Safety Regulations

WARNING! 

General Requirements

• Users must obey all applicable standards and regulations. Temporary horizontal lifeline (THLL) systems shall be installed and used under the supervision of a Qualified Person * as part of a complete personal fall arrest system that maintains a safety factor of at least two. DO NOT exceed the allowable free fall distance or maximum fall arrest forces specified by governing standards or subsystem components.
○ * Qualified Person: An individual with a recognized degree or professional certificate, and extensive knowledge and experience in the subject field, who is capable of design, analysis, evaluation, and specification in the subject work, project, or product. Refer to OSHA 1910.140, 1926.32, and 1926.502.
• This product is part of a fall protection system. National standards and state, provincial, and federal laws require the user to be trained before using this product. Use this manual as part of a user safety training program that is appropriate for the user's occupation. These instructions must be provided to users before use of the product and retained for ready reference by the user. The user must read, understand (or have explained), and obey all instructions, labels, markings, and warnings supplied with this product and with other products intended for use in association with this product. If this personal protective equipment (PPE) is resold, it is essential that the instructions for use, maintenance, and periodic examination are provided in the language of destination.
• Store the product per the instructions. Improper storage may lead to damage of critical components.

User Requirements

• Users shall be medically fit and suitably trained.
• THLL shall not be used by pregnant people, minors, or those under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• The maximum number of users for the system is two. The maximum weight of each user is 310 lbs (141 kg) including user, tools, and clothing.

Anchor Requirements / Swing Fall / Fall Clearances

• Anchorages must be capable of supporting the required load. See Section Product Specification for details on anchorage strength.
• Follow instructions provided with optional anchor slings to identify correct usage cases. DO NOT use anchor slings for purposes other than those for which they are designed.
• Ensure the available fall clearance is greater than the fall clearance shown in Section Fall Clearance Charts plus swing fall allowances determined by the Qualified Person.
• Prevent swing falls and impact with objects in or adjacent to the fall path. Keep work area free from debris, obstructions, trip hazards, spills or other hazards which could impair the safe operation of the fall protection system. Swing falls occur when the anchor point is not directly in-line with the user. The force of striking an object in a pendular (swinging) motion can cause serious injury. Always minimize swing falls by working in-line with the bypass shuttles as much as possible. Swing falls can increase clearance requirements. For potential swing fall scenarios DO NOT use the device until a Qualified Person has inspected the workplace for potential swing fall hazards and additional clearance requirements. Always remove obstructions below the work area to ensure a clear fall path.

Product Use

• THLL systems are only to be used for their intended purpose and within their limitations. DO NOT intentionally misuse this product. DO NOT use fall protection equipment for purposes other than those for which it is designed. DO NOT use fall protection equipment for towing, hoisting, or material handling.
• THLL systems shall not be altered or added to. No unauthorized repairs, modifications, alterations and/or additions are permitted.
• RESCUE AND EVACUATION: The user must have a rescue plan and the means at hand to implement it. The plan must take into account the equipment and specific training necessary to affect prompt rescue under all foreseeable conditions. If the rescue must be performed in a confined space, the provisions of OSHA regulation 1910.146 and ANSI Z117.1 must be taken into account. It is recommended to provide means for user evacuation without assistance of others. This will usually reduce the time to get to a safe place and reduce or prevent the risk to rescuers.
• Use only compatible components, connectors, and subsystems with this equipment. The use of non-approved components, connectors, or subsystems can put the safety and reliability of the complete system at risk. DO NOT change the design or configuration of the MSA Cable THLL or intentionally use it incorrectly.
• DO NOT rely on feel or sound to verify proper snaphook or carabiner engagement. Ensure that gate and keeper are closed before use.
• Avoid applying load to the carabiner gates. Additionally, avoid situations likely to reduce the connector's resistance, such as junctions with wide straps, use in leverage positions, use with load positioned on its minor axis, and use with the connector gate open.
• Remove any surface contamination such as, but not limited to, concrete, stucco, roofing material, etc. that could accelerate cutting or abrading of attached components.
• DO NOT use system adjacent to moving machinery, electrical hazards, or in the presence of excessive heat, open flame, or molten metal. DO NOT use the system in an environment where temperatures exceed 140°F (60°C).
• DO NOT leave the THLL installed in environments which could cause damage or deterioration to the product. Refer to Section Pre-Use Checks and Periodic Examination and Section Care, Maintenance, and Storage for inspection and care details.
• During installation and removal of the MSA Cable THLL, prevent exposure to fall hazards. If necessary, use an aerial work platform. During installation and removal of the MSA Cable THLL at height, take necessary precautions to prevent MSA Cable THLL components from falling from height.
• During installation, the line should be set up as close to horizontal as the work environment allows with a maximum acceptable line angle of +/- 5 degrees.
• Follow tensioning guidelines in instructions. Over-tensioning the lifeline could initiate tear-out of energy absorber or in the event of a fall overload end anchors. Under-tensioning of the system will result in an increased arrest distance.
• When a user falls while connected to the MSA Cable THLL system, the wire rope will deflect within the span to which the user is connected. If two users are connected to the system and one user falls, the second user can be pulled off the work surface because of the deflection of the MSA Cable THLL. The possibility that the second user will fall increases as the MSA Cable THLL span length increases.

Leading Edge-Specific Product Use

• Use in edge situations should only be as a last resort.
• Leading edge configurations shall only be used after all other hierarchy of controls, including restraint systems and overhead anchorages, have been exhausted.
• Prior to use, leading edges must be evaluated by a Qualified Person.
• Use only leading edge rated PPE with the THLL when leading edge hazards exist.
• DO NOT use where the horizontal lifeline could abrade against sharp, jagged, or abrasive edges.
• Avoid working where the leading edge rated PPE lifeline will continuously or repeatedly abrade against sharp, jagged, or abrasive edges.
• If the risk assessment indicates that an edge could damage the horizontal lifeline or leading edge PPE lifelines then eliminate such contact or protect the edges using a pad or other means before the start of work.

Inspection / Removing Product from Service

• Examine all components of connecting subsystems used with the MSA Cable THLL according to the manufacturer instructions.
• Perform inspections more frequently in corrosive or extreme weather environments.
• The MSA Cable THLL shall not be altered or added to. No unauthorized repairs, modifications, alterations and/or additions are permitted.
• If the MSA Cable THLL is damaged or has been subjected to fall arrest forces or impact forces, it must be immediately removed from service and tagged “UNUSABLE” until it has been destroyed and disposed of in accordance with local regulations.
• Should any doubt arise about its condition for safe use the MSA Cable THLL shall be withdrawn from use immediately and not used again until confirmed in writing by a competent person that it is acceptable to do so.
• Vertical force applied to the lifeline may be indicated by elongation of the energy absorber. In more extreme cases, the white sections of tear webbing will become visible from the hook end of the energy absorber case. It is difficult to determine how much energy absorption remains in a partially deployed unit. Immediately remove the THLL from service and mark it as “UNUSABLE” until it has been destroyed and disposed of in accordance with local regulations.

Failure to follow these warnings can result in serious personal injury or death.