What Is a Rail Lifeline ?
To prevent falls and maintain workers’ safety, rail lifelines are mainly used, a fall arrest safety system for work at height.
This type of lifeline consists of a rigid rail, generally made of metal, which is installed on a fixed structure, such as a ceiling, a wall, a ladder, or a beam.
A carriage or mobile device travels along the rail, to which the worker connects via a safety harness.
This fall arrest safety system can be installed on both horizontal and vertical surfaces and consists of the following elements:
- Rail: It is made of durable materials such as steel or aluminum. It provides a solid surface for the mobile device to travel along.
- Mobile fall arrest device: This is the carriage that moves along the rail and to which the worker’s harness is attached. This device allows the user to move freely along the lifeline without disconnecting from the system.
- Anchor points: They are at the ends of the lifeline and are anchored to the structure, ensuring the system remains fixed and secure.
Rail Lifeline Regulations
Rail lifelines are governed by two different standards depending on their type of installation, whether horizontal or vertical.
- UNE EN 795:2012: Personal fall protection equipment. Anchor devices.
This standard sets out the requirements and test methods for anchor devices, including those that are part of rail lifeline systems. It is divided into several categories, and class D is the one that specifically refers to rigid rails installed horizontally.
- UNE EN 353-1:2014: Personal fall protection equipment. Guided type fall arresters including a rigid anchor line. Part 1: Guided type fall arresters including a rigid anchor line.
This standard covers the requirements, test methods, and marking and user instructions for fall protection systems that use a rail lifeline installed vertically.
Rail lifelines must be installed by qualified personnel so that they can be used correctly and with complete safety. Maintenance must also be carried out by a person trained for it, and workers must receive training to use this type of system.
In addition, the regulations state that rail lifelines must be inspected regularly to detect any damage or wear that could compromise their integrity.
Where to Install a Rail Lifeline?
Rail lifelines can be installed in different work environments where the worker needs to be secured to prevent falls from high places.
Roofs and Ceilings
We can find them on building roofs where maintenance, cleaning, inspection, and repair tasks are performed, for example on roofs where solar panels are installed.
Facades and Vertical Structures
In very tall buildings where the system is needed for tasks such as window cleaning or facade inspection, repair, and maintenance.
Overhead Cranes and Industrial Structures
To access overhead cranes in factories and warehouses. In industrial plants and factories for jobs that require maintenance on elevated structures and equipment.
Transportation and Logistics
We can find them installed in hangars and maintenance areas to provide access to the upper parts of trains and aircraft. They are also placed in loading and unloading areas for large vehicles such as trucks and trains.
Construction Sites
In the construction of large structures, such as bridges and towers, where safe access at great heights is required.
Communication and Power Towers
Used for safe access for the maintenance and repair of antennas and other telecommunications equipment or power towers.
As we can see, a rail lifeline can be installed in different sectors, environments, and surfaces. Having these fall arrest safety systems installed in these places helps us minimize the risks associated with work at height, preventing falls and serious injuries.