8
4.0
OPERATION AND USE:
WARNING: Consult your doctor if there is reason to doubt your fitness to absorb the impact from a fall arrest. Age and
fitness can affect your ability to withstand fall arrest forces. Pregnant women and minors must not use the Sayfline
Multi-span Wire Rope Horizontal Lifeline System.
4.1
BEFORE EACH USE inspect this equipment according to steps listed in section 6.4. Do not use this equipment if
inspection reveals an unsafe or defective condition. Plan your use of the fall protection system prior to
exposing workers to dangerous situations. Consider all factors affecting your safety before using this system.
A. Read and understand all manufacturer’s instructions for each component of the personal fall arrest system. All
DBI/SALA harnesses and connecting subsystems are supplied with separate user instructions. Keep all
instructions for future reference.
B. Review sections 1.0 and 2.0 to ensure system limitations and other requirements have been adhered to.
Review applicable information regarding system clearance criteria, and ensure changes have not been made
to the system installation (i.e. length), or occurred at the job site, that could affect the required fall clearance.
Do not use the system if changes are required.
4.2
USE OF THE SYSTEM:
A. PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEM COMPONENTS: Inspect and don the full body harness according to
manufacturer’s instructions. Attach the connecting subsystem (energy absorbing lanyard or self retracting
lifeline) to the dorsal connection on the harness. If a self retracting lifeline (SRL) is used, DBI/SALA recommends
using SRLs that are 20 feet long or shorter. The weight of longer SRLs may cause the Sayflink sleeve to
catch on intermediate brackets, causing the lifeline to extend which may result in an unexpected swing fall.
WARNING: If the Sayflink sleeve catches on an intermediate bracket, the SRL lifeline may extend while the worker moves
along the HLL. This will increase fall distance and create a swing fall hazard which may result in serious injury or death.
B. CONNECTING TO THE HLL SYSTEM: Approach the work area using the appropriate access equipment.
Connect the personal fall arrest system to one of the D-rings on a Sayflink sleeve on the HLL. Connectors
must meet all compatibility and strength requirements.
C. WALKING ALONG THE SYSTEM: Once attached to the Sayfline System, the Sayflink Sleeve will follow the
user along the lifeline and will automatically pass over each intermediate support bracket.
WARNING: Movement along the Sayfline System must be done manually by the user of the system. Never allow moving
stock (such as railcars) to move the user along the Sayfline System. This could cause serious injury or death.
D. HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS: Do not take unnecessary risks, such as jumping or reaching too far from the
edge of the working surface. Do not allow the connecting subsystem to pass under arms or between feet. To
avoid inadequate fall clearance, do not climb above the HLL. To avoid swing fall hazards, do not work too far
from either side of the HLL.
E. TWO PERSONS CONNECTED TO THE HLL: When a person falls while connected to the HLL, the system
will deflect. If two persons are connected to the same HLL, and one person falls, the second person may be
pulled off the working surface due to deflection. The potential for the second person falling increases as the
HLL span length increases. The use of independent HLL systems for each person, or shorter span length, is
recommended to minimize the potential of the second person falling.
F.
FREE FALL: The personal fall arrest system must be rigged to limit free falls to six feet or less when using an
energy absorbing lanyard, or such that the SRL is overhead and without slack, according to OSHA requirements.
G. SHARP EDGES: Avoid working where the connecting subsystem or other system components will be in
contact with, or abrade against, unprotected sharp edges. If working around sharp edges is unavoidable,
provide protection by securing a heavy pad or other means over the exposed edge.
H. IN THE EVENT OF A FALL: The responsible party must have a rescue plan and the ability to implement a
