Horizontal Lifeline Systems
Construction · Ver en español
Talking points
- Horizontal lifeline systems allow workers to move laterally while remaining connected to fall protection. They are used on leading edges, roofs, bridges, and steel structures.
- Horizontal lifelines must be designed by a qualified person or Professional Engineer. The system must account for sag, anchorage forces (which can be 2-3 times the arrest force), and the number of workers attached.
- Maximum capacity is typically 2 workers between anchorage points unless the system is specifically engineered for more. Adding workers without engineering approval overloads the system.
- Clearance calculation for horizontal lifelines must include sag in the cable during a fall arrest. A cable that appears 6 feet above a lower level may sag 4 feet during arrest, leaving only 2 feet of clearance.
- Inspect all components — cable, turnbuckles, anchorage plates, trolleys, and connectors — before each use. Replace any component that shows wear, corrosion, or deformation.
Ask the crew
If we are using a horizontal lifeline today, has it been engineered for the number of workers who will be attached?
Standards this talk is built on
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