Fall protection plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of workers. Within the realm of fall protection, two distinct approaches are employed: fall restraint and fall arrest.
Fall restraint is a proactive measure designed to prevent falls from occurring in the first place. It involves implementing preventive measures such as guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall restraint systems. The primary objective is to restrict a worker's movement and prevent them from reaching a position where a fall hazard exists.
On the other hand, fall arrest comes into play after a fall has already occurred. It involves utilizing equipment and systems that can effectively arrest the fall and minimize the potential injury or damage. Fall arrest systems typically consist of anchors, anchorage points, connectors, and personal protective equipment (PPE) such as harnesses and lanyards. These components work together to ensure the worker's safety by stopping their fall and preventing them from striking lower levels or encountering other hazards.