SITE TIPS: Why you MUST have a shock-absorbing lanyard (VIDEO) to work safely at heights

The days of fixed 6-foot lanyards attached to your safety harness are gone. CSA rules have changed to require shock-absorbing lanyards, explains Alec Caldwell in this video.

In addition to being an outspoken editorial writer for Canadian Contractor for many years, Alec is the co-founder with Monica Olenroot of CARAHS, the Canadian Association of Renovators and Home Services. CARAHS is an Ontario Minister of Labour approved Working at Heights trainer.

What’s wrong with fixed lanyards of, say, six feet? Well, as Alex demonstrates, a 220 lb. construction worker falling through that 6-foot drop and then being snapped to a dead halt by a fixed lanyard will experience 5,000 pounds of brute force!

That’s enough for fatal internal injuries to occur.

But with a shock-absorbing lanyard, that slows down the deceleration as it unfurls, that brute force can be reduced to 900 pounds.

See a great video showing a mannequin falling in such situations, here.

If you have ANY questions about Working At Heights training – or this video about lanyards – you can reach Alec at acaldwell@carahs.org.

Canadian Contractor SITE TIPS are brought to you by Home Hardware.