Fall Protection Glossary

Activation distance is the distance a fall protection device requires before its energy absorption or braking mechanism begins to operate during a fall.

Anchor point location refers to the position of an anchorage within a work area and its effect on fall protection performance, fall clearance and worker safety.

Anchorage is a secure structural point or engineered device designed to support personal fall protection systems by safely transferring fall arrest or restraint loads to a suitable structure.

Arrest distance is the total vertical distance a worker travels from the moment a fall begins until the fall arrest system brings them to a complete stop.

A body belt is a waist-mounted item of personal protective equipment designed for work positioning or restraint, but it must not be used as the primary means of fall arrest.

A body harness is personal fall protection equipment designed to distribute arrest forces across the strongest parts of the body while keeping the wearer securely connected to a fall protection system.

Breaking strength is the maximum force a material, component or fall protection device can withstand before it fails under controlled testing conditions.

Buckle adjustment is the process of correctly tightening and positioning the buckles on a safety harness to ensure proper fit, load distribution and fall protection performance.

Buddy rescue is a rescue method in which a trained co-worker safely recovers a casualty following a fall or other work at height emergency using pre-planned procedures and appropriate rescue equipment.

A Certificate of Compliance is a manufacturer's document confirming that a product has been manufactured, tested and supplied in accordance with the applicable standards, specifications or regulatory requirements.

Clearance distance is the minimum unobstructed vertical space required below a worker for a fall arrest system to stop a fall safely without the worker striking the ground or any obstacle.

Connector compatibility is the ability of connectors and other fall protection components to work together safely without reducing the performance or integrity of the entire system.

Controlled descent is the safe and regulated lowering of a person using specialised equipment that maintains a controlled descent speed during work at height or rescue operations.

Deceleration distance is the distance a fall arrest system requires to safely slow and stop a worker after a fall has occurred.

A dropped object hazard is the risk of tools, equipment or materials falling from height and causing injury, fatalities or damage to property and infrastructure.

Duty rating is the maximum load that equipment is designed and certified to support safely under specified operating conditions.

Dynamic load is the force generated when a moving person or object is suddenly accelerated, decelerated or stopped, particularly during a fall arrest event.

An edge hazard is any roof edge, floor opening or structural edge that presents a risk of falling or damaging fall protection equipment during work at height.

Emergency retrieval is the process of recovering a worker from height or a confined location using specialised rescue equipment following a fall, medical emergency or other hazardous incident.

An energy absorber is a fall protection device designed to reduce the forces generated during a fall by extending in a controlled manner before the worker comes to a complete stop.

Equipment inspection is the systematic examination of fall protection equipment to verify that it remains safe, functional and compliant before and throughout its service life.

An evacuation procedure is a documented process that defines how workers are safely removed from a hazardous area or elevated workplace during an emergency.

Fall arrest is a personal protection system designed to stop a worker safely after a fall has occurred while minimising arrest forces and preventing contact with the ground or other obstacles.

Fall clearance is the minimum unobstructed distance required below a worker to allow a fall arrest system to stop a fall safely without contact with the ground or any obstacle.

Fall distance is the total vertical distance a worker travels during a fall before the fall arrest system brings them safely to a complete stop.

Fall factor is the ratio between the distance a worker falls before the fall arrest system engages and the length of the lanyard or connecting system available to absorb that fall.

Fall prevention is the use of measures, equipment and safe working practices that stop workers from falling before a fall can occur.

Free fall is the uncontrolled vertical movement of a worker before a fall arrest system begins to engage and slow the descent.

Rated load is the maximum load that equipment is designed, tested and certified to support safely during normal operating conditions.

A rescue plan is a documented procedure that describes how a worker will be safely recovered following a fall or other emergency during work at height.

A rescue procedure is a documented plan that defines how a worker will be safely recovered after a fall or other emergency during work at height.

A risk assessment is the systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating risks and implementing suitable control measures before work at height begins.

Rope access is a specialised work at height technique that uses ropes, harnesses and controlled descent systems to provide safe access to difficult or inaccessible locations.