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Anchor Points 
Pre-engineered or custom anchor points for many different applications.
Cable-Based Lifelines
Horizontal and vertical cable lifeline systems, for travel restraint or fall arrest.
Catwalks
Provide safe and easy access to elevated work stations while mitigating fall hazards.
Confined Space & Rescue
Equipment for access in confined spaces, or to allow for prompt worker rescue.
Ladder Systems
Safety systems designed to keep users on ladders protected from falls.
Loading Platforms, Stairs & Gangways
Passive safety systems that protect workers no matter what they need to access.
Portable Fall Protection
Systems that can be moved or stored as needed, for ultimate flexibility.
Rigid Rail Systems
In areas with minimal fall clearance, rigid rail systems are the solution.
Roof Fall Protection
Systems to protect rooftop workers from inboard and outboard fall hazards.
Roof Guardrail & Safety Railing
Passive safety solutions that don't require special training or regular inspections & testing to be compliant.
Suspended Access & Window Washing
Anchorage products, davits, monorails, and rigging sleeves for window washing and suspended access maintenance.

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If your worker is subject to a fall while on the job, Diversified has a solution. We can design, engineer, fabricate, and install fall protection systems for any application.

Aircraft & Aerospace
Proven fall protection solutions for aviation maintenance and manufacturing.
Construction
Permanent and temporary fall protection solutions for construction applications.
Feed & Grain
Solutions for feed & grain worker protection during storage, maintenance, transportation, and more.
Government & Military
Fall protection solutions for government and military installations, including aircraft hangars, rooftops, and more.
Healthcare & Education
Systems for hospitals, schools, universities, and more.
Industrial Applications
Versatile safety systems for industrial facilities.
Oil, Gas, & Chemical
Protect at-height workers on silos, towers, pipe racks, drilling platforms, rigs, and more.
Retail Fall Protection Equipment
Systems to protect workers at shopping and retail centers.
Road & Rail
Railcar, truck, and bus fall protection solutions.
Ship & Barge
Fall protection for ships & barges transporting oil, grain, materials, and more.
Stadiums, Arenas, & Convention Centers
Keep workers and visitors safe while protecting aesthetics at any large venue.
Steel & Foundry
Fall protection solutions for foundry and steel mill applications, including crane rails & more.
Suspended Access & Window Washing
Anchors, outriggers & rigging sleeves, davit systems, and more for suspended access.
Utilities & Energy
Systems for power plants, solar and wind generation, and more.
Data Centers
Systems that protect workers maintaining critically important data equipment. 

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Not sure which system you need? Find the right solution for your application by industry.

Fall Hazard Assessment
A fall protection expert can visit your site to assess all fall hazards and ensure nothing is missed.
Design & Engineering
Our in-house P.E.s and structural engineers design application-specific fall protection systems to meet your specific needs.
Guardrail Rental
Only need to ensure safety for a temporary job or construction project? Diversified offers OSHA-compliant guardrail rental to keep you compliant without needing to purchase a full system.
Fabrication
While we have excellent relationships with many suppliers, we also have the capability to design custom products & solutions for a variety of applications.
Installation
Diversified has a network of installers nationwide who will ensure your system is installed correctly.
Training
Required Authorized User & Competent Person training, performed onsite to avoid workplace disruptions.
Inspections & Recertification
We will perform federally mandated annual inspections, or regular required recertification & testing of systems. When we inspect systems, we assume all liability for its proper functioning.
SIT Services for California
OPOS creation, suspended access inspection, letters of written assurance, and more

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Diversified will perform all necessary services to keep your site compliant, and provides and stores all documentation about its performance as required by OSHA.

OSHA & ANSI Regulations
A breakdown of current OSHA regulations and ANSI standards and how you can ensure your compliance
Product Literature
Access our full spec sheet library to learn more about our fall protection products and systems.
ROI Calculator
Get a general idea of how much a single workplace accident can end up costing.

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Learn about fall protection every week in our free educational webinars! Most are eligible for AIA continuing education credit.

10 Oct, 2016 fall protection

Lanyards versus Self-Retracting Lifelines & Personal Fall Arrest System

Tool box talks often make reference to the ABCD’s of fall protection–Anchorage, Body Harness, Connecting Device, and Descent/Rescue.  In this post, our focus is the letter C and we’ll discuss the pros and cons of common connecting devices:  shock absorbing lanyards, self-retracting lifelines (SRL’s) and personal fall limiters (PFL’s).

If you are wondering which classification of connecting device is best, there is no universal answer.  As PPE (personal protective equipment) goes, lanyards are less expensive than SRL’s and PFL’s, so when cost is the primary concern, lanyards often get the nod.  That said, we caution making safety decisions exclusively on price. When looking beyond cost, remember, lanyards are not always the best option because they require more fall distance clearance than a self-retracting lifeline or personal fall arrest system.

You’ll pay more for SRL’s and PFL’s but retractable connecting devices arrest falls faster than lanyards.  During a fall, the braking mechanism inside an SRL or PFL begins to engage within 8 to 9 inches, decelerating the drop, and within 2-4 feet, the fall is arrested.

With a typical lanyard, you’ll experience free fall the entire length of the connecting device before the shock absorbing stitching starts to give way.  You also need to factor in the height of the worker, deceleration distance, and OSHA’s safety factor of two feet.  All said, lanyard fall clearance distance approaches between 17 and 18 feet.  When you look hard at these numbers, you begin to see why many employees prefer retractables.

Although reducing fall clearance distance is important (and even vital with some applications) there are other advantages to SRL’s.  Assuming a fixed anchor point, the working radius is limited by lanyard length.  Moving beyond this compact work area requires disconnecting from the original anchorage and re-connecting to a new anchor point.  With retractable devices, the worker is free to cover a larger work radius.

Assuming you are inclined to recommend use of a retractable, you still have some choices to make.  Although both SRL’s and PFL’s work in similar fashion, there are some important differences.  SRL’s tend to be heavier, and as such, they are typically attached to the anchor point whereas the lighter PFL is usually attached to the user’s harness.  SRL’s are also available in longer lengths.

MSA-Latchways has just introduced a new, compact PFL for close anchorage applications (e.g., construction) called the Mini PFL.  Available in single and double leg configurations with a wide range of snap hook and carabiner options, the Mini PFL is the world’s first self-retracting lifeline to feature multiple spring radial energy-absorbing technology.  The image below details the features that are built into Latchways PFL’s:

personal fall arrest system, fall protection lanyards fall protection lanyard

**Download the MSA-Latchways 10′ PFL Product Bulletin**

**Download the MSA-Latchways 6′ Mini-PFL Product Bulletin**

Remember, saving money is a moot point if the PPE can’t arrest a fall before your employee strikes the ground or equipment beneath the work area.  And while it is tempting to shop on price, remember to carefully consider cost and APPLICATION before selecting fall protection PPE.

If you have questions about choosing the right PPE for your fall protection application, or need to order Self-Retracting Lifelines, Personal Fall Arrest system, or Lanyards, contact the safety experts at Diversified Fall Protection for further assistance.

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