Slinging an anchor with ABSORBICA-I and Y lanyards
Some anchors cannot be clipped with a connector, but may be slung with the lanyard.
Warnings
- Carefully read the Instructions for Use used in this technical advice before consulting the advice itself. You must have already read and understood the information in the Instructions for Use to be able to understand this supplementary information.
- Mastering these techniques requires specific training. Work with a professional to confirm your ability to perform these techniques safely and independently before attempting them unsupervised.
- We provide examples of techniques related to your activity. There may be others that we do not describe here.
Standards aspect
The ANSI Z359.13 standard has a test with a slung anchor.
ANSI Z359.13 test protocol:
Slung metal beam of 25 cm x 25 cm
Slow pull on the lanyard for one minute
Test passed if the strength is greater than 22.2 kN
Results:
• ABSORBICA-Y TIE-BACK lanyard: breaks at 27 kN
• ABSORBICA-I and Y rope lanyards: break at 12 kN
• ABSORBICA-I and Y elasticized webbing lanyards: break at 19 kN
In use
Only the ABSORBICA-Y TIE-BACK lanyard passes the ANSI Z359.13 wrap-around test.
However, the values recorded for rope and webbing lanyards are greater than the maximum impact force sustained by the user in a fall on the ABSORBICA-I or Y.
So it is possible to use these lanyards to sling an anchor by paying attention to the specific risks listed below.
Risks specific to slinging a structure
Warning: it is everyone’s responsibility to do their own risk analysis depending on the situation. The risks presented below are non-exhaustive.
The anchor
Check the general condition of the structure to be used as an anchor; make sure that it has no burrs or sharp edges. Beware of friction against the structure that could damage the lanyard.
The lanyard
Verify that the lanyard length is suitable for the size of the anchor to be slung. Use a lanyard type that is suitable for the anchor to be slung.
Connectors
Check that your connector is properly positioned when slinging an anchor. The possibilities of poor positioning are numerous (cantilever loading, loading over an edge, pressure on the gate, pulley effect on the connector frame...).
WARNING: if you use an ABSORBICA lanyard to sling a beam, during a fall there can be a pulley effect on the connector’s frame if it is subjected to cantilever loading (greater load on the connector).
As a reminder, a non-exhaustive list of incorrect connector positions:
Setup tip for slinging a large diameter anchor
It is possible to add an attachment point to your ABSORBICA, for slinging a large structure and reducing cantilever loading situations for the lanyard-end connectors:
Install a RING OPEN in the yellow loop on the energy absorber (lanyard-arms end).
Beware of friction against the structure that could damage the lanyard.
Warning: do not install the RING OPEN at any other location on your energy absorber. Follow the installation directions in the Instructions for Use for your RING OPEN.
Caution regarding the connector used for slinging a large-diameter anchor with a RING OPEN. A connector with a protruding nose relative to the gate can snag in the RING OPEN. So there is a risk of the lanyard disconnecting in the event of a fall.
