Fall Factors 1 & 2


Bump Test on a Gas Detector

Fall Factor 1

A fall factor 1 describes a fall where the fall arrestor has been attached to an anchor point that is at least as high as the shoulder blades.

If a lanyard is being used this ensures that the initial fall distance can never be the full length of the lanyard. The result of this is that the fitted shock pack will only tear out a proportional part related to the impact force.

The lower the lanyard attachment point is the further the potential fall and the more the pack will tear out.

Fall Factor 2

This is where the anchorage point is at foot level or worse, at a maximum of 2 metres below the attachment point on the harness. If a fall now takes place the wearer may travel the 2 metres of the lanyard length to the anchorage point. Then a further 2 metres past the anchorage point and now the pack will tear out. This can end with safety distances requiring a 7.5 metre clear drop area.

A mini block in a fall factor 2 would greatly reduce this distance as the unit will try to regather cable or webbing upon the fall. This reduces the impact load and distance of travel.

Under EN365 the instruction label must clearly point out what fall factors the device can be used for.

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