Fall Arrest (Sliding, Blocks)

Fall protection equipment: the complete kit to secure your work at height

Fall protection equipment covers all the technical equipment that, combined with a body-holding device (harness), forms an effective fall protection system that complies with regulations. Lanyards, retractable type fall arresters, anchors, connectors: each component plays a specific role in the safety chain. At Kratos Safety, our range of fall protection solutions covers every work-at-height configuration, for professionals in construction, industrial maintenance and all sectors exposed to the risk of falls.

Understanding the components of a fall arrest system

A high-performing fall arrest system cannot be reduced to a single product. It relies on the coherent combination of several complementary elements:

• Energy-absorbing lanyards: The lanyard connects the harness to the anchor point. Fitted with an energy absorber, it limits the impact force transmitted to the operator's body in the event of a fall. Available in single or twin versions, adjustable or not, they adapt to the nature of the site and the range of movement required.
• Retractable type fall arresters: The retractable fall arrester, or self-retracting device, is a device fitted with a lanyard (cable or webbing) kept constantly under tension, which follows the user's movements. The system locks automatically and stops in the event of a fall by the user. They are particularly suited to work on façades, terraces, scaffolding, aerial work platforms and maintenance.
• Guided type fall arresters: The guided type fall arrester is a device that slides along a rope, cable or vertical rail anchor line and locks instantly as soon as a fall begins. Particularly suited to work on ladders, pylons or vertical structures, it offers maximum freedom of movement while providing permanent protection.
• Anchors and anchor points: Fixed or temporary, anchor devices are the starting point of the whole system. Their sizing must be suited to the load and to the configuration of the support (roof, framework, concrete, steel). An incorrectly sized anchor undermines the effectiveness of the entire fall protection equipment.
• Connectors and karabiners: These connecting elements ensure the junction between the different components of the system. Screw-lock karabiners, double or triple action automatic locking, scaffold hooks: the choice of connector must be suited to the level of stress and the conditions of use.

Choosing your fall protection equipment according to the type of work

The choice of work-at-height equipment depends first and foremost on the nature of the work and the environment in which it takes place:

• For work on roofs or at the edge of a drop, a horizontal lifeline combined with a sliding trolley offers continuous protection along the entire length of movement, without repeated handling of the equipment.
• For one-off work on a structure or in an industrial environment, an energy-absorbing lanyard coupled with a temporary anchor is the quickest solution to implement.
• For height access on a ladder or vertical structure, the guided type fall arrester on rope, cable or rail is the most suitable answer, as it follows the operator's movement without hindrance.

Our range of fall protection equipment for professionals is designed to meet these various situations, with products CE certified in accordance with standards EN 354, EN 355, EN 360 and EN 795 depending on the components.

Maintenance and inspection of fall protection equipment

Like all PPE, fall protection equipment must be subject to rigorous monitoring:

• Visual inspection before each use: condition of the webbing, stitching, locking mechanisms and metal parts.
• Annual periodic examination by an authorised person, in accordance with the regulations in force.
• Immediate disposal of any component that has undergone an impact or an arrested fall, even in the absence of apparent damage.

The traceability of each professional fall arrest device is essential: for each product, Kratos Safety provides complete documentation to ensure the equipment's service history is tracked.

To build a complete and coherent protection system, discover also our collection of fall arrest harnesses as well as our lifelines and anchors.