The world of height safety contains many terms and phrases that have a very specific meaning. In many cases, this meaning may not be immediately obvious.
Ever seen a word used in the world of height safety and thought “I wonder what that means?”
In this first part of the HSE height safety dictionary, we work our way through the A, B and C of fall protection. We want to help make sense of what can be an expanse of seemingly endless jargon.
A
Alpine butterfly – A type of knot commonly used to re-anchor a system when diverting beyond 60-degrees from the line of work.
Anchor – A device which is attached to a structure and to which an operator can connect to using a rope line or lanyard.
For example, a roof anchor point connects the roof (structure) to the worker via their harness, rope line and lanyard.
Anchorage – The structure to which an anchor is attached or a connecting system is directly attached.
For example, a beam or roof truss can have an anchor attached to it. Alternately, the worker can connect direct directly to it via a pole strap or anchor strap.
Anchor device – A component – or assembly of components – that incorporates at least one (1) attachment point for an operator.
For example, a SafetyLink FrogLink anchor or Kattsafe Rapid Top Mount anchor are anchor devices. These sit between the anchorage (structure) and the system operator (worker).
Anchor system – An assembly of one or more anchor points, with one or more attachment points, installed in a work area.
For example, a roof with five anchors installed on it that allow access to the entire work area.
Attachment point – The part of an anchor to which an operator can connect a rope line or lanyard.
For example, the eyebolt of an abseil anchor.
B
Backup system – A secondary connection between an operator and an anchor. It supports the operator in case the primary system fails.
Beam clamp – A device used to connect an anchor to a steel I-beam anchorage that does not require drilling or welding.
Boom lift – A type of elevating work platform where the basket is connected to a telescopic arm.
C
Carabiner – A metal device for connecting the operator’s harness and equipment to a fall protection system. Carabiners have a spring-loaded gate that can require either two or three actions to release and open.
Chemical fastener – The curing adhesive used to hold a structural fixing or anchor into an anchorage.
Competent person – A person who has acquired – through either education, graining, qualification, experience, or a combination of these – the knowledge and skill enabling that person to perform a required task.
For example, an IRATA-qualified abseil technician, with five years of experience, would likely be deemed a competent person when using a twin-rope access system.
Connecting system – Part of the fall protection system that connects an operator’s harness to an anchor or anchorage.
For example, this could be an adjustable rope line with in-built shock absorber, a single-tail or twin-tail lanyard.
