It is common practice for a worker to wrap a lanyard around a structural steel section for protection against falling. It was discovered during laboratory testing that 5/8-inch-wide (16 mm) 3-strand nylon lanyards lost up to 90% of their original strength when arresting a fall. The test was performed according to CSA Standard Z259.1-M1976. Similar tests on 7/8-inch-wide nylon web lanyards ended with no arrest at all. In both cases the lanyards’ loss of strength was caused by cutting action of the edges of the I-beam.
See “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” page 92.
Order your copy of “Introduction to Fall Protection, 4th Edition” today. This invaluable resource will take you from the structure design stage to post construction maintenance. Click to find out more!