Retractable fall arrester or lanyard - which is better?

When a retractable arrester beats a lanyard

A self-retracting lifeline (SRL) to EN 360 works like a car seatbelt: the webbing pays out freely but locks the moment it senses sudden acceleration, from about 4.5 m/s. A shock-absorbing lanyard to EN 355 is instead a fixed-length connector, usually 2 m, that dissipates energy by tearing open a stitched absorber pack.

The decisive difference is the fall distance. A lanyard needs up to 6 m of clearance below your feet, because the 2 m connector plus the deploying absorber plus body height and a safety margin all add up. An SRL locks within a few decimetres, so the free fall stays short.

• Retractable arrester: short fall distance, ideal where clearance is limited and mobility matters.
• Shock-absorbing lanyard: simple and robust, but needs a lot of room below.
• The SRL keeps the line taut at all times and reduces trip hazards from slack webbing.
• For horizontal movement with an edge risk, only edge-tested devices are permitted.

Which webbing length and anchor point?

Retractable arresters come with extensions from roughly 1.8 m to over 20 m. Compact plastic-housing units cover the classic overhead fall, while long steel-cable or webbing units follow movement over greater distances. More important than sheer length is where the anchor point sits.

• Place the anchor as vertically above the head as possible (fall factor 1).
• Avoid swing falls: a sideways offset creates a dangerous pendulum against obstacles.
• Use only approved anchor devices to EN 795 with at least 12 kN load capacity.
• For a low anchor point, check the manufacturer release (fall factor 2).

What does EN 360-A edge testing mean?

If the webbing runs over an edge during a fall, it can be cut like on a blade. That is why the supplement EN 360-A (formerly known as RfU CNB/P/11.060) tests the device over a defined steel edge with radius r = 0.5 mm. Only devices with this release may be used where the line can run over a sharp edge.

• Edge-tested devices carry the mark EN 360-A or an edge symbol.
• The 0.5 mm edge radius matches a typical sharp trapezoidal-sheet or steel-beam edge.
• Without the A release, edge contact risks severing the webbing.
• An added edge protector or deflection sling improves safety further.

When is a retrieval function worth it?

Some retractable arresters include an integrated retrieval mechanism with a crank (rescue lifting device to EN 1496). After a fall or when a worker is unconscious, the casualty can be winched up or lowered without external rescue. This is often mandatory for work in tanks, shafts and silos.

• Retrieval units combine fall arrest (EN 360) with a rescue hoist (EN 1496).
• Mandatory or strongly advised for entry into confined spaces, shafts and silos.
• Define a rescue plan before work starts - every minute in the harness counts.
• Have the device inspected annually by a competent person and keep an inspection log.

Frequently asked questions