In occupational safety—especially in work at height—fall protection is one of the most critical risk control measures.
Falls remain a leading cause of serious injury and fatalities across industries. To mitigate these risks, companies typically rely on two primary types of protection systems: Fall Restraint and Fall Arrest.
Understanding how these systems differ is essential for improving worker safety and meeting regulatory compliance requirements.
1. Fall Restraint Systems
Definition
A fall restraint system is designed to prevent workers from reaching a fall hazard.
Instead of stopping a fall after it occurs, this system limits movement so personnel cannot access dangerous edges or drop zones.
Key Components
Body Support
Depending on the task, the system may include:
Full body harness EN 361
Work positioning belt EN 358
Sit harness EN 813
Unlike fall arrest setups, a full body harness is not always required.
Anchorage
The anchorage point must be capable of supporting at least:
2650 lbs / 1200 kg
Connecting Device
The lanyard length is critical.
It must be short enough to ensure the worker cannot physically reach a fall risk—even at full extension.
⚠ According to EN 354, lanyard length must not exceed 2 meters.
Example
A technician working on a flat roof connects a restraint lanyard to an approved anchor point.
The system allows safe movement while preventing access to the roof edge.
2. Fall Arrest Systems
Definition
Unlike restraint systems, fall arrest systems are designed to safely stop a fall once it occurs.
Their function is to prevent the worker from impacting the ground or lower structures.
Key Components
Body Support
A full body harness EN 361 is mandatory.
Work positioning belts are not suitable for fall arrest and may cause serious injury during a fall.
Anchorage
Fall arrest anchors must withstand significantly higher loads:
Minimum 5,000 lbs, or
Engineered as part of a complete system with a safety factor ≥ 2
Standards include:
EN 795 ≥ 2650 lbs / 1200 kg
TS16415 (multi-user) ≥ 2870 lbs / 1300 kg
Connecting Devices (Fall Arrest Equipment)
These may include:
Energy-absorbing lanyards EN 355
Self-retracting lifelines EN 360
Guided type fall arresters EN 353
They are designed to reduce arrest forces to below 600 daN, minimizing injury risk.
Rescue Equipment
An often overlooked but essential component.
After a fall is arrested, the worker remains suspended and must be rescued promptly.
Typical solutions include:
Descent devices EN 341
Rescue winches EN 1496
Example
A worker on scaffolding connects their full body harness to an anchor via an energy-absorbing lanyard.
If a fall occurs, the system deploys and safely arrests the descent before impact.
Fall Restraint vs Fall Arrest: Key Differences
| Criteria | Fall Restraint | Fall Arrest |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Prevents access to hazards | Stops a fall after it happens |
| Safety Approach | Proactive | Reactive |
| Body Support | EN 361 / EN 358 / EN 813 | EN 361 required |
| Anchorage Strength | ≥ 2650 lbs / 1200 kg | ≥ 5,000 lbs |
| Best Use Case | Controlled environments (e.g., flat roofs) | High-risk zones (e.g., scaffolds, towers) |
Conclusion
Choosing the right fall protection system is not just a compliance issue—it directly impacts worker safety.
A thorough assessment of the work environment allows companies to implement the most effective protection strategy, reducing risk while ensuring operational continuity.
For optimal safety performance, always verify that equipment complies with EU PPE Regulation 2016/425.