What Does
Fall Limiter Mean?
A fall limiter is a fall protection device used to arrest falls. It works like a seatbelt by locking quickly to prevent a fall once a sudden movement it detected. These compact devices are designed for shorter fall distances and limited mobility. They are designed to minimize free-fall distance, making them more suitable than self-retracting lanyards (SLR) in low-clearance environments.
Safeopedia Explains Fall Limiter
A fall limiter is a small heart shaped unit that is made of stainless steel and encased in a high impact polymer cover. It works a lot like a seat belt in a car. If you move too quickly, the feed out on the line will stop and your fall will be arrested. A fall limiter is made from cable, webbing, and synthetic rope.
While fall limiters can be confused with self-retracting lanyards, they differ in a few key ways:
- Shorter Webbing: A fall limiter usually has about 6 feet of webbing. It’s designed for work in areas where the user remains close to the anchor point. SLRs can extend up to 50 feet, allowing workers to move more freely.
- Mechanism: Fall limiters use a seatbelt-type mechanism that locks quickly. An SLR has a retractable line that extends and retracts as the user moves. An internal braking mechanism stops the line’s extension in a fall.
- Fall Distance: A fall limiter has a shorter activation distance designed to minimize free fall. SLRs generally allow for a slightly longer initial fall distance.
- Primary Usage: Fall limiters are best used in areas where fall clearance is limited, such as on aerial lifts or scaffolding. SLRs are better for situations when the user needs to move over a larger working area.