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Continuous Pass Through Lifelines

A continuous pass through horizontal lifeline design allows workers to move through multiple spans of a HLL system with 100% tie-off at all times. Horizontal lifelines with automatic pass through eliminate the need for workers to un-clip from the HLL to move past intermediate anchor points, keeping both hands free at all times. Easy to use continuous pass through or hands-free horizontal lifeline systems are ideal for narrow work areas and offer a mix of unencumbered movement and fall protection that maximizes worker productivity.

We are a complete turnkey provider of OSHA compliant horizontal lifeline systems and have years of design and installation experience. Contact us for expert assistance with your fall arrest, fall restraint and fall protection requirements.

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Design Considerations

Continuous Pass Through Horizontal Lifeline Design Considerations

Constructed from stainless steel components, continuous pass through horizontal lifelines offer exceptional corrosion resistance and component longevity. The distance spanned by a horizontal lifeline with continuous pass through is limited only by the ability to attach a series of anchor points to surrounding structure; crane rail HLL systems can safely span distances in excess of 600 feet. Our fall protection safety specialists can engineer an automatic pass through horizontal lifeline system to accommodate the special characteristics of your elevated work area, from corners to the absence of pre-existing anchor points and more. Each anchor point must be secure enough to withstand the forces generated by a fall and all sections of the HLL must be assessed to ensure that workers do not strike pipes, equipment, or other surfaces below before a fall can be arrested. Special care must also be taken to account for load and deflection rates which are determined by a number of factors, including pre-tension of the cable, length of the area spanned, and the number of workers connected to the system.

OSHA Regulations

The employer must ensure that each horizontal lifeline:

  • Is designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person; and... 1910.140(c)(11)(ii)
  • Is part of a complete personal fall arrest system that maintains a safety factor of at least two. 1910.140(c)(12)

Anchorages used to attach to personal fall protection equipment must be independent of any anchorage used to suspend employees or platforms on which employees work. Anchorages used to attach to personal fall protection equipment on mobile work platforms on powered industrial trucks must be attached to an overhead member of the platform, at a point located above and near the center of the platform. 1910.140(c)(13)   Anchorages, except window cleaners' belt anchors covered by paragraph (e) of this section, must be:

  • Capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) for each employee attached; or... 1910.140(c)(13)(ii)
  • Designed, installed, and used, under the supervision of qualified person, as part of a complete personal fall protection system that maintains a safety factor of at least two. 1910.140(c)(14)
  • Travel restraint lines must be capable of sustaining a tensile load of at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN). 1910.140(c)(15)
  • Lifelines must not be made of natural fiber rope. Polypropylene rope must contain an ultraviolet (UV) light inhibitor. 1910.140(c)(16)

Personal Fall Arrest Systems:  System performance criteria. In addition to the general requirements in paragraph (c) of this section, the employer must ensure that personal fall arrest systems: 1910.140(d)(1)(i)

  • Limit the maximum arresting force on the employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kN); 1910.140(d)(1)(ii)
  • Bring the employee to a complete stop and limit the maximum deceleration distance the employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.1 m); 1910.140(d)(1)(iii)
  • Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of the employee free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8 m), or the free fall distance permitted by the system; and... 1910.140(d)(1)(iv)
  • Sustain the employee within the system/strap configuration without making contact with the employee's neck and chin area. 1910.140(d)(1)(v)

If the personal fall arrest system meets the criteria and protocols in appendix D of this subpart, and is being used by an employee having a combined body and tool weight of less than 310 pounds (140 kg), the system is considered to be in compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section. If the system is used by an employee having a combined body and tool weight of 310 pounds (140kg) or more and the employer has appropriately modified the criteria and protocols in appendix D, then the system will be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii). 1910.140(d)(2)   The employer must ensure that:

  • On any horizontal lifeline that may become a vertical lifeline, the device used to connect to the horizontal lifeline is capable of locking in both directions on the lifeline. 1910.140(d)(2)(ii)
  • Personal fall arrest systems are rigged in such a manner that the employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m) or contact a lower level. A free fall may be more than 6 feet (1.8 m) provided the employer can demonstrate the manufacturer designed the system to allow a free fall of more than 6 feet and tested the system to ensure a maximum arresting force of 1,800 pounds (8 kN) is not exceeded. 1910.140(d)(3)
  • Body belts. Body belts are prohibited as part of a personal fall arrest system.

Talk to a fall protection specialist

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