For more than 30 years, Arbor Age magazine has been covering new and innovative products, services, technology and research vital to tree care companies, municipal arborists and utility right-of-way maintenance companies
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TRAINING & EDUCATION Photo by Scott Prophett Fall Support Systems Because gravity is the law By Michael "House" Tain A lthough most tree crews probably do not spend a great deal of time and energy discussing "fall support systems" over cold beverages in their downtime, the reality is that these systems are an integral and vital part of every tree care professional's working life. More often called saddles or harnesses in the "real world," fall support systems are one of the primary tools that allow climbing arborists to do what they do in a safe, secure and efficient manner.The variety, comfort and adjustability of harnesses continues to grow and expand in the arboricultural world on almost a yearly basis, particularly when it is considered that for many years, and until fairly recently, climbers fashioned their own harnesses out of the end of their climbing lines. But even with all these many harness options, a knowledge and understanding of fall support systems' intended use and operations is vital for tree care professionals. Matt Logan preparing to footlock while wearing a full-body Buckingham Ergovation while using the sliding D attachment ring. Fall restraint This system could be considered the most basic of fall support systems; and is intended to prevent the user from getting into a position where they might take a fall, or restraining them from taking a fall. Although it has several applications and uses in other industries, the main appropriate example from the tree care industry is the use of a body belt with appropriate lanyard in aerial lifts. Many companies, municipalities, and states/provinces require fall arrest systems when using an aerial lift, but there are some where only a fall restraint system is required. The key element of any fall restraint system, regardless of use or application, is the length of the lanyard, as this is the component that prevents the user from reaching a position with fall potential. This relates to the earlier discussion of the importance of systems over components; and users of a fall restraint system should be using the appropriate lanyards — typically 24-inch or less. Tree care professionals should always keep in mind that a key part of all fall support systems is that they are "systems," meaning the harness is simply one component of them. Systems Although it may seem quite obvious, tree care professionals should always keep in mind that a key part of all fall support systems is that they are "systems," meaning the harness is simply one component of them.As will be more fully described below, each type of system needs to be matched with the appropriate components to work well and correctly. For example, matching a harness intended for fall restraint with components intended for fall arrest negates the effectiveness, and more importantly the safety, of the whole system; and may very well result in an emergency room visit for the user.This is yet another reason that it is important to understand the different type of fall support systems, their uses, and required components. 16 Arbor Age / July/August 2013 Fall arrest A fall arrest system is one meant to not only stop a fall to the ground from occurring, but also to "spread" the forces generated by the fall over the user's body, and absorb those forces in the most "survivable"manner.This system is used in many industrial applications, but in the tree care industry the most prevalent example is a full-body harness with a dorsal attachment point coupled with a deceleration lanyard.The full-body harness is designed to dissipate the www.arborage.com