Lyon Technical Symposium 2006

Temporarily-installed horizontal lifelines

rescue implications
A presentation by David Riches
consultants in fall protection and safety at height

What is a temporarily-installed horizontal lifeline (HLL) ?

Tensioning device (with excess rope pulled through) End anchor Travelling device

HLL

Energy-absorbing lanyard Anchor connection

What is a temporarily-installed horizontal lifeline? (2)

Intermediate anchor

In-line energy absorber

(i) at the onset to the fall

(ii) worker falls and lanyard becomes taut

(iii) lifeline begins to stretch and deflect; travelling device slides down lifeline

(iv) lifeline at maximum deflection, providing sufficient reaction force for energy absorbing lanyard to extend; applied arrest force transmitted to and magnified at end-anchors

(v) energy absorbed; lifeline tends to oscillate up and down about an equilibrium position until residual motion is fully damped; worker adopts post-fall suspension position awaiting rescue

Main performance parameters

Length of the HLL span Length of the interconnecting fall-arrest equipment Elastic properties Energy absorbing characteristics Initial tension in the HLL Sub-spans between intermediate anchors (if installed) Amount of free fall (where the fall starts in relation to the level of the HLL) Position of fall (in relation from end-anchor) Weight of the worker(s) Compatibility and interaction between interconnecting fall-arrest equipment Number of workers who fall, and whether they fall simultaneously or not

1.25 m

Injury mechanisms & reasons for rescue

Arrest shock loading Badly-fitting harness Collision with structure Collision with fall-arrest system Collision with other workers Incapable of self-recovery Unconscious/motionless Legal WAHR 2005

rescue implications
What will be the vertical and horizontal distance between Rescuer(s) and Rescuee(s) from nearest safe rescue position How many people will need rescuing? What equipment will be used in the rescue? Where can equipment be installed to HLL or to separate anchors? Will it be better to lower or raise the Rescuee(s)? Will the rescue method create new risks for Rescuer and Rescuee? Will Rescuee(s) require medical treatment prior to lowering/raising operation? Will there be sufficient time to carry out the rescue?

Performance
initial tension

Note: HLL based on 1/2 inch diameter steel rope 6 x 25 IWRC construction, clipped eyes on each end. Interconnection equipment consisted of a 5/8 inch nylon lanyard of 1.0 m overall length. Free fall distance 1.285 m, drop mass of 100 kg.

10

30

50

initial tension m

10

30

50

initial tension

V deflection

versus rescue access

Research on 33 m span HLL No of masses 1 x 100 kg 2 x 100 kg 4 x 100 kg V deflection 2080 mm 3545 mm 3900 mm

rescue anchors

? ? ?

for attachment of
rescue equipment

Summary of test results of multiple near-simultaneous fall simulations on long single-span HLL
Test No 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 Cable type / span (m) Galv / 33 Galv / 33 Galv / 33 Galv / 33 Galv / 33 Galv / 33 SS / 33 Galv / 17 Kern / 17 Galv / 33 SS / 17 No. of test masses released 1 1 1 2 4 6 4 2 2 2 2 Free fall (m) 1.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.0 No. of in-line Maximum end anchor load energy (kN) absorbers 1 2 3 2 1 17.7 19.8 20.3 16.0 27.2 26.8 19.3 17.4 8.4 25.2 33.3

Potential anchor points that may have been weakened as a result of fall impact

HLL may weaken as a result of being dragged over an edge in a fall

HSE Research Report 266

A review of criteria concerning design, selection, installation, use, maintenance and training aspects of temporarily-installed horizontal lifelines HLL manufacturers survey 2004 Question what rescue advice can be given and what equipment do you supply?

Answers: No rescue methods are available This is a difficult area Gaps in structure over which HLL spans limits the number of safe rescue anchor positions Users are not asking for rescue equipment at the moment We are recommending that users find their own rescue equipment We are analysing the problem and are designing rescue methods and equipment to suit

Rescue Approaches
1. drag Rescuee back to a safe area using equipment mounted to an end-anchor 2. install twin parallel HLLs in close proximity one for fallarrest purposes and one of rescue purposes 3. reassessing anchors to allow attachment of rescue equipment, and stresses of fallarrest loadings

2 3

- Summary The Rule of the 6 Ps:

Prior Preparation and Planning Prevents Possible Problems
HLL installation should facilitate rescue plan Rescue plan should encompass envisaged fall scenarios Rescue plan should consider:
How many people will need rescuing What equipment will be used in the rescue Method of installation Method of rescue Rescue risks Likely injuries sustained by rescuee(s) Time needed to execute rescue

Rescue plan should be validated by training and rehearsals

When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof roof Moses, circa 1400 BC (Deuteronomy 22:8)

Useful information
HSE Research Report 266
A review of criteria concerning design, selection, installation, use, maintenance and training aspects of temporarily-installed horizontal lifelines available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr266.htm

BS 8437: (2005)
Code of practice for selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the workplace

BS 8454: (2006)
Code of practice for the delivery of training and education for work at height and rescue available from BSI