When you take advantage of our fall protection lanyards combined with our anchors and harnesses, you can keep workers safe and maintain a reputation for prioritizing safety in all you do. These systems also help you comply with federal regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). There’s no reason to take a risk when you can get the job done with one of our lanyards keeping you protected.

Why You Need a Safety Lanyard From Malta Dynamics

A fall protection rope, or lanyard, is a safety device to prevent injury from falls. A misstep or slip may not mean much when you’re working on the ground level, but what if you’re working on a rooftop or another elevated surface? In these instances, the proper equipment can prevent falls or reduce the potential injury from an accident. 

That’s why OSHA requires workers to have fall protection in place whenever they’re working at elevations of 4 feet for general industry or 6 feet in construction. Other industries have their own cutoffs for fall protection, with the maximum being 8 feet. OSHA also requires fall protection whenever a worker is above dangerous machinery, regardless of how high up they are.

Despite the importance of fall protection, OSHA’s standard requiring this protection has consistently been the most frequently violated standard year after year over the past decade. Falls are a serious issue, but they are preventable with the right equipment. You need fall protection equipment because:

• It’s required by federal regulations.
• It’s good for your business’s reputation and bottom line.
• It protects workers and shows them you value their safety.

How Does a Lanyard Work?

A lanyard is a type of connector, a component that’s part of a personal fall arrest system (PFAS). These systems are designed to safely stop a fall before a worker can reach the surface below them. Lanyards for fall protection work with three components: 

1. An anchor that attaches to the work surface or an overhead object
2. A full body harness that a worker wears
3. A connector that links the worker’s harness to the anchor

These components work together to keep workers safe when they’re working at elevations. If a worker were to trip or lose their balance and start to fall from a rooftop, for example, they could only descend as far as the lanyard will allow before it becomes taut. At this point, the worker’s fall would be stopped, allowing them to safely regain their footing. 

Another type of connector is known as a self-retracting lifeline (SRL). These connectors may also be referred to as self-retracting lanyards, though they are not the same as a standard lanyard. Self-retracting lanyards are rolled up, or retracted, by default and unfurl as workers move farther away from the anchorage. They also retract in response to a worker’s movement and, if they detect sudden movement from a fall, will engage a speed break. 

Standard lanyards differ from self-retracting options in that they do not retract to remain taut at all times. In other words, when a worker equipped with a lanyard is nearer to the anchorage, there will be slack in the line, and the line will become tauter as the worker moves farther away from the anchorage. The slack is minimized, though, with a stretch lanyard.

Shock-absorbing lanyards don’t just stop falls. They also absorb the energy of a fall. Most lanyards include webbing that will tear or stretch when a worker is falling — and not if they’re simply pulling on the lanyard. This feature minimizes the impact of a fall on a worker.

Types of Lanyards for Fall Protection

There are several safety harness lanyard types. With the exception of the tool lanyard, these types all share a common purpose. Tool lanyards allow you to hold onto tools with the help of a line attached to your tool belt or wrist. This device prevents tools from falling, which saves workers from inconvenience and saves people below from possible injuries.

If you’re shopping for a fall protection lanyard, consider the following options. 

Internal vs. External Shock Absorption

If you only need your lanyard to serve as a restraint and not for arresting falls, then you can depend on a restraint lanyard, which may also be called a fall protection rope lanyard. Other lanyards are fall arrest lanyards, meaning they’re designed to safely stop a fall in progress and absorb shock from the fall. Shock-absorbing lanyards include special material that deploys during a fall, lengthening the lanyard.

The shock-absorbing device can either be on the outside of the lanyard or contained within the lanyard. On external shock absorbers, you’ll see a shock absorption pack as a separate part of the lanyard. Internal shock absorbers look ruffled on the outside. The extra material allows the lanyard to lengthen if the shock absorber inside is deployed. Neither option is superior to the other, though some people prefer external shock absorbers because they are easier to inspect. 

Single-Leg vs. Double-Leg

Another way to differentiate between different lanyards is in the number of “legs,” or lines, they include. Single-leg lanyards connect to a single anchor and allow the worker to move within the surrounding area of the anchor. These lanyards are a great option in many instances.

When you need more range of movement in a space with multiple anchors, a double-leg lanyard may be preferable. These lanyards have two connecting legs that extend from a worker’s harness. These lanyards are often referred to as Y- or V-lanyards or as double-hook lanyards. This system allows 100% tie-off, where you to switch which anchor you’re attached to without ever being disconnected during the transition. 

Stretch vs. Non-Stretch 

Another product feature you’ll find on some lanyards is a stretchy material on the legs. Non-stretch lanyards do not have an elastic quality — they will only extend if the shock absorber deploys. 

Stretch lanyards, however, are designed to stretch as a person pulls on the lanyard. For example, the lanyard may be 4.5 feet long when at rest but gain an additional 1.5 feet when outstretched. Some workers prefer stretch lanyards because they can help reduce possible tripping hazards by minimizing extra length. 

Hook Styles

You’ll also find that different lanyards come with different hook styles. One lanyard hook will attach to the worker’s body harness and the other hook will attach to the anchorage. The best hook style depends on your preferences and what you’re hooking onto. The styles we offer include:

• Peri form hooks
• Rebar hooks
• Snap hooks

Why Malta Dynamics Is a Trusted Source for Lanyards

Malta Dynamics is a trusted source for fall protection equipment. Since our company’s inception, we’ve been creating the products we wish we had — products that perfectly combine efficiency, durability and affordability.

We set ourselves apart from our competitors in the way we create equipment and accessories we use ourselves every day. Our team has extensive experience in industries like construction, warehousing, masonry and more. So we understand how critical the right gear is to keep you protected on the job.

Achieve Comfort and Safety for Workers With Lanyards From Malta Dynamics

Our products are designed for safety, of course. But they’re also designed for maximum comfort. You’ll really notice that perk with our full body harnesses. If equipment is uncomfortable to wear or gets in your way while you’re working, you can expect some frustration and a lack of efficiency. We help you avoid this scenario. Both comfort and safety are key to creating the very best fall protection equipment.

If you’re ready to equip yourself or your workers with a lanyard from Malta Dynamics and aren’t sure which one you want, consider one of our top sellers. Both of these options feature one steel snap hook and two rebar hooks:

• 4.5′ to 6′ Double-Leg Internal Shock-Absorbing Lanyard
• 6′ Double-Leg External Shock-Absorbing Lanyard

Both of these lanyards are designed to keep you consistently protected with 100% tie-off and are made with quality materials. You can expect durable materials and a best-in-class design from all our lanyards. If you have any questions about which product would work best for your needs, chat with us online or contact us by phone or email. Our team is here to help you get the right fall protection products for your crew.