Horizontal Safety Lines
What Is A Horizontal Safety Line?
A horizontal safety solution is specifically designed with worker safety in mind. It acts as both a fall arrest system and fall protection system, meaning it is chiefly designed to stop falls from height happening in the first place, but can also act as a form of rescue equipment and arrest system that prevents impact forces from causing a serious injury when a fall does occur.
Essentially a horizontal wire is rigged up to at least two anchor points on the roof, providing stable bases that can protect workers if a fall should happen. From there, workers can attach themselves using a safety harness to move around the roof hands free. This allows them to complete any repair or maintenance tasks without having to be in constant contact with the safety line using their hands. Instead, their harness attaches them to the horizontal line for safety.
It's an affordable solution that offers a range of protections to workers. But their installation MUST be carried out by a competent person with the proper training.
You can find that at Altus Safety, where our team of working at height safety experts can design and install the perfect horizontal safety line system for you.
Installing Horizontal Lifeline Systems At Your Site
Horizontal Lifeline Systems are also referred to as a Mansafe System, fall arrest system, fall restraint system, horizontal safety lines or a harness line which minimise the consequences of falls from height. A horizontal lifeline system is an affordable, suitable solution should working at height be unavoidable and guarding not achievable.
These market leading systems are used when edge protection is not able to be installed due to the nature of the building. This system offers a visually appealing safety alternative instead.
The horizontal lifeline system is typically designed for 2/3 users at any one time and requires more advanced training on working at height and PPE. Fall arrest systems will require suitable rescue plans and rescue training. Our Altus 360 program could be of interest to you.
Our training program teaches your workers all about working at height safely and using the new system installed at your site. Contact our friendly team if you think we could support your team's training today.
We work with a range of leading equipment manufacturers to provide the highest standard of safety to suit your needs. All of our horizontal safety line services comply with BS EN 795: 2012 C, BS 7883: 2019, and CEN/TS 16415:2013 regulations and British Standards.
Horizontal safety lines, as well as any fall arrest system used for Work at Height must be inspected and compliance tested once every 12 months to meet current legislation.
Key Benefits of Horizontal Lifeline Systems
Horizontal Safety Line Systems can be designed and installed as either a fall restraint system or fall arrest system
These Fall Arrest Systems are suitable for 2/3 users requiring more advanced training on working at height and PPE.
Horizontal Safety Lines are suitable for occasional/less regular access for short/medium durations of time.
Horizontal Lifeline Systems offer continuous hands free access for users
They offer a discrete and aesthetically pleasing design
They are ideal for virtually all types of roofs and structures
16 Questions when choosing a Fall Protection Company
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Horizontal safety systems are designed using custom design software to calculate system performance for reliable levels of safety. They always have at least 2 anchor points to protect users should the roof beneath them give out.
As both a fall protection and fall arrest system, they protect against falls and work to lessen the impact of falls when they do happen.
Different components make up a safety line system as a result of their dual use, but typically include:
a wire set up on a horizontal plane
harnesses
an anchor point at either end of the system
shock absorbing lanyards
self retracting lifelines
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The system can be fixed to virtually all types of roofs and structures, providing a discrete and aesthetically pleasing solution where collective measures offering fall protection are not suitable.
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Horizontal safety systems offer continuous hands free access for all aspects of roof inspection and maintenance - as such, they're responsible for worker safety whilst working at height, and are designed to withstand significant load in the event of a fall.
It is therefore required by law that this system is inspected and certified every 12 months as a minimum, along with any associated personal protective equipment (PPE) or additional features.
As well as horizontal safety lines which use a travelling device on the cable, Altus Safety also offers horizontal track systems that work with a trolley mechanism. These will require inspection and maintenance also for further protection.
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Horizontal safety systems are a flexible solution for protecting people working at height. These cost effective, user friendly systems are ideal for almost all types of roof and flat structures to suit a wide range of purposes.
These systems support multiple workers for both fall arrest or work restraint and are designed for maximum safety. As a result, they must comply with the following standards:
EN795 Class A and C Standards
Testing/Inspection standards and frequency:
Class C Fall Protection systems under BS EN 795 – minimum of every 12 months and/or after every fall by a working at height specialist company
All of our horizontal safety line installations meet all required regulations and standards.
These systems and any associated PPE equipment must be inspected before and after every use by a trained user.
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Horizontal safety systems are limited in the level of customisation that can be offered, mostly because the system acts as personal fall protection, so the materials used must be standardised to provide the best protection possible. Typically, horizontal lifeline systems are made of a strong stainless steel according to strict safety regulations to protect workers in the best way and ensure the system can withstand the force asked of them. A number of finishes are available, however:
Finishes:
Certain components only can be powder coated to any RAL colour if required
Electro-polished for greater longevity
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Horizontal safety systems are also known as:
Safety line, lifeline, fall arrest, fall restraint, man line, roof safety wire, fall protection systems, anchor systems.
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These systems are commonly installed in the following sectors:
Residential
Industrial
Offices
Retail
Hotels / Leisure
Education
Healthcare
Utilities
Our Services
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Height Safety Survey & Risk Assessment
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Fall Arrest Design, Supply & Installation
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Work at Height Inspection, Testing & Maintenance
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Height Safety Training, Courses & Seminar
