A fall at work is never good, but a fall from heights in the midst of an already dangerous job can be devastating. A typical Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) includes three components often described as the ABC’s of fall protection, Anchorage, Body Wear, and Connectors. In this blog, we’ll walk through each of these components plus the additional ‘D’ of fall protection, deceleration devices. Here’s the summary:

• A = Anchorage: Where you tie off.
• B = Body Wear: Your full-body harness
• C = Connectors: Lanyards, SRLs, carabiners—whatever links you to the anchor.
• D = Deceleration Devices: The hardware that actually arrests (slows) a fall and keeps impact forces within safe limits.

When you nail down the ABCs (Anchor, Body, Connect) and the D (Deceleration), you build a full-circuit fall protection system that works where your crew works—rain or shine, rooftop or rigging.

A is for Anchorage: Where You Tie Off

An anchor is a secure point of attachment for a fall protection system—essentially the backbone that holds everything in place when a worker is tied off. Because anchor requirements vary by industry, job, and type of installation, it’s important to match your anchor to your work environment. For example:

• Commercial Roofing: Often uses roof plate anchors bolted through decking into structural supports.
• Steel Erection: Frequently relies on beam clamps, cross arm or beam strap anchors, or welded D-rings attached to steel girders.
• Scaffolding or Renewable Installations: May employ scaffold-mounted anchors or portable davit posts that clamp onto existing frames.
• Masonry and Restoration: Often uses work platforms, whether powered mobile platforms or manual swing-stage types, and employs roof-mounted fall protection anchors, parapet anchors, and VLA’s (Vertical Lifeline Assemblies).

 

Anchorage points must support at least 5,000 pounds per worker or be part of a system designed to reduce loads to acceptable limits. Choosing the right anchor means matching your environment: rooftop, steel frame, or scaffold.

Fixed Anchors vs. Mobile Anchors

Anchors come in two broad categories: fixed and mobile. Fixed anchors are permanently installed points that are welded, bolted or embedded into a structure. Common examples are roof plate anchors, beam clamps, and embedded concrete anchors. Fixed anchors suit permanent installation, but many contractors need flexibility. That’s where mobile fall protection comes in. 

Mobile fall protection offers more flexible anchor points and are ideal for large rooftop projects, short-term jobs, or if multiple teams are working on the same project. Common examples of mobile anchor points are portable davit posts, anchor bases and mobile fall protection trailers.

Explore the XSERIES: At Malta Dynamics, we understand that jobsite demands change by the hour. Our XSERIES mobile fall protection trailers deliver turnkey anchorage—no engineering, no delays, no guesswork. These are ready to use within minutes, and each XSERIES delivers 3rd party-tested, reliable, and portable overhead anchorage.

 

B is for Body Wear: The Full-Body Harness

A full body harness connects the worker to the fall protection system. It works in alignment with all other components of your PFAS by positioning the D-ring between the shoulder blades so that if a fall occurs, the worker is safe and upright. Without a properly fit harness, even the strongest anchor and lifeline cannot protect you during a fall.

Full Body Harness Features:

• Adjustable Strap System: Quickly tighten or loosen shoulder, chest, torso, and leg straps for a secure, custom fit.
• Comfort Padding: Harnesses with cushioned panels can increase comfort and decrease fatigue, ensuring you are as sharp on your last hour of work as your first.
• Load-Distributing Design: Reinforced webbing spreads fall forces across torso and thighs to minimize impact to one area of the body.
• Size and Fit Indicators: Printed measurements on straps ensure correct sizing at a glance.

Pro Tip: Never assume a one-size-fits-all approach. Check the chest, waist, and leg straps for snugness—you should be able to slide a flat hand between the harness webbing and your body, but not a fist. Ensure the harness is not so snug that it prevents you from moving normally. Raise your hands high, and then bend down to touch your toes while standing. Ensure your full body harness does not prevent those actions.

At Malta Dynamics, we design our full body harnesses with rugged webbing and reinforced D-rings that meet ANSI Z359.11. When your crew straps in for a rooftop install or high-angle steel erection, they get the fit and comfort they need to focus on the work, not the gear.

C is for Connector: The Link To The Anchor and Harness

Connectors link your harness to the anchor. The common connectors are lanyards, carabiners, and SRLs and all must meet strict load and performance criteria. A weak link here can break the entire fall protection system.

Lanyards vs. Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs)

• Lanyards: Lanyards are fixed-length straps with energy absorbers that deploy in a fall, limiting impact for work with minimal vertical travel—ideal for scaffold setups or short roof edges.
• SRLs: SRLs use a spring-loaded reel that locks within inches of a fall, reducing free-fall distance and impact force compared to lanyards.

Important Connector Considerations

• Choose locking snap hooks rated for at least 5,000 pounds.
• Before each use, check connectors for cracks, bends, or corrosion.

 

D is for Deceleration: Stay Safe During a Fall

If your team does have a fall, deceleration devices are the components that slow and control your fall before you reach the ground. Some common deceleration devices include:

• Energy-Absorbing Lanyards: These are designed for overhead anchorage and have a built-in shock pack that “unpacks” under load, stretching just enough to keep impact forces below roughly 900 lbs of Maximum Average Arresting Force (MAAF), and will not exceed 1800 lbs of peak force in a 6-foot lanyard. In a fall, that webbing tears in a controlled way so you don’t experience a sudden, devastating jolt.
• Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs): Although often thought of as “connectors,” SRLs also serve as deceleration devices because their internal brake locks within inches of a fall. By locking almost instantly, an SRL limits free-fall distance and dramatically reduces impact force.
• Shock Packs or Deceleration Units: Sometimes attached between a lanyard and the connector, these specialized devices deploy during a fall and absorb energy in a step-by-step tear.

Choosing the Right Fall Protection System

Picking the right gear starts with figuring out what your jobsite really needs. At Malta Dynamics, we know that a “one-size-fits-all” approach doesn’t cut it—your crew deserves solutions that match real-world conditions and keep you compliant. Here’s a simpler way to zero in on the perfect setup:

1. Check Out Your Site Hazards

Take a walk with your crew and a safety pro. Map out every spot someone could fall—edges of roofs, open floors, steel beams, or tight tanks.

Map out how far someone could drop

Measure the distance from the walking/working surface to the level below, consider any object that a worker may contact during a fall, then calculate free fall, the arresting distance of your PFAS components, and include a minimum of 2 feet as a safety factor. Compare the distances and adjust gear, anchorage location, or work method if the actual distance is less than the clearance required.

Free Fall Distance = Arresting Distance + 2 Feet

Map out where people are working

Knowing exactly where the risks are helps you pick anchors (Component A) and connectors (Component C) that actually fit the space. For example, if your crew’s crawling through a steel frame, a Class 2-P SRL plus a beam clamp probably makes more sense than a simple rooftop hook. 

Always consult a Qualified Person before anchoring.

 

2. Match Gear to Your Environment

Once you know the hazards, pick parts that work best together:

Anchorage (A):

• Fixed options: Roof plates or beam clamps are great when crews work in the same spot all day.
• Mobile options: Our XSERIES trailers roll out in minutes and give you tie-off points on any concrete, steel, or wood deck—perfect if your crew moves a lot.

Body Wear (B):

• Full body harnesses: Make sure they have sturdy webbing, reinforced D-rings, and fit like a glove so you can move without feeling like a toy strapped to a tree.

Connectors (C):

• Lanyards vs. SRLs: In some situations, a lanyard with an energy absorber might be sufficient, but if you’re roaming a big roof or climbing towers, an SRL gives you hands-free movement and stops you with a short freefall distance. Remember, a shock-absorbing lanyard has a freefall distance of the exact length of the lanyard, usually 6 feet. SRLs stop freefall significantly shorter, a few inches to a foot, reducing the likelihood of injury if used properly., 

Deceleration Devices (D):

• Energy absorbers: These deploy to slow your fall. Some are internally configured in SRLs, some are external ‘shock packs’ on lanyards or SRLs.

 

3. Keep the Rules in Mind

OSHA 1926 lays out the minimum must-haves, but sometimes you’ll want to go a step further:

• Working on a leading edge? You need a Class 2 (or 2-P) SRL—those are built to handle edges that could slice through a regular lifeline.
• Anchors overhead? They’ve got to handle at least 5,000 lbs per worker, or you need a system engineered by a qualified person.
• Rescue plan required: OSHA wants you to have a written plan showing exactly how you’ll get someone down quickly if they’re hanging after a fall.

 

Get An Expert Opinion

Even if you’ve done this a hundred times, it pays to run your plan by a fall protection specialist. At Malta, our team of experts can help you build a complete ABCD system that fits your site. With the right setup in place, your crew spends less time wrestling gear and more time working—safely.

Once you have your gear, remember to train your team and inspect your gear regularly. Falls can be dangerous but are much more manageable with a team that knows what to do.

 

Get the ABCDs Right

Fall protection comes down to getting your ABCDs right. Nail each component and you’ve built a complete system that keeps your crew tied off and working confidently at any height.

• A – Anchorage: Pick a secure tie-off point—fixed roof plates, beam clamps, or mobile XSERIES trailers—that meets 5,000-lb requirements and fits your workspace.
• B – Body Wear: Wear a well-fitted full-body harness that positions the D-ring correctly and spreads forces across your torso and legs.
• C – Connectors: Choose lanyards or SRLs rated for your tasks; locking snap hooks, twist-lock carabiners, and swivel hooks keep your link to the anchor strong and tangle-free.
• D – Deceleration Devices: Use energy-absorbing lanyards or SRLs that lock within inches to slow a fall safely, and consider rescue-enabled units if you need built-in retrieval.

When it comes to fall protection, second best isn’t an option. Whether you’re outfitting a new crew or upgrading existing gear, Malta Dynamics has the fall protection solutions you need. Contact our experts for site-specific recommendations, or browse our full line of XSERIES trailers, harnesses, SRLs, and other fall protection gear, field-tested and field-approved by workers just like you.