AS1891 is the Australian Standards for Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices. These standards take into account several factors:
· Selection, use and maintenance
· Safety belts and harnesses
· Loads and deflection
· Suspension trauma
· Pendulum effects
· Testing criteria
· Service intervals and checks
The Altrac Fall arrest system exceeds the AS1891 and AS4488 criteria for fall arrest systems and complies with many foreign lifeline standards. Altrac has a deflection of less than 50mm, considered by the standards to be a negligible amount. This type of rigid rail fall arrest system is required in many states when a fall is less than 6m.
A fall can be one of several types:
· Free Fall - Fall distance greater than 600mm.
· Limited Free Fall - Fall distance will not exceed 600mm.
· Restrained Fall - Falls where it is possible to walk without fall arrest assistance.
· Total Restraint - A restraint physically preventing a fall or a position from which to fall.
Depending on what type of fall is experienced some standards may be different or not apply at all. For AS4488 Industrial Rope Access systems, two trolleys are required per person; one for the working line and one for the safety line.
This is a very brief overview of the safety codes. For the full regulations, please consult the standards and also your state and local laws.