In fall arrest systems, safety does not depend only on the installed product, but on the entire process, from design and manufacturing to use and maintenance.
Each of the parts involved is therefore key, and several questions can arise from that: How far does the manufacturer’s responsibility extend? What is the installer’s liability? Is a system invalidated by an installation error?
In this article we will try to answer some of these questions.
How Far Does the Manufacturer’s Responsibility Extend?
The manufacturer, as the company that designs and creates the products, has a duty to provide certain guarantees and has obligations toward its customers, the installers.
What Does the Manufacturer Guarantee When Delivering a System?
When a manufacturing company designs, plans, and manufactures a fall arrest system, it delivers documentation that guarantees certain aspects, for example:
- That it has been designed and manufactured in accordance with the corresponding standards (EN14122, EN795, EN353, etc.)
- That it has passed the tests at a laboratory accredited to perform them on this type of fall arrest system (a textile laboratory is not the same as a mechanical one)
- That it has the necessary technical documentation for its assembly (manual, data sheet, etc.)
The guarantee provided by the manufacturer is based on the system being used under the conditions for which it was designed and manufactured.
How Far Does the Manufacturer’s Responsibility Extend?
The manufacturer is responsible for the fall arrest system it produces and sells with regard to its correct design and manufacture, the accuracy of the documentation, and the product’s compliance with the regulations in force.
However, it cannot be held liable where the product has been incorrectly installed, improperly used, or modified in part or in whole.
Is the Manufacturer Liable If the System Is Installed Outside Its Instructions?
No. If the system is installed without following the manufacturer’s instruction manual, or if elements have been added or removed without its authorization, that guarantee is “broken.”
So in that case:
- The system is no longer considered installed under its certification
- The manufacturer cannot guarantee that it will work correctly in the event of a fall
What Responsibility Does the Installer Assume?
Like the manufacturing company, the installation company or self-employed installer takes on certain duties and obligations when installing a fall arrest system.
What Happens When the Installer Agrees to Install a System?
When installing a fall arrest system, the installer assumes responsibility for doing so in accordance with certain criteria:
- Following the manufacturer’s instructions
- Checking that the anchor or substrate is suitable for the environment, that is, choosing the most suitable system for the project
- Ensuring that the system remains operational and that it would work correctly in the event of a fall
Must the Installer Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions?
Yes. The manufacturer provides an assembly manual or instruction manual with the system, which specifies, for example, which screws and bolts or which anchors to use depending on the type of structure we may encounter.
If the installer decides to ignore or not follow these instructions, they run the risk of installing a system different from the certified one and, in the event of an accident, having to take on technical and legal liability.
What Happens If the Installer Adapts or Modifies the System on Site?
For any adaptation of a fall arrest system to be valid, it must have the manufacturer’s authorization, so in some cases this type of modification can be made, since the manufacturer’s backing is in place.
In all other cases, any adaptation or modification voids the certification and shifts liability in the event of an accident to the installer.
What Documentation Must the Installer Produce After Installation?
After installing a fall arrest system, the installation company must provide certain documents, such as:
- Installation certificate
- Identification of the system and its components
- Installation date
- Installation company details
This information is key for future inspections and reviews of the system.
When Does an Installation Error Invalidate a Certified System?
A system is invalidated, meaning that in the event of an accident it would not be considered fit for use, when the manufacturer’s instructions are not followed during installation (and there is no express authorization from the manufacturer to deviate from them). Some examples would be:
- Screws and bolts different from those specified
- Not all components of the system are installed
- Unsuitable or untested anchors are installed
- The specified distances are not respected
Who Is Liable in an Inspection or Accident?
In the event of an accident, or even without one, when an inspection is carried out by the relevant authority, both the manufacturer and the installer must present the documentation required of them.
For the manufacturer, this is usually:
- Product certificate
- Test certificate or declaration of conformity
- Installation manuals
For the installer, this is usually:
- Installation certificate
- Record of installation and inspections (if it has already undergone them)
- Evidence, normally in the form of photos, that it was installed following the manufacturer’s instructions
How Is Liability Determined When There Is an Inspection or an Incident?
In an inspection, whether following an accident or not, the investigation focuses on following the process from the design and manufacture of the product to its installation in the environment where it is used.
For this reason, we may face the following questions, and depending on the answer, liability will fall on one party or another:
- Was the system manufactured in accordance with the regulations?
The system manufacturer is responsible for this
- Is it installed following the manufacturer’s instructions?
The installer is responsible for ensuring it is assembled according to the manuals provided
- Has it been modified or used outside its conditions of use?
The end user may have altered elements of the system without realizing that this makes it unfit for use.
Conclusion
As we have seen, the safety and correct operation of a fall arrest system is the result of a chain of responsibilities, where each link must act consciously and fulfill its role.
If this chain is “broken” at any point in the process, it can lead to the system being invalidated or, worse, to accidents with serious consequences.
In fall arrest systems, safety begins with design and manufacturing, which is why, as manufacturers, we are committed to creating our products in accordance with the regulations and the highest quality standards.