Fall Protection SRLs

From construction workers and roofers to electricians and window washers, millions of people work at dangerous heights every day. For these workers, falling from a height is a major risk, and for many of them, their only line of defense is their fall protection equipment, which commonly includes self-retracting lifelines (SRLs).

What is an SRL in Fall Protection?

Self-retracting lifelines — also known as retractable fall arresters, fall arrest lifelines, fall protection yoyos, fall arrest blocks and self-retracting lanyards — can detect when a worker begins to fall and stops the rope, thereby preventing the serious injury or death that may have otherwise occurred. Needless to say, these devices are essential for the safety of any employee working at a height.

In this guide, we’ll explain how self-retracting lifelines work and give an overview of the different fall protection SRL products Malta Dynamics offers.

Why You Need a Self-Retracting Lifeline From Malta Dynamics

There are many reasons to buy SRL fall protection from Malta Dynamics, including:

• We have a wide selection: From construction to aviation, we produce products for many different applications and industries. Chances are, we make SRLs for your industry, too.
• We understand our customers’ specific needs: At Malta Dynamics, we have experience working in the industries we provide safety solutions for. We are well acquainted with the safety risks in your industry and have developed sophisticated solutions to mitigate those risks.
• We have exceptionally high standards: Our products are extremely high-quality — so high-quality, in fact, that they exceed the safety requirements set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
• We can teach you how to use the products: Even if you buy the highest-quality SRLs on the market, it won’t matter if you and your team don’t know how to use them properly. If your team is not familiar with fall protection lifeline systems, they will need training — which we can provide.

Different Offerings of Self-Retracting Lifelines

By quickly browsing our product page, it’s clear we offer an abundance of options for retracting lanyards. To make your search for the right fall protection SRL easier, we’ve arranged our products into the following categories:

• SRL connector kits: Malta Dynamics offers numerous SRL Connector Kits that include Pygmy Hog Self-Retracting Lifelines. Our kits are the highest-quality mini retractables available. Exceptionally lightweight, these portable kits can work in both stationary and mobile applications. The Pygmy is available with various connector configurations and can function as one unit or in a kit of two personal units. These kits are available in both 6- and 11-foot lengths and with various hooks, including a steel snap hook or rebar hook.
• Hybrid Hog Series SRLs: The Hybrid Hog SRLs meet the strict American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z359.14-2014 requirements for Class A and B. Malta offers this equipment in lengths of 20 or 30 feet.
• Leading Edge SRLs: Leading Edge retractable lifelines from Malta provide workers with sharp-edge and foot-level tie-off applications. These lightweight and compact SRLs come with a quick-action brake system, a swivel top and a slide lifeline exit with an ergonomic rubber handle. They’re available in 8-, 10-, 20-, 30- and 50-foot lengths, all of which come with snap hooks. We also offer double retractable lanyard versions of Leading Edge Lifelines, which are available in 8′ and 11′ lengths.
• Web SRLs: The new Pygmy Hog Web SRL from Malta is made using a tough webbing lifeline. Other features include a peri form hook, a swivel top and durable, lightweight polymer housing. This SRL also has a quick-action brake system and consists of lightweight, non-corrosive components. Malta Dynamics’ Web SRLs are all 11 feet in length and are available with a rebar hook or snap hook.
• Mini retractables: Measuring just 8 feet in length and extremely lightweight, the portable Pygmy Hog Self-Retracting Lifeline can be used in stationary and mobile applications. The Pygmy Hog SRL can function in a kit of two or as a single unit. This retractable harness lanyard is available with a steel snap hook or rebar hook.
• Heavy-duty SRLs: The Razorback™ Heavy-Duty 30-foot Self-Retracting Lifeline includes a cutting-edge quick-action brake system. These SRLs are made from lightweight, non-corrosive parts and are the most durable SRLs on the market. The cable consists of galvanized steel, the housing is durable aluminum and the hook is alloy steel. The Razorback is available in 20– and 30-foot lengths.
• Rebar hooks: Our SRL fall protection features various hook types, with rebar hooks being one of the most popular. Some of our most popular products equipped with rebar hooks include the Pygmy Hog 11-foot Web SRL and the Pygmy Hog 6-foot SFL.
• Steel snap hooks: We also offer numerous SRLs with steel snap hooks, with the most popular item being the Pygmy Hog 11-foot SRL.
• Simple tag lines: The Tag Line from Malta Dynamics attaches to an SRL overhead, allowing workers on the ground to access it for enhanced safety. The Tag Line features a built-in point of attachment for the SRL’s hook, enabling easy, fast connections. The Tag Line’s lightweight, compact design facilitates easy installation, removal and reinstallation, improving safety and productivity. Our tag lines are available in 30- and 50-foot lengths.

Why Is Malta Dynamics the Leader in the Industry?

Malta stands out in the fall protection industry for our safety harness yoyos for many reasons, including:

• We provide fall protection solutions for a wide variety of industries: Our fall protection harnesses, safety gear and PPE  products serve customers in a wide range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, aviation, masonry, warehousing and much more.
• We know the industries we provide solutions for: Our employees have worked in these industries for over 30 years, and we use our own products. We make the safety services and equipment we wish had existed 30 years ago. Our sales force and management team also are familiar with these industries and understand your needs.
• Our products exceed federal requirements: Our high-quality equipment has safety standards even higher than those set by OSHA, ensuring you stay compliant with the necessary safety regulations.
• We are dedicated to superior customer service: We believe the customer always comes first, and we offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for all of our products.
• We are committed to improvement: We are dedicated to continuously improving and refining our products for your safety and satisfaction.

How Do Self-Retracting Lifelines Work?

SRLs are a type of lanyard enabling users to freely move around in an area. It will roll out and retract in response to the user’s movement. It retracts to make sure the lifeline is constantly taut. When the yoyo harness detects an abrupt increase in speed — such as during a fall — an automatic speed brake will be activated, stopping the fall.

Seatbelt-Like Design

For the above reason, the SRL is commonly compared to a seatbelt. If you pull the seatbelt lightly, it rolls out smoothly and retracts to a tight fit once you release it. If you pull it abruptly, such as when the car has to make a sudden stop, the system will lock, which ensures you don’t fly out of your seat. SRLs function in more or less the same way by stopping falls and minimizing the forces imposed on the worker when falling.

Applications

SRLs are frequently used in industrial applications where employees must work at heights, including:

• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Transportation
• Building maintenance
• Building cleaning
• Steel production
• Mining

Situations involving SRL fall protection can be categorized as either fall restraint or fall arrest devices:

• Fall arrest: A fall arrest situation is one where a user can fall off a structure, but their safety equipment will stop them from falling. If the user has fallen off the structure from a height, a rescue plan should kick in. To avoid further injury, the user must be rescued quickly and safely. SRLs are commonly used in fall arrest systems, with overhead anchorage being the most common application.
• Fall restraint: In fall restraint situations, a user cannot access areas where there is a risk of falling. If working with a safety yoyo, its unrolled length cannot be any longer than the distance between the anchorage point and the edge.

Overhead Use

A common example of an overhead SRL application is when working on steel beams in factory halls or stadiums. SRLs minimize the fall distance by stopping the fall almost instantly. If the anchor point is located directly over the worker, this also limits swing falls.

Horizontal Use

SRLs can also be utilized in conjunction with a permanently installed fall protection system, like a horizontal lifeline fall protection system or a single anchor point system. Never forget to look at the manufacturer specifications regarding self-retracting lifeline horizontal use.

If you use an SRL horizontally, be aware of the following two things:

• Sharp or leading edges: The SRL you use must have a cable with sharp edge protection, which prevents tearing, such as the Leading Edge SRLs.
• Required fall clearance: If the SRL is anchored at the level of the user’s feet, the necessary fall clearance must be carefully considered. With a lower anchored lanyard, the user can fall farther down before the lanyard’s speed-sensing brake detects and arrests the fall, compared to when the lanyard is anchored overhead.

However, there are also situations where a permanent solution cannot be installed, like during construction. In this case, workers can use a steel sling, which allows them to attach to fixtures such as a structural column.

SRL Components

An SRL is comprised of a hard casing holding either steel wire rope or polyester webbing. The cable is attached to a carabiner, scaffold hook or snap hook, which attaches the lanyard to a full body harness.

Some devices feature snap hooks with fall indicators, which let users know the device has already been activated and can no longer be used. This fall indicator shows whether an SRL has been involved in a fall. There is usually a red marking activated to signal this.

The casing also houses the braking mechanism that arrests the fall. An inspection of this brake system must be performed every year. If an SRL has been involved in a falling accident, it must be removed from service for re-certification to ensure safe usage and adequate worker protection.

Types of SRL Hooks

It’s vital to choose the right SRL hooks for your applications. Selecting the correct equipment for jobs contributes to your efficiency and ensures your workers can perform tasks safely. Review the following fall protection lanyard hook varieties to help you decide which option would work best for your team:

Standard Snap SRL Hooks

Professionals commonly use snap hooks for their user-friendliness. As the name implies, users can open and close the hook with a simple snap. Manufacturers typically use aluminum to create standard snap SRL hooks because the material is rugged yet lightweight.

Steel Snap SRL Hooks

A steel snap SRL hook functions the same as standard snap varieties. The only difference is in the materials used to make the self-retracting lifeline hooks. Steel is incredibly strong and resists bending. These characteristics mean it’s common to see professionals using steel snap SRL hooks to support more significant amounts of weight.

Rebar SRL Hooks

Construction workers typically use rebar SRL hooks for an easy setup process. Rebar SRL hooks feature a wider gate opening compared to snap SRL hook types. Sometimes, crews refer to this technology as scaffold hooks or pelican hooks.

Tie-Back Carabiner Hooks

Tie-back carabiner hooks look and work similarly to standard snap SRL hooks. However, these hook types give you the option to configure your lanyard into an anchor point. Both rebar and tie-back carabiner hooks can be purchased in aluminum and steel materials for flexibility during your jobs.

Comfort and Safety Are Key

At Malta Dynamics, it is our mission to provide the safest, most reliable equipment solutions so everyone on your job site returns home without injury.

We are aware of how many work-related injuries and fatalities result from falling incidents. Falls to a lower level account for the third-highest type of fatal workplace event, and most of these accidents could have been prevented with lifeline fall protection. These types of falls often result in a median number of 22 days away from work, and 33% of the non-fatal injuries affect the lower extremities such as the legs. In 2019 alone, 711 workers died from falling from a height.

If the above statistics don’t convince you of the importance of fall protection equipment, here are some additional reasons:

• It’s required by federal law: ANSI and OSHA have established numerous regulations for high-risk work. Working at great heights, there will inherently be fall hazards, so these organizations have imposed various guidelines regarding fall protection.
• It will protect your business: Companies have to be aware of accidents that could occur on the job and the liabilities that come with them. These accidents can negatively affect your company’s reputation and strain your business financially. People prefer businesses that work safely, and minimizing injuries will help your projects stay on schedule.
• Your workers matter: No matter what industry you’re in, your employees work hard to finish the job. They support your operational goals, and they have inherent value. Show them you care by having them all use fall protection equipment. Because fall protection devices such as construction yoyos are designed with user comfort in mind, using them will likely mean your workers will be happier and feel more protected.

Ensure Worker Safety With Malta Dynamics

At Malta Dynamics, our commitment to safety is reflected in the extensive selection of high-quality, reliable fall protection equipment we offer. If you want to adhere to industry safety regulations, protect your company from liability and — most importantly — keep your team safe on whatever project they take on, you can count on Malta Dynamics for your safety solutions. Whether you need extra harness options or would like to invest in a complete fall arrest system, we’ve got you covered. We can also help you out with custom protection solutions.

Feel free to browse our above offerings and check out some of our best-selling products, which include the Dual 6-foot Pygmy Hog SRL with Connector Kit and the Leading Edge 30-foot with Snap Hook. If you’re interested in buying items in bulk for your team, get in touch with us online or call (855) 493-5366 regarding our bulk order discounts. We look forward to helping your team enhance their workplace safety!

SRL FAQs

Read through the following questions for further information about self-retracting lifelines:

1. At What Height Do I Require Fall Protection Equipment?

Professionals in the construction industry require fall protection equipment starting at 6′ for compliance. Team members working in general industries must use SRLs and the correct lanyard hook types at 4′ for their safety.

2. Are SRLs From Malta Dynamics Eligible for Repairs?

It is recommended that teams replace SRLs when they do not pass an inspection by an experienced professional. Replacing your worn equipment is the best way to make sure each part of the self-retracting lifeline system works as intended.

Malta Dynamics products can be repaired, but you must reach out to a qualified professional with experience working with SRLs for dependable results. Repairs are mandatory under the following circumstances:

• The SRL has supported the weight of a fallen worker.
• The hook on the SRL has been deemed inoperable.
• There are multiple kinks across SRL cabling.
• A competent person finds the SRL cabling unable to engage during testing.

3. How Do I Clean My Self-Retracting Lifeline?

Users may wipe off self-retracting lifelines with a damp sponge. Use a mild soap or detergent with water to lift stubborn grime. Once you remove the dirt, be sure to dry the device completely with a towel. Do not submerge self-retracting lifelines in water to keep your investment operating as it should.

4. Are Self-Retracting Lifelines Suitable for Leading Edge Jobs?

A self-retracting lifeline must be tested and approved for leading edge specific applications prior to use. Malta Dynamics labels our SRLs for sale to make the shopping experience straightforward. Generally, a leading edge SRL features more robust cables and wear-resistant parts. These SRL types also have energy-absorbing technology inside the system to effectively break falls.

5. What Types of Hooks Come With Malta Dynamics SRLs?

Our SRL offerings have detailed product descriptions with specifications. Our team mentions whether you’ll receive a snap or rebar hook with other essential information. Most product names also state what type of hook comes with your purchase for convenience and transparency.

6. Is There an Expiration Date for Fall Protection Equipment?

Fall protection equipment like SRLs must be reviewed by a competent person before each use. This individual will deem each component in the fall protection system safe or unsafe after the inspection.

There are no OSHA or ANSI regulations that require manufacturers to include a length of service document with fall protection equipment purchases. Therefore, it is up to a competent person to inspect parts’ condition and decide when they need repair or replacement.

7. Should I Use Fall Protection Equipment on Ladders?

OSHA and ANSI do not have specific standards for construction employees working on portable ladders. Your workers will not have to be tied off while using collapsible ladders, but you can use Malta Dynamics fall protection equipment in these scenarios for extra caution.

Businesses are free to exceed OSHA and ANSI standards, but you will not receive a fine if your team members do not use fall protection equipment around portable ladders.

8. Class 1 vs Class 2 SRLs

Class 1 SRLs are designed for overhead use and are best suited when the anchorage point is directly above the user. They can only be used on overhead anchorages and are subjected to a maximum free fall of 2 feet or less.

Class 2 SRLs can be used in applications where overhead anchorages may not be available or feasible, such as construction sites. They can anchor at, above, or up to 5 feet below a dorsal D-ring tie-off and can withstand a free fall of no more than 6 feet over an edge. Class 2 SRLs also have a retractable lifeline that is tested and rated for use within leading edge environments. Class 2 devices also require safety labels that include a fall clearance chart and a diagram of the axes