Horizontal Lifeline

Horizontal lifeline and vertical lifeline anchorage devices that allow continuous and safe connection of personal protective equipment used in fall arrest systems. It should be preferred when collective protection is not available in working areas at height where there is a possibility of falls. Lifelines can be basically divided into horizontal and vertical. Lifelines can be used as fall arrest system or fall restraint system according to the layout.

Lifelines are divided into horizontal and vertical. Horizontal lifelines must comply with EN 795:2012 standards and vertical lifelines must comply with EN 353-1+A1:2018 standards. If horizontal lifelines are to be used by multiple users, they must comply with CEN TS 16415:2012 technical specifications. Horizontal lifelines with steel cable are considered within the scope of EN 795:2012 Type C, rigid horizontal lifelines with rail type are considered within the scope of EN 795:2012 Type D, single point anchors are considered within the scope of EN 795:2012 Type A. The conformity of the systems to the relevant standards must be tested and certified by international test organizations. Click here for the information prepared by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Law and the related Regulation on Occupational Health and Safety in Construction Works published within the scope of this law, in risky works such as working at height, all employees, especially employers, are responsible for carrying out the work safely. It is the employer’s responsibility to provide the necessary equipment for personnel to reach the work site safely and to work safely at the time of work. Precautions must be taken in working areas at height where there is a possibility of falling. This measure should be determined by experts according to site conditions and supplied in accordance with standards. Lifelines are among the common measures that can be taken against falls.

As a safety precaution in all work where there is a possibility of falling from a height, it is necessary to first plan work to eliminate the possibility, and if possible, use collective protection methods or use lifeline systems. Lifeline is widely used for roof maintenance, stream cleaning, chimney measurement, solar panel installation and cleaning. It is necessary to use lifelines for maintenance work on overhead cranes and crane walkways in facilities, maintenance work on vehicle tops, tanker filling sites, and many works in construction.

Anchor points for the lifeline can be installed on almost any surface of suitable strength. Steel constructions, concrete structures, sandwich panel roofs, trapezoidal roofs, membrane roofs and standing seam roofs can be anchored directly using the roof profile. It is necessary to pay attention to the instructions of the lifeline manufacturer for the suitability of the surface to be mounted.

Commonly, fall arrest systems are made of stainless steel and aluminum. Since lifelines are long-life systems, often located in outdoor environments, the most suitable material is stainless steel. However, there are cases where lifeline anchors are manufactured from materials with lower corrosion resistance due to cost reasons. Lifeline systems should have elements that provide line tension and elements that will absorb the energy that will occur in the event of a fall. When evaluating the price between systems, it is necessary to consider the material of the products. There is a significant cost difference between stainless steel material and others.

Layout planning of lifelines is crucial to ensure that systems are safe and functional. Many factors such as possible fall distance, coverage of the working area, pendulum effect, slope, working comfort should be taken into account when determining the location of the lines. Therefore, project design in fall protection systems should be done by professional teams. XTR Safety offers free support during the project preparation phase. You can contact us for the correct assessment of the need and solution suggestions.