Safety Regulations

WARNING! 

User Requirements

• Users of Self Retracting Lifelines (SRLs) shall be medically fit and suitably trained.
• SRLs shall not be used by pregnant women, minors or those under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• For single user only, within manufacturer's specified weight range, including user, clothing, and tools.

• It is essential for user safety that equipment is withdrawn from use immediately if any doubt arise about its condition for safe use. If the equipment has been used to arrest a fall, do not use again until confirmed in writing by a competent person that it is acceptable to do so.

Anchor Requirements / Swing Fall / Fall Clearance

• The anchorage must be capable of supporting the required load. See Section Product Specifications, and Product Specifications for details on anchorage strength.
• Ensure that the available fall clearance is equal to or greater than the fall clearance required in Section V-TEC, V-TEC Synthetic, and V-TEC EDGE SRLs Fall Clearance Charts.
• Remove any surface contamination such as, but not limited to concrete, stucco, roofing material, etc. that could accelerate cutting or abrading of components.
• For use in accordance with acceptable locations as shown in Section Fall Clearance Charts, and Fall Clearance Charts. The user shall consider any risks posed by swing falls.
• Swing falls can increase fall distance. In overhead applications, work directly under the anchorage. In horizontal (leading edge) applications, minimize the horizontal offset. Increasing the horizontal offset will increase the amount of swing fall. Always remove obstructions 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. For horizontal applications DO NOT use the device unless a qualified person has inspected the workplace and determined that the identified swing fall hazards have been eliminated or exposures to them prevented.

Product Use

• SRLs 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 was designed. DO NOT use fall protection equipment for towing, hoisting, or material handling.
• SRLs shall not be altered or added to. No unauthorized repairs, modifications, alterations and/or additions are permitted. Only MSA or persons or entities with written authorization from the manufacturer may make repairs to the SRL.
• 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.
• DO NOT rely on feel or sound to verify proper connector engagement. Ensure the connector is closed before use.
• Additional lanyard connectors shall not be added, as this would serve to lengthen the lifeline and increase free fall.
• Anchors shall only be connected to the swivel at the top of the housing. DO NOT connect an anchor to the carrying handle on the housing.
• Unsuitable for use on unstable surfaces, fine grain materials or particulate surfaces such as sand or coal, as insufficient speed may prevent lock-on in the event of a fall (possible engulfment hazard).
• DO NOT use where line may be exposed to sharp, jagged or abrasive edges. For leading edge guidance, see Section Leading Edge Installation and Use.
• SRLs shall not come into contact with hot surfaces (such as hot pipes), become entangled with moving machinery, or come into contact with electrical hazards (such as high voltage power lines).
• SRLs shall be protected from fire, acids, caustic solutions, or temperatures outside the range -40°F to 130°F (-40°C to 54°C).
• DO NOT leave the SRL installed in environments which could cause damage or deterioration to the product. Refer to the care details in Section Cleaning and Storage and inspection details in Section Pre-Use Checks and Periodic Examinations.
• Instructions shall be retained and provided to all users of SRLs in the language of the destination country, even when resold.
• DO NOT exceed the maximum fall arrest forces as specified by governing standards or subsystem components.
• Use of combinations of components or subsystems, or both, may affect or interfere with the safe function of the components or subsystems. Use only compatible components or subsystems; never add additional length to the system.

Leading Edge-Specific Product Use

• The V-TEC EDGE SRLs anchorage point shall be at the user's foot level or above.

• 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.
• Product label indicates whether or not a product is capable of being used in leading edge applications.
• Avoid working where the lifeline will continuously or repeatedly abrade against sharp, jagged, or abrasive edges.
• Do not work on the far side of an opening opposite the anchorage point or around corners.
• Leading edge configurations shall only be used in accordance with local regulations.
• In leading edge applications with 0 ft (0 m) setback, ensure that setup does not allow housing unit or top connector to contact leading edge in the event of a fall.
• Fall arrester may be used with a type C anchor device in accordance with EN 795:2012 with a horizontal flexible anchor line. Furthermore, the deflection of the anchor device shall be taken into account when determining the clearance required below the feet of the user. To that effect, the indications specified in the instructions for use of the anchor device shall be considered.

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