Choosing the right fall protection

The fall arrest harness must be worn during any work at height. Compliant with the NF EN 361 standard, it can be adjusted to each operator thanks to its adjustable straps and buckles. There exist many types of harnesses, each for a different use.

The anchor point can be fixed (type A) or mobile (type B, e.g. a tripod). For greater safety, it is recommended that the anchor point is located above the user to reduce the fall and pendulum effect. It must be able to stop and restrain the operator in the event of a fall from height.

A connection and/or energy absorption system connects the harness to the anchor point. Connecting and energy absorption systems come in different forms: lanyard, retractable fall arresters, etc…

When the anchor point is located at or above the harness attachment point, the operator is safe. However, if an energy absorber is not used when the fall factor is equal to 1, the impact can be violent and range from 900 to 200 daN. When the fall factor is equal to 2, the anchor point is located at or below the operator’s feet.

This is the 6.5 meter minimum required vertical freefall distance without obstacles. This height is calculated as follows: A+B+C+D

A = Overall length of the fall arrest device used
B = Stopping distance according to the fall arrest device used
C = Height from the fall arrest attachment point of the harness to the user’s feet
D = 1 m safety margin required by the standard

A pendulum fall occurs when the user is close to a fall risk zone without being secured vertically to the anchor point.

The risk of injury increases due to the user’s uncontrolled swinging after the fall.

The NUSL ECO harnesses are “entry level” fall arrest harnesses for occasional use or very dirty work. The NUSL1 ECO harness only has a back attachment point on a “D” suitable for work on scaffolding or platforms. The NUSL2 ECO also has a sternal attachment point on webbing loops to be connected.

Suitable for the following industries: aerial work platforms, roofing, steel construction, building
Complies with the standard: EN 361

The Pack & GO is a fall arrest harness with an integrated carry bag. It is comfortable to wear and its integrated storage bag makes it particularly practical. It has 2 attachment points: 1 sternal point on a textile buckle and 1 dorsal point on a metal “D”. It complies with the EN361 standard (personal protective equipment against falls from a height).
Suitable for the following industries: building, steel construction, scaffolding, aerial work platforms, roofing
Complies with the standard: EN 361

The NUS65A is a versatile fall arrest harness that combines performance, comfort and lightness. Equipped with automatic buckles and padded leg straps, it adapts easily to all body types thanks to its high-performance adjustment and locking systems. It is a 2-point harness: 1 sternal point on textile buckles and 1 dorsal point on metal “D”.
Suitable for the following industries: industry, construction, steel construction, scaffolding, aerial work platforms, roofing
Complies with the standard: EN 361, EN 1497

The VIT’O fall arrest harness combines performance, comfort and lightness. It adapts easily to all body shapes thanks to its high-performance adjustment and locking systems. The shoulder straps can be adjusted from above and the leg straps and Bavarian belt can be closed with automatic aluminum buckles.
Suitable for the following industries: steel construction, building, roofing, aerial work platforms, events
Complies with the standard: EN 361, EN 1497

The VIT’O TEC is a fall arrest and rescue harness for use in confined spaces. It has a dorsal attachment point on an extension strap and a sternum attachment point with two textile buckles for fall arrest and rescue. It also incorporates a specific ergonomic belt for wearing the self-rescue mask.
Suitable for the following industries: sanitation
Complies with the standard: EN 361, EN 1497

To make your choice easier, we recommend PPE that complies with the 2016/95 Directive and the EN 795 B standard.

The safety tripod must also be made of reinforced aluminum legs as well as a telescopic structure to allow the operator to adjust the length of the unit.

Very often the tripod is accompanied by a self-retracting fall arrester with rescue winch, a lifting winch (optional), cable return pulleys under the head of the tripod and a carrying bag.

The lanyard (EN 354) with energy absorber (EN 355) is a connection system consisting of a lanyard of up to 2m and two connectors. Due to their elasticity, elastic lanyards offer extra comfort. For example, a strap lanyard will be 40% shorter in the retracted position than a standard strap lanyard. The system ensures that the operator’s movements are safe and limited  around the anchorage point.

Fall arresters are available in straps or cable in different lengths. On the one hand, the strap fall arrester is specifically designed for work at height (AWP, scaffolding, roof, etc.) with a short connection length (from 2 to 5 meters). It is very light and equipped with an automatically retractable high density polyethylene lanyard. On the other hand, the cable fall arrester is heavier and more bulkier than the webbing reel. It is equipped with a very strong steel cable and is more specifically designed for difficult or severe areas such as manholes (risk of cutting) or confined spaces.

• NF EN 354 : Lanyards (max. length : 2 m)
• NF EN 355 : Energy absorbers
• NF EN 358 : Work positioning systems               
• NF EN 360 : Automatic fall arrest system               
• NF EN 361, NF EN 358, NF EN 813, NF EN 1497 : Full fall arrest harnesses             
• NF EN 362 : Connectors               
• NF EN 795 : Anchor points (type B)