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Trolley Beam Fall Arrest

Trolley Beam Fall Arrest Systems

Trolley Beam Fall Protection Systems are common indoor fall protection solutions for applications where total fall clearance is minimal, therefore minimizing fall distance and deflection is critical. Trolley Beam Systems are attached to existing overhead structural steel, allow for excellent range of motion, and easily accomodate multiple users.  After assessing your facility’s unique access points and fall hazards, our safety engineers can design, fabricate, and install a Trolley Beam Fall Arrest System that complies with all OSHA regulations.

Rigid Trolley Beam systems used while performing maintenance on an aircraft.
Rigid Trolley Beam systems provides operational flexibility and safety in this loading area
Rigid Trolley Beam systems used while performing maintenance on an aircraft.
Rigid Trolley Beam systems provides operational flexibility and safety in this loading area
Rigid Trolley Beam systems used while performing maintenance on an aircraft.
Rigid Trolley Beam systems provides operational flexibility and safety in this loading area
Rigid Trolley Beam systems used while performing maintenance on an aircraft.
Rigid Trolley Beam systems provides operational flexibility and safety in this loading area

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

Design Considerations

Trolley Beam Rigid Fall Protection System Design Considerations When considering a trolley beam fall protection system, total working height is always the most important design consideration.  It is imperative that the system can arrest a fall before a worker can come into contact with structure (e.g., equipment, support beams, pipes, floor) below the working surface.  It is also important to take into account the total number of users connected to the system, and whether by-pass capability is required for workers to complete routine maintenance tasks or to perform basic job duties.  In some instances, if a large number of users will need fall protection in a given coverage area, a quad track design may be recommended.  Finally, because these systems are suspended overhead, a thorough inspection and assessment of the roof support structure must be undertaken to ensure the building has the structural integrity to support a trolley beam system.  DFP application engineers will perform a site assessment to determine if your roof support system is strong enough to support a trolley beam fall protection system.

OSHA Regulations

  • 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.

Related Documents

Did You Know?

According to OSHA, the distance from a leading edge does not mitigate the hazard? Any leading edge over 4 feet in general industry and 6 feet in construction is considered a hazard.