Safety - Fall Protection - Carabiners

What makes me qualified to tell you about fall prevention and protection?

I have over 20 years experience of working in a variety of industrial environments that have all included working at height. These include Petrochem, Metal Manufacturing, Power Generation and Construction.

In that time I have promoted safe working at height to everybody.

For a number of years I was employed by a large American Corporation and was deemed to be the local Fall Prevention and Protection expert and introduced many new systems and methods of work.

I am now in a position where I would like to share some of the knowledge I have gained over the years.

1. For Safe and efficient use of connectors, it is essential, prior to use, to read, understand and comply with the advice given on this instruction sheet.
2. Before using, users shall have received adequate training.
3. The user is responsible for checking the safety devices before use.
4. Never use equipment that is visibly not in good condition, any equipment showing signs of deterioration shall not be used and will be quarantined until checked.
5. Replacement of any original parts by parts from other sources is strictly forbidden.
6. The connectors described in this instruction sheet shall be used exclusively for personal protection purposes and not for any other purpose including slinging or lifting of tools or materials.
7. Never use the equipment for the protection of more than one person at a time.
8. Any equipment involved in a fall arrest event must not be re-used until a competent inspector has inspected it.
9. Instructions for any other equipment being used in conjunction with the rope grab device must also be fully understood prior to use.

Note: Carabiners are also referred to as 'Connectors' or 'Snap Hooks'

Carabiners are a vital transmission component of the mechanical connection between a proper anchor point and the user. Incorrect use of carabiners may result in serious injury to the user in the event of a fall.

All carabiners have a double action opening mechanism to reduce the chances of accidental opening during use. Most lanyards have a screw connector at the harness connection end and a carabiner at the other end. Carabiners must always be used closed, with the closing system locked and without any other external force or physical contact acting upon them.
The carabiner must be attached to an approved connection point.
A competent person must inspect any assembly requiring the construction of an anchorage point prior to use.

The following Checks must be carried out before each set up:

1: Check the Carabiner.
- Check the condition; reject any equipment showing signs of wear, traces of rust, signs of physical damage etc.
- Check the correct operation of the mechanism, open the locking mechanism then release the catch, an automatic locking unit should lock itself, check that the gate can not be opened.
- Check that the anchor point is above the user and in line with the working position, within a limit of 30degrees.
2: Check the harness.
- Refer to the instruction sheet for the harness.
3: Check any other equipment being used.
- Refer to the relevant instruction sheet for the equipment being used.
4: Check the potential fall area.
- Check that the potential fall area is free from obstacles.
- When using shock absorbing Lanyards clearance must allow the user's fall to be stopped before encountering any obstacle, allow a 1m-safety distance for extension of the lanyard.
- When using Lifeline ropes clearance must allow the user's fall to be stopped before encountering any obstacle, allow a 3m-safety distance for extension of the rope.
- Ensure that no obstacle is liable to be struck because of any swinging motion.
5: Check the surrounding area.
- Check that the carabiner is not liable to come into contact with any sharp edges including any tools being carried in a tool belt.
- Check that the carabiner will not be exposed to mechanical or chemical corroding agents.
- Check that there is a competent person nearby to raise the alarm in the event of an emergency.
6: Have a rescue plan in place before starting work.

Upon completion of the task, the carabiner must be cleaned with a dry cloth and replaced in an appropriate storage locker, all carabiners must be stored in the closed position.

To ensure safe operation of the fall arrest equipment it must be kept in good condition.

- Clean the outside of any components (use De-solv-it for metal parts), allow to dry in air, away from the sun and any direct heat and sheltered from damp.
- Oil hinged parts, grease threads and wheel springs annually or more frequently if required.
- Any metal part showing signs of damage or deformation must be removed from service and be checked by a competent person.
- When checking the carabiner the locking device must be operated and checked visually.

In conformity with EN363 and good working practices, this equipment may be integrated into a fall arrest system which shall comprise:
- An anchor point (for roof work this anchor point could be an installed Latchway Cable system).
- A carabiner.
- Rope Grab and textile Rope (if required).
- A lanyard with shock absorber.
- A fall arrest harness (a back attachment is recommended)

Any other combination must be authorised by a competent person before use.

The following should be avoided:

- Use of equipment that has not been inspected.
- Use of equipment without the minimum clearance specified.
- Use of an anchor below the user.
- Deviation from the vertical of the anchorage point by more than 30o
- Use of the equipment where there is a risk of injury due to swinging.
- Use of equipment that has been put into quarantine for any reason.
- Use of the equipment for more than one person at a time.
- Hindrance of the free movement of the system.
- Attachment of the equipment by means other than the attachment point.
- Use of the equipment for purposes other than the intended use.
- Use of the Carabiner for slinging or lifting.
- Insertion of foreign substances into the equipment.
- Striking the body of the carabiner.

If the equipment appears to be faulty in any way it must not be used and must be inspected by a competent person before being put back into service.

The information in this lens is provided for information only and does not intend to replace any training that a user must receive. The author can accept no responsibility of any kind for any accident, injury, damage or loss resulting from a person or persons using this information.
This information must not be used to replace local standards, procedures and training.

Every job must be fully assessed for risk and method before any works are performed.