What Does
Self-Retracting Lanyard Mean?
A self-retracting lanyard (SRL) is a specific kind of lanyard used with a safety harness that utlizes inertia to activate a breaking mechanism that is part of a block unit housed inside the body of the lanyard. This mechanism is typically activated when the fall disatnce exceeds four and a half feet per second. This inertia threshold activates a machined outer ring with spring loaded arms that arrests the fall.
Safeopedia Explains Self-Retracting Lanyard
An advantage of a self-retracting lanyard over a shock absorbing lanyard is that it only requires a maximum of two feet to arrest the fall instead of three and a half feet. In most cases, braking is almost instantaneous, which significantly reduces the risk of hitting the ground. Self-retracting lanyards are also easier to work with in the event that a fall rescue must be undertaken. Generally, self-retracting lanyards are used in situations where a shock absorbing lanyard would not be able to arrest the fall in time. SRLs are used when working off of ladders, in stairwells, and in scissor lifts.