Proper Use of a Retractable Lanyard

Fall protection is required by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) whenever a person is working at a height of 6 feet or more above the ground. This requirement can be met in several ways, but the most common and often the most practical is the use of a safety lanyard. For workers who need more freedom of movement, or who are working at varying heights, a retractable safety lanyard is often the best solution.

Fall Protection System

• There are many types of fall protection, but the most reliable and most common involves the safety lanyard. The lanyard is one of three components that make up the fall protection system. The first is the anchor point. This point must be sturdy and capable of holding large amounts of weight. The safety lanyard is attached to the anchor point, then to the body harness. Combined, these components make a very safe and reliable means of fall protection. however, the failure of any component means the entire system fails, which can result in serious injury, or death. Every effort must be made to insure the integrity of the fall protection system.

Types of Lanyards

• Lanyards come in many types, with varying lengths, attachment points and safety measures. The key is to wear the proper lanyard for the proper situation and working height. With a retractable lanyard, these decisions are removed. A retractable lanyard will use a high anchor point, normally an overhead point high enough to keep the canister above the worker. The canister contains a length of safety lanyard which will extend and retract with the worker's movements, therefore always being the shortest possible length, which is desirable. If there is a sudden pull on the lanyard, such as would happen in a fall, the mechanism will lock and prevent any additional lanyard from being extended, thus limiting the fall to the shortest possible distance.

Safety Is Key

• The retractable lanyard must be checked and inspected on a regular basis. While the first few feet of the lanyard will receive the most use, the entire length should be pulled out and inspected. Ideally this should be done on a daily basis, checking for nicks or fraying. If any damage is detected or excessive wear is seen, the lanyard should be removed from service and replaced. Depending on the model, the lanyard itself can be replaced and the canister reused. The person using the harness should also yank on the lanyard to be certain it catches and locks. If it does not lock, the lanyard must be removed from service immediately.