Citation

Galy B, Lan A. Int. J. Occup. Safety Ergonomics 2018; 24(1): 135-148.

Affiliation

Institut de Recherche Robert-Sauvé en Santé et Sécurité du Travail (IRSST) , Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10803548.2017.1300444

PMID

28278004

Abstract

Among the many occupational risks construction workers encounter every day, fall from height is the most dangerous. The objective of this paper is to propose a simple analytical design method for horizontal lifelines (HLL) that considers anchorage flexibility. This paper presents a short review of the standards and regulations/acts/codes concerning HLLs in Canada, the USA and Europe. A static analytical approach is proposed, considering anchorage flexibility. The analytical results are compared to a series of 42 dynamic fall tests and a SAP2000 numerical model. The experimental results show that the analytical method is a bit conservative and overestimates the line tension in most cases, with a maximum of 17%. The static SAP2000 results show a maximum 2.1% difference with the analytical method. The analytical method is accurate enough to safely design HLLs and quick design abaci are provided to allow the engineer to make quick on-site verification if needed.

Language: en

Keywords

SAP2000; anchorage flexibility; deflection; design method; fall tests; horizontal lifeline; wire rope