Personal fall arrest energy absorbers: allowable mass estimation

Abstract

Two criteria for determining the capacity of personal fall arrest energy absorbers are maximum extension and maximum arrest force. There are concerns that despite the increasing weight of workers, most energy absorbers of personal fall arrest systems are only tested to 100kg. In a previous study, a series of dynamic drop tests based on the Australian and New Zealand fall protection equipment standard, AS/NZS 1891.1:2007, were conducted on seven types of energy absorbers (total of 31 samples). Based on the data from the experiments, empirical models for the extension and maximum arrest force are presented in this paper. Using these models, the maximum allowable mass can be calculated.