In many respects these devices seem to solve some common problems. The length of the lanyard adjusts to allow the user freedom of movement. The inertia reel locks automatically in the event of a fall, keeping the fall distance to a minimum -typically around 400mm. They should comply with EN360. However, the tests for these units to ensure compliance with EN360 do not actually cover the retracting mechanism but only the locking mechanism. Should the retracting mechanism fail to rewind, and a loop of webbing is formed, then the user could be exposed to a F2 category fall or worse. Retractable lanyards should also be fixed to a rigid anchor point. If they are attached to a catenary wire, there is a chance that the locking pawls will bounce out as the wire bounces creating a series of arrests. As there is no medical data concerning this, one can only suppose it to be very harmful. Although the Blocfor will operate horizontally careful consideration should be made before employing it in this manner. The worker must be prevented from reaching an edge where a fall could happen. This is because the attachment position of the lanyard to the workers harness will allow a sudden drop of around 1.5m on to the cable before the mechanism arrests the fall. The cable will be subjected to very high loads while in contact with a sharp edge. Catastrophic failure will occur.
The person purchasing fall arrest equipment, which consists of a harness, lanyard and anchor, should be competent to do so.
