Why Is a 1.8m Lanyard Length Ideal for Safety Harnesses? Seeking Insights and Reasons

Understanding the Ideal Lanyard Length for Safety Harnesses

We are advising the use of a safety harness with a lanyard length of 1.8m for all our employees. Why should we buy a safety harness with a lanyard length of 1.8m only? Why not less than this or more than this, like 1.5m, 2m, or 3m? What is the exact reason behind keeping the ideal lanyard length at 1.8 meters? Please shed some light on the topic.

Thanks in advance.

The term used to define the length is called Fall Clearance. The definition of the same is as follows:

In arresting a fall in a controlled manner, the distance required to arrest the fall must be considered. Federal OSHA limits the fall distance to six feet unless the specific system is designed by a "qualified person" meeting the requirements of OSHA 29CFR1910.66 Appendix C. The user also may not fall so as to strike protrusions or adjoining walls during the six-foot fall.

The safe fall distance is a function of the "fall factor" and the deployment of the "energy absorbers." As a rule of thumb, for a factor two fall, a fall distance of approximately six meters will be required. This is equivalent to two stories of a building. If the fall clearance is less than this, the worker may strike the ground before the fall is arrested.

I will try to get the Appendix C...

Dear KVS, It's so nice to see you back in the forum discussions after a long time. You always provide great input and assistance. Thank you for that.

In the sentence from the link you shared: "Free fall considerations." The employer and employee should always be aware that a system's maximum arresting force is evaluated under normal use conditions established by the manufacturer, and in no case using a free fall distance in excess of six feet (1.8 m). A few extra feet of free fall can significantly increase the arresting force on the employee, possibly causing injury.

Now, my question is, instead of 1.8m, would a 1.5m lanyard be more effective? Why not a 1m lanyard? This would minimize the free fall. Could you please clarify my doubt?

Types of Safety Harnesses in Use

Another practical issue I am considering is the use of two types of safety harnesses in our plant currently:

- Full Body Safety Harness with Double Lanyard and Scaffolding Hook
- Full Body Safety Harness with Energy Absorber Double Lanyard and Scaffolding Hook.

The second harness is recommended for use above 6 meters, where there is a free fall distance greater than 6 meters as the energy absorber's stretched webbing will open in the event of a fall.

For the first harness, we may suggest its use from 1.8m up to 6 meters. What are the implications if we continue using it above 6 meters?

Practical Example: Scaffolding Erection

Let's consider a practical example: a group of workers is erecting scaffolding up to a height of 10 meters. Which type of safety harness should we recommend for them to wear? The first one or the second one? It's not feasible to switch between harnesses mid-task, nor is it practical to issue two harnesses to a single worker.

I look forward to hearing the views of other forum members on this matter. Hope to find a solid solution to this problem through the forum.

Regards,

Impact of Falling from Heights

The result of the force on the human body will be worse when falling from a height greater than 1.8 meters. The energy equation is represented as K = mgh, where m stands for mass (weight of the person), g for gravity force, and h for height. Therefore, the calculation would be 70 x 9.81 x 1.8 = 1236.

Does anyone have any questions regarding this or whether this calculation is correct?

Regards, Vijay