20.11.2009

Standards Australia has released a new edition of AS/NZS 1891.4:2009, Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices - Selection, use and maintenance

This Standard specifies requirements and sets out recommendations for the selection, safe use and maintenance of industrial fall-arrest systems and devices based on the use of safety harnesses, horizontal life lines and rails, fall-arrest devices, and associated lanyards, connectors, anchorages and fittings.
 
The standard provides guidance where fall-arrest systems are placed within the hierarchy of control for fall protection.
 
Principal changes from the previous edition are:
(a) Removal of ‘total restraint’ from the scope of the Standard as equipment provided solely for restraint purposes is not dealt with in the AS/NZS 1891 series of Standards.
(b) Minimum allowable anchorage strength to be 12 kN or 15 kN depending on fall distance.
(c) New terminology for harnesses (full or lower body) and positioning of fall-arrest attachment points.
(d) Inclusion of twin-tail lanyards.
(e) In-service values for the extension of personal energy absorbers in fall situations.
(f) Lower body harness use restricted to limited free fall and restrained fall.
(g) Updated requirements for operator training and assessment.
(h) The term ‘suspension trauma’ has been changed to ‘suspension intolerance (trauma)’.
(i) A belt or waist strap alone in lieu of a harness is no longer permitted for any of the applications in this Standard to protect against a potential fall.
 
Risk Response + Rescues staff are able to assist with compliance with this new standard and many others applicable to areas of our expertise