The height safety dictionary is your guide to the jargon often found in the world of fall protection.
Looking for the rest of the alphabet?
M
Manufacturer – The person or entity that designs, fabricates, builds and tests anchor points or other components used in height safety and fall protection systems.
Mobile attachment point – A device for the connection of personal fall-arrest equipment to a horizontal static line or rigid rail that allows for smooth movement along the line or rail.
N
Non-compliant – Not in conformance with manufacturer’s installation instructions or relevant standards. Damaged or otherwise not in original state.
O
Orthostatic shock – See suspension trauma
Outriggers – Extendable legs that swing or slide out to widen the base of a machine or equipment. They are used to provide additional stability by spreading the load and enlarging the footprint of the machine or equipment.
P
Passive fall protection – A fall protection system that does not require an operator to take any specific action in order to prevent a fall occurring. This can include guardrail, walkway and safety nets.
Person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) – The person or entity charged with managing, in so much as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers engaged or caused to be engaged in completing work and workers whose activities in carrying out work are directly influenced or managed by the person. There can be more than one PCBU at a workplace.
Personal energy absorber – Also referred to as a shock absorber. A device included in an operator’s fall protection equipment that, in the event of a fall, will deploy or deform so as to reduce the loads placed on the operator’s body as the fall is arrested.
Pole strap – A length of webbed material with attachment points at either end. This is placed around a pole or other vertical column-like structure and allows a worker to connect and remain restrained while undertaking work.
Professional engineer – A person who is either (i) registered under relevant legislation as an engineer in their discipline or (ii) is a member of or is eligible to be a corporate member of the Institute of Engineers, Australia and can demonstrate appropriate experience and competence in their field.
