A fall arrest block, also known as an inertia reel, is a personal protective equipment (PPE) device that is used to prevent serious injury or death in the event of a fall from height. Fall arrest devices like this only kick in when a fall occurs, locking the lifeline and catching the wearer before they hit the ground.
Fall arrest systems, like fall arrest blocks, should only be used as a last resort when there is no way to easily prevent or eliminate the risk of a fall.
To learn more about fall arrest blocks and how they work, keep reading this blog!
How Fall Arrest Blocks Work:
A fall arrest block works like a car's seatbelt, feeding out a lifeline and locking it in the event of a sudden, rapid pull caused by a fall.
Inside the protective housing of the arrest block, a spring system constantly pulls the lifeline or webbing, keeping it under light tension. This ensures that the lifeline is kept short, reducing the distance the user could fall before the system engages.
When working using a fall arrest system, the lifeline should smoothly retract and release, allowing the user to work freely.
In the event of a fall, the lifeline is pulled out of the block at high speeds, triggering an internally activated brake. This brake will lock the line, which stops the fall and prevents the user from impacting the ground or structures below.
Important Things to Consider When Using Fall Arrest Blocks
It is crucial that your fall arrest block is attached to a strong, reliable anchor point that can withstand the forces of a fall.
You must ensure there is enough clear fall distance below the worker to accommodate the free fall distance, deceleration distance and a safety factor. This is vital to ensure that the lanyard doesn’t stretch so far that the worker hits the level below in the event of a fall.
Always check the manufacturer's recommendations to ensure your fall arrest block is being used for its intended application (e.g. vertical, horizontal, or specific edge conditions).
If you have any questions about our range of fall arrest blocks and how to use them, get in touch with us at Safety Harness Direct today and a member of our team will be happy to help!
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