High-energy falls with ABSORBICA-I and Y lanyard
The energy absorption capacity of the ABSORBICA-I and Y can be exceeded if a heavy user falls a significant distance.
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.
Remember:
The energy absorber on the ABSORBICA-I and Y lanyards is suitable for the maximum falls in certification tests:
- 100 kg falling 4 m (EN 355)
- 128 kg falling 3.66 m (ANSI Z359-13 12ft)
Any fall of greater energy exposes the user to a significant impact force.
A fall test of 4 m was carried out with a 140 kg dummy: the energy absorber was completely torn, with a measured impact force of 10.4 kN.
For a 100 to 140 kg user with a lanyard longer than 1.80 m, the fall distance must be monitored or limited.
- By monitoring the user's position relative to the anchor to optimize the potential fall distance
- Or by using a short lanyard to physically limit the potential fall distance
Benchmarks:
With a 120 kg mass, the energy absorption capacity of the ABSORBICA-I and Y lanyards is exceeded in a fall of 3.8 m or more.
With a 140 kg mass, the energy absorption capacity of the ABSORBICA-I and Y lanyards is exceeded in a fall of 3.2 m or more.
Note 1
Only an ABSORBICA-I or Y 150 fitted with an MGO 110 actually measures close to 2 m in length, allowing a 4 m fall distance.
The ABSORBICA-I or Y 150 lanyards, fitted with an MGO 60 or an MGO OPEN and a standard connector on the harness end, measure less than 1.8 m. The maximum possible fall distance with these lanyards (unextended) is 3.6 m: they may be used with a mass up to 130 kg.
Note 2
Even if the energy absorption capacity allows a 3.6 or 4 m fall to be arrested with an "acceptable" impact force of less than 6 kN, such a fall is not harmless.
At all times, it is recommended to reduce the fall distance as much as possible.
