Components of Fall Arrest or a Fall Protection System

Many people go up on their roofs twice a year to check for lost shingles or broken tiles and to make some necessary repairs. Roof maintenance is regularly practiced by many homeowners, to ensure that their homes’ roofs function well. While it keeps roofs fully functional, roof maintenance is a risky job. Most homeowners who conduct the procedures are not protected by lifelines or any fall arrest instrument. Roofs are fall hazard areas. Even the most skillful roofer is vulnerable to falling if he or she is unable to take precautionary measure before going up on the elevated area. It is important for a worker or a homeowner to be equipped with personal fall arrest devices before going up to any dangerous height. A fall arrest system can either be for general fall arrest or personal fall arrest. A general fall arrest system, consisting of nets and stable skeletal framework, is usually seen in large construction projects. The system is installed angled at a specific elevation from the optimum height, to secure all workers and any equipment from creating destructive impact upon falling. A personal fall arrest system is more ideal for simple roofing maintenance for residential houses. A personal fall arrest system is comprised of ropes connected to a certain point or a number of points of moment and to the body of a climber. These points are often referred to as fall arrest roof anchors. This is preferable for small-scale high-elevation activities such as roof maintenance. A personal fall arrest system ensures the safety of the homeowner whenever he or she works on surfaces near the edge of the roof. A personal fall arrest lifeline system consists mainly of three important parts. The first part is the elastic textile or polyester rope that provides a mechanism for the absorption of mechanical energy caused by the impact of fall. Another part of the system is comprised of fall arrest roof anchors installed at one or several strategic spots on the roof where the rope is connected. The third important component of a personal fall arrest system is high-traction footwear. The footwear is useful especially during situations when the roof is wet and slippery, such as when shoveling snow or ice buildup during winter. Altogether, these components create a perfect system.