Fall Arrest/Restraint on Double Angle Steel Truss

At our most recent inspection we had a conversation with the inspector about fall arrest (or more likely restraint) in our plaster ceiling lighting coves. I'd asked about the feasibility of a lifeline installation but he suggested a self-retracting lanyard attached to the roof truss over the coves (there's four). We're looking to go that route, but I was exploring the options of creating a point to attach the lanyard. In doing some research I found this product, which I think would work pretty well with a bit of burlap protecting the webbing on the steel. It doesn't have terribly sharp edges, but it bends sharp enough.

I attached some pictures of the trussing below as well. In a perfect world, we'd put one over each pocket with a lanyard and just clip in before focusing. I'd love some feedback on what has worked for others in this situation.

Thanks!

Typical example of the truss, thought is to choke that webbing on the bottom chord:


Down looking up. I was also thinking about a shouldered eyebolt with square washers, but that seems less "fool-proof" than the choker D-ring.

I did just find a similar product on Sapsis Rigging - https://www.sapsis-rigging.com/proplus-double-ring-tie-off-strap.htm

That looks too small for a beam anchor, the strap is probably the way to go.
Be sure you are regularly inspecting for wear, even with edge protection.

Id recommend looking at a solution that uses the top of the truss not the bottom. A sling going over the top and then a a short stinger steel to put it through the center of the bottom chord. Keeps the point in line and gives you the strength of the truss rather than just the strength of the bottom chord.

I know it is said all the time but this is really one of those cases where an engineer is needed. I deal with industrial fall protection and trusses are tricky to work with, unlike I beams they are very geometry dependent and are designed for a generally distributed load. They can have radically different point load capacities depending on the position of the load and how it is attached. Just throwing a anchor strap over either cord with out knowing where it can take the load risks bending the cord and potentially damaging the truss in a fall.

There are anchors made specifically for trusses if you want a more permanent solution: https://unistrutohio.com/products/fixed-truss-anchor

Hey Strad! The Grainger product, from this side of the tablet screen, looks workable. And I've used similar anchors in scenarios that look similar to yours. But, as always, "it depends" reigns supreme. We've got a bunch of this in the attics of a mansion and a world cruise, but it's also been signed off on by a bunch of engineers and such that are way smarter than me. My point though, is to encourage you to keep exploring that avenue and looking at the Miller TurboLite+ fall limiters. They "catch" a fall much quicker than a more traditional setup and they are super small. I love 'em. The Turbolite Flash is even set up as a Y-lanyard with the idea of traversing in mind.

These are all great suggestions. We've been working with our inspectors and I know the building went through a study previously during an HVAC retrofit and upgrade where they reinforced a good portion of the roof and second floor, so part of this is to tap into those studies to verify capacities.

Ideally, I am thinking something like what @What Rigger? mentioned, where its more about prevention of a fall instead of stopping one in progress. The lighting pockets are open voids where everything is underhung and requires a tech to lay prone and reach down- not ideal.

A question though- are all retracting life lines built the same? I was looking at this one over from Sapsis, but it doesn't advertise an instant catch (I'm assuming like a seatbelt lock type grab). Something like that wouldn't shock load anything as much as the traditional style lanyards.

StradivariusBone said:

These are all great suggestions. We've been working with our inspectors and I know the building went through a study previously during an HVAC retrofit and upgrade where they reinforced a good portion of the roof and second floor, so part of this is to tap into those studies to verify capacities.

Ideally, I am thinking something like what @What Rigger? mentioned, where its more about prevention of a fall instead of stopping one in progress. The lighting pockets are open voids where everything is underhung and requires a tech to lay prone and reach down- not ideal.

A question though- are all retracting life lines built the same? I was looking at this one over from Sapsis, but it doesn't advertise an instant catch (I'm assuming like a seatbelt lock type grab). Something like that wouldn't shock load anything as much as the traditional style lanyards.

Click to expand...

So there's two things at conflict here, One is a fall absorption, retracting life lines are designed to slow the fall not immediately stop. An abrupt stop will injure the person so they build in absorption. It sounds like you're wanting work restriction. Is this a catwalk or is this a ladder where a tech will be moving up and down a ladder? Either way the questions you're asking here point me to believe you need a professional onsite making recommendations not strangers on the internet.

We had an inspection that recommended this track and are doing the research to figure out the best products. It looks like there's a distinction between the retractable lifeline What Rigger posted and the one I found on Sapsis. In my mind, a more reactive "brake" would prevent the jerk of a sudden deceleration and essentially prevent a fall. I know there's lifelines that keep you tethered within a certain range, but that wouldn't neccesarily apply here since the largest pocket is about 10' wide.

I can write more later, but there are many different types of self retractable devices. Some design for attachment only above the harness attachment, some designed to attach at your feet, and all of them have different stopping distances, as well as maximum arresting force. The challenge is selecting the correct equipment for the application.

The other thing to keep in mind is that an uncertified anchorage for fall arrest is 5000 pounds ultimate strength. For fall restraint, it’s only 1000 pounds. A properly designed system will eliminate the user from being exposed to fall, which then reduces the amount of force applied to the building.

StradivariusBone said:

These are all great suggestions. We've been working with our inspectors and I know the building went through a study previously during an HVAC retrofit and upgrade where they reinforced a good portion of the roof and second floor, so part of this is to tap into those studies to verify capacities.

Ideally, I am thinking something like what @What Rigger? mentioned, where its more about prevention of a fall instead of stopping one in progress. The lighting pockets are open voids where everything is underhung and requires a tech to lay prone and reach down- not ideal.

A question though- are all retracting life lines built the same? I was looking at this one over from Sapsis, but it doesn't advertise an instant catch (I'm assuming like a seatbelt lock type grab). Something like that wouldn't shock load anything as much as the traditional style lanyards.

Click to expand...

The Turbolite's we use are primarily at the top of a big ol' building at 120ft to keep us from going off the unprotected leading edge and having to yodel for a rescue. Better to eliminate a fall, than to arrest one. The Turbolite's can stop you within a couple inches, depending on model/application. And I can still walk around 8 ft or so at a time. Difference between my scenario and yours is I'm anchored to essentially a roller coaster, so the engineering capacities may possibly exceed your venue. So, again, we're back to "it depends" and what @egilson said.

Also have you considered sliding beam clamps? It's not been uncommon for us to go out with 2 of these each to get around with/on in certain spots.
https://www.grainger.com/product/36...Cx8NvdkHbXdlfyiPBfRoCTRcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

On the other coast, we have a lot of the 3M Rebels or the smaller Turbolites. Many times just standing back up after leaning over to grab a tool in a lift stops you. It doesn’t take much for the quick action stop to kick in if you were starting to trip.

For us in Australia definitions are made for fall arrest and fall prevention.
Fall Arrest is where someone can fall a distance greater than 600mm (2ft) and if you are using this you need to have a rescue plan in place while doing the work.
Fall Prevention is where someone can fall less than 600mm.
Fall arrest and prevention anchors must be able to withstand a force of 15kn for a single person or 21kn for 2 people. While weight and force are different it sort of equates to 1500kg and 2100kg load.
Remember this is not WLL. That is different. An anchor can fail at 15.1kn but still be suitable for a fall arrest anchor.