Guardrail versus Cable-Based Lifelines

Many companies have elevated working grounds and because of it, fall hazards are very common. Safety of your workers is always a top priority of a safety manager. Fall protection is essential to provide workers with a safe workplace. OSHA also made it necessary for employers to provide workplaces free from hazards. There are several safety options for employers to choose from. Two of the best options are guardrails and cable-based lifelines. This article will help you decide which option is more suitable for you.

Guardrail Systems

Guardrail products are a great, low-maintenance option for employers looking forward to making their workplace free from fall hazards. Guardrail systems are laid out across the borders of a rooftop to prevent a fall from ever happening. They are not only restricted to roof-tops; they can also be installed on any elevated surface.

Guardrail products are best to use when the surface is flat and has no more than a slope of 18 degrees. They are best to use in lower heights. If there are a lot of workers visiting the rooftop and they are visiting it often, the employer must install guardrail systems to ensure fall protection.

Some of the advantages guardrail systems have over cable-based lifelines are:

No additional equipment such as harnesses, cables, or pulleys is required.
No specialized training is required for using the equipment.
Inspection costs are much lower.
No need to waste time checking your harness or cable before getting to work.
No rescue plan is required in case of emergencies.

Cable-Based Lifelines

Cable-based lifelines protect the workers by restraining them with the help of a cable and harness. Cable-based lifelines are not easy to use and the workers should be trained to assemble, put on and use the system. There’s also a possibility of wear and tear so the system should have regular maintenance checks to ensure it is working in perfect conditions.

Cable-based lifelines are installed where guardrail systems don’t provide adequate safety. They are best to use in higher slope areas, larger perimeters, and where only a few employees are involved.

The advantages cable-based lifelines have on safety guardrail systems are as follows,

They may prove cost-effective as guardrails systems have higher upfront costs.
They are much safer to work within higher-risk situations.
They may prove useful when accessing some difficult parts.

Which safety fall product is right for you?

Companies may evaluate the best safety fall product based on their personal choice. Some companies evaluate their choice based on pricing while some companies make solutions based on what’s easy to use. Choosing between the two is difficult if you are ignorant of your requirements. Assessing what’s best for your situation and then making a decision is the right choice. Make your decisions considering the following factors, budget, risk tolerance, and the physical attributes of the system.