Using personal fall protection equipment, work restraint is a technique that prevents techs from reaching zones where the risk of a fall from height exists.

There are two types of exclusion zones where this is relevant.

Anchor Area Exclusion Zone
(aka a rope access controlled area)

This exclusion zone is set up at the top of the structure that’s being accessed. It creates a barrier to the anchor points and prevents any unsupervised personnel from accessing the working edge.

You don’t necessarily need to be attached to a work restraint line in this zone, but you will if you step into the…

Working Edge Hazard Zone

Inside of the anchor exclusion zone there is another exclusion area called the working edge hazard zone. WorkSafe BC classifies this area as being 6 feet from an exposed edge (refer to your local legislation to find out if this is relevant to you). Absolutely no one should be allowed to enter this zone without being attached to a properly anchored safety line. Suitable barriers to this zone might include handrails or grating that deliberately need to be lifted to get through.

During your IRATA Assessment, L2 and L3 certifying techs may be asked to demonstrate competence rigging an effective work restraint line.

Your assessor will specifically be watching to ensure that…

• The restraint method you’ve used works, and will prevent an attached tech from entering a fall hazard zone – keeping them within a safe area where they are supported by the structure.
• You understand how to use work restraint equipment, when and where it is appropriate to use, and respect/ are aware of its limitations. This may include a knowledge of standards.
• You understand when one point of attachment or single lines for work restraint are an option.

If you’re working area is large, your work restraint lines will be long and you’ll have to make allowances for any potential sag or stretch of the line. This will also be the case if your work restraint system is on a horizontal anchor line. Your assessor will also be watching to make sure you’re aware of this.

There isn’t just one way to rig a work restraint line. You could rig a line using a simple fixed-length lanyard anchored to a single anchor, or you could use an adjustable lanyard running along a second horizontal line anchored at both ends. Depending on the scenario, there are several options to choose from. We’ll go over all of them during your training week, and explain how to select the most appropriate work restraint technique for a given scenario.

Additional resources to check out:

TACS 6.4.10 for the source material for this blog.

--

This is part of an ongoing series, where we’re breaking down IRATA’s syllabus and clarifying exactly what ‘demonstrating competence’ and ‘demonstrating awareness’ means, and what will be expected of you on assessment day. As an IRATA L2 certifying tech, you’re expected to be fully competent with the L1 Syllabus. To return back to the IRATA L2 Study Guide or IRATA L3 Study Guide, click below: