16
WARNING: Anchorages must be rigid. Large deformations of the anchorage will affect system performance, and
may increase the required fall clearance below the system, which could result in serious injury or death.
7.3 LIMITATIONS: The following limits apply to the installation and use of the PROTECTA Horizontal Lifeline
System. Other limitations may apply:
IMPORTANT: OSHA regulations state that horizontal lifelines shall be installed and used under the supervision
of a qualifi ed person (see the following for defi nition) as part of a complete personal fall arrest system that
maintains a safety factor of at least two.
Qualifi ed Person: An individual with a recognized degree or professional certifi cate, and extensive knowledge
and experience in the subject fi eld, who is capable of design, analysis, evaluation, and specifi cation in the subject
work, project, or product. Refer to OSHA 1910.66, 1926.32, and 1926.502.
A. HORIZONTAL LIFELINE SPAN: The maximum span distance is 60 feet. The span length must be
reduced when clearance is limited. See Figure 17 for clearance information.
B. ANCHORAGES: The PROTECTA horizontal lifeline must be installed on anchorages that meet the
requirements specifi ed previously.
C. SYSTEM CAPACITY: The maximum capacity of the PROTECTA horizontal lifeline is one person. The
maximum weight of each person, including tools and clothing, is 310 lbs.
D. CONNECTING SUBSYSTEM: The user’s connecting subsystem must limit fall arrest forces to 900 lbs.
or less.
E. FREE FALL: Rig and use the personal fall arrest system such that the maximum potential free fall does
not exceed Government regulatory and subsystem manufacturer’s requirements.
F. SWING FALLS: Swing falls occur when the anchorage point is not directly overhead. The force of
striking an object in a swing fall may cause serious injury or death. Minimize swing falls by working
as directly below the anchorage point as possible. Do not permit a swing fall if injury could occur.
Swing falls will signifi cantly increase the clearance required when a self retracting lifeline or other
variable length connecting subsystem is used. If a swing fall situation exists in your application, contact
PROTECTA before proceeding.
G. BODY SUPPORT: A full body harness must be used with the PROTECTA Horizontal Lifeline System.
H. CONNECTING SUBSYSTEM: The connecting subsystem is the portion of the personal fall arrest
system that connects the horizontal lifeline subsystem and harness fall arrest attachment element. The
connecting subsystem must limit forces applied to the horizontal lifeline to 900 lbs. or less.
7.4 HORIZONTAL LIFELINE INSTALLATION: Figure 17 shows a typical horizontal lifeline (HLL) installation.
When using an energy absorbing lanyard to connect to the system, the end anchorages must be located at
a height which will limit the free fall to six (6) feet. When using a self retracting lifeline (SRL) to connect to
the system, the end anchorages must be located above the user. The SRL, when fully retracted, must be
above the harness attachment level.
The horizontal lifeline system should be
positioned at a level that will minimize
free fall while allowing ease of use. The
horizontal lifeline should be positioned
near the work location to minimize
swing fall hazards. The connecting
subsystem length should be kept as
short as possible to reduce the potential
free fall and required clearance distance.
See Figures 17 and 18 for minimum fall
clearances required. Both anchorages
must be installed at approximately the
same elevation, so that the horizontal
lifeline system is not sloped more than
fi ve (5) degrees.
Step 1. Install the anchor sling to the anchor structure at both ends of the planned HLL installation. See
section 5.18/5.19.
Figure 17 - Fall Clearance for Energy Absorbing
Lanyards
Working
surface
of HLL
Vertical clearance
from lower level
or obstruction to
working surface
Elevation of lower
level or obstruction
3 FT 4 FT 5 FT 6 FT
0-10 11'-2" 12'-2" 13'-2" 14'-2"
10-15 11'-10" 12'-10" 13'-10" 14'-10"
15-20 12'-5" 13'-5" 14'-5" 15'-5"
20-25 13' 14' 15' 16'
25-30 13'-7" 14'-7" 15'-7" 16'-7"
30-35 14'-2" 15'-2" 16'-2" 17'-2"
35-40 14'-10" 15'-10" 16'-10" 17'-10"
40-45 15'-5" 16'-5" 17'-5" 18'-5"
45-50 16' 17' 18' 19'
50-55 16'-7" 17'-7" 18'-7" 19'-7"
55-60 17'-2" 18'-2" 19'-2" 20'-2"
ENERGY ABSORBER LANYARD LENGTH
CLEARANCE CHART
SPAN (IN FEET)
Span Length
Instructions for use of
Clearance Chart:
Step 1. Locate the row on the left
of the table representing the length
of the span between stanchions for
the horizontal lifeline (HLL) being
analyzed.
Step 2. Locate the column on top
representing the length of the lanyard
with integral energy absorber being
used with the HLL system.
Step 3. The minimum allowable verti-
cal clearance needed from the lower
level or obstruction to the working
surface of the HLL is displayed at the
intersection of the row and column
determined in steps 1 and 2.