Safety of energy-absorbing lanyards in fall-arrestsystems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20868/ade.2026.5717Keywords:
energy-absorbing fall-arrest systems, personal protective equipment, construction safety, safety clearance, dynamic testingAbstract
Falls from height remain a leading cause of serious and fatal occupational accidents. This study evaluates the safety of energy-absorbing lanyards for different user weights, compared with the 100 kg value assumed by current standards. A literature review was combined with dynamic factor-2 fall tests using several devices, rigid test masses, a load cell, an accelerometer and high-speed cameras. Initial and final lengths, measured arrest distances, manufacturers’ specifications and regulatory limits were compared.
Elongation increased with mass and exceeded 1 m for one device tested with 150 kg. Measured arrest distances were 63–165 cm shorter than the regulatory values and, for 100 kg, averaged 165 cm less than those stated by manufacturers. Mean plastic elongation was 47 cm, while the average increase in length was 46%, with maximum values of 112 cm and 97%, respectively. The results indicate conservative manufacturer specifications but poor reliability of actual equipment lengths. The maximum arrest distances established by standards should therefore be reconsidered and adapted to different user-weight ranges.
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