Basic Requirements of a Fall Restraint System

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, tall buildings have begun rising in different parts of the world. The tallest manmade structure today is called the Burj Khalifa, rising to a height of 828 meters at the heart of a large-scale development site in Dubai. This structure is said to be one of the greatest achievements of man in the field of architecture and engineering. This accomplishment challenges other countries to construct even taller buildings. Construction workers for high-rise buildings like the Burj Khalifa are regularly exposed to the risks of falling. Construction companies for such projects are compelled to provide effective fall restraint systems that protect workers from encountering accidents caused by falls or at least minimize the impact of falls. The use of fall restraint systems is specified under the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Code of Federal Regulations as a requirement in the construction of tall buildings. Under general structural codes, fall restraint protection must consist of several essential properties. All components such as safety belts and lanyard hardware assemblies must have a tolerable tensile stress created by at least 1814.06-kilogram loads. This means that under this amount of stress, the belts and lanyard must not break or permanently deform. Some devices such as rope grab are not applicable for fall restraint purposes, unless they are components of the fall restraint system. Manufacturers are very specific about the functions of each part of the fall protection system and users should strictly observe the instructions. If there are extra components needed from other sources, the construction company must ensure these are compatible with the primary components. Fall restraint systems are typically textile, so these are prone to mold buildup. Any fungus accumulation can cause severe damage on the ropes and other materials secreted by the parasites. The systems must also be inspected for other forms of wear and damage to ensure maximum safety for the users. The fall restraint systems must be able to carry four times its intended load. The designed extension is projected for the additional loads that the system may be required to carry during its use. The system must be assembled only as far as the edge of the building or surface an individual works on. This prevents workers from accidentally slipping over the edge.