Question 1

What additional fall-clearance factor must be calculated and added when working out whether there is enough clear distance below a worker for a fall-arrest system to work safely?

Accepted Answer

The lanyard/lifeline length, plus deceleration distance from the shock absorber deploying, plus the worker's height, plus a safety margin If the total fall clearance required exceeds the actual distance available below the work position, the worker could strike a lower level or structure before the fall-arrest system fully decelerates them — in that case fall restraint, a shorter lanyard, or a different work position must be used instead.

Question 2

What is the fundamental difference between 'fall restraint' and 'fall arrest'?

Accepted Answer

Fall restraint physically prevents the worker from reaching a fall hazard at all; fall arrest allows the worker to fall but stops/arrests that fall before they hit a lower level Restraint is higher in the hierarchy of controls because it removes the possibility of a fall occurring at all — the worker simply cannot get close enough to the edge. Fall arrest accepts a fall may happen and focuses on limiting its consequences, which is why fall arrest (and only fall arrest) requires a rescue plan.

Question 3

Why does a fall restraint system NOT require a rescue plan in the way a fall arrest system does?

Accepted Answer

Because if correctly set up, restraint prevents the worker reaching the fall hazard in the first place, so there is no fall event and no suspended casualty to rescue This is precisely why restraint is preferred wherever the task allows it — it eliminates the suspension trauma/rescue problem altogether rather than managing it after the fact, which is a significant operational and safety advantage on a vessel with limited onboard rescue resources.