3M PROTECTA AE521 Manual De Instrucciones página 22

4.0 OPERATION
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First time or infrequent users of Energy Absorbing Lanyards (Lanyards) should review the "Safety Information"
at the beginning of this manual prior to use of the Lanyard.
4.1 WORKER INSPECTION: Before each use, inspect the Energy Absorbing Lanyard per the inspection checklist in the
Inspection and Maintenance Log (Table 2). If inspection reveals an unsafe condition or indicates the Lanyard has been
subjected to any damage or fall forces, the Lanyard must be removed from service and destroyed.
4.2 AFTER A FALL: Any Lanyard which has been subjected to the forces of arresting a fall or exhibits damage consistent
with the effects of fall arrest forces as described in the Installation and Maintenance Log (Table 2) must be removed
from service immediately and destroyed.
4.3 OPERATION: Figure 8 shows system connections for typical Energy Absorbing Lanyard applications. Always connect
the Energy Absorber End of the Lanyard to the Full Body Harness first and then connect the Leg End to suitable
anchorage. Always minimise the amount of slack in the lanyard near a fall hazard by operating as close to anchorage
as possible. See Section 3 for details regarding harness and anchorage connection.
4.4 LANYARD PARKING ATTACHMENT: Figure 12 illustrates Harness Lanyard Parking Attachments. The Lanyard
Parking Attachment is for attaching the free end of a Lanyard Leg when not connected to an Anchorage Connection
Point for purposes of fall protection. Lanyard Parking Attachments must never be used as a Fall Protection Attachment
Element on the Harness for connecting a Lanyard (A).
When not connected to an Anchorage Connection Point, an unconnected Lanyard Leg must be properly parked on the
harness (B) or secured in the user's hand as in 100% Tie-Off applications (C). Free hanging Lanyard Legs (D) can trip
the user or catch on surrounding objects resulting in a fall.
4.5 TWIN LANYARD INTERFACE 100% TIE-OFF: Twin Leg Energy Absorbing Lanyards can be used for continuous
fall protection (100% tie-off) while ascending, descending, or moving laterally (see Figure 13). With one Lanyard Leg
attached to an anchorage point, the worker can move to a new location, attach the unused Lanyard Leg to another
anchorage point, and then disconnect from the original anchorage point. The sequence is repeated until the worker
reaches the desired location. Considerations for Twin Lanyard 100% tie-off applications include the following:
• Never connect both Lanyard Legs to the same anchorage point (see Figure 14A).
• Connecting more than one connector into a single anchorage connection point (ring or eye) can jeopardize
compatibility of the connection due to interaction between connectors and is not recommended.
• Connection of each Lanyard Leg to a separate anchorage point is acceptable (Figure 14B).
• Each connection location must meet the Anchorage Requirements defined in Section Section 2.
• Never connect more than one person at a time to the Twin Leg Lanyard (Figure 14C).
• Do not allow the Lanyard Legs to become tangled or twisted together as this may prevent them from retracting.
• Do not allow Lanyard Legs to pass under arms or between legs during use.
4.6 EDGE TESTED LANYARD: The specified equipment (see Figure 1) is qualified for use over burr free steel edge
with a radius (r) of 0,5 mm (0,02 in). Similar edges can be found on: rolled steel profi les, wooden beams, or clad
or rounded roof parapets. However, the following shall be considered when the equipment is used in a horizontal or
transverse arrangement and a risk of fall from a height over an edge exists:
• If the risk assessment carried out before the start of the work shows that the edge is very "sharp" and/or not
"free of burrs" (such as in the case of an unclad roof parapet, a rusty girder, or a concrete edge): Relevant
measures shall be taken before the start of the work to prevent a fall over the edge; or before the start of work,
an edge protection shall be mounted; or the manufacturer shall be contacted.
• The anchor point may only be situated at the same height as the edge at which a fall might occur or above the
edge.
• The angle of redirection of the lanyard at the edge at which a fall might occur (measured between the two sides
formed by the redirection lanyard) shall be at least 90 degrees.
• To reduce the potential for a fall ending in a pendulum movement, the working area or lateral movement on
either side of the center axis shall be limited to a maximum of 1,50 m (4,92 ft).
4.7 LANYARD FOR HOT WORK: The specified equipment (see Figure 1) with Kevlar webbing is designed for use in high
temperature environments, with limitations: Kevlar webbing begins to char at 425 - 480 °C (800 - 900 °F). Kevlar
webbing can withstand limited contact exposure to temperatures up to 535 °C (1 000 °F). Polyester webbing loses
strength at 145 - 200 °C (300 - 400 °F). PVC coating on hardware has a melting point of approximately 175 °C
(350 °F).
5.0 INSPECTION
5.1 INSPECTION FREQUENCY: The Energy Absorbing Lanyard must be inspected at the intervals defined in Section 2.
Inspection procedures are described in the "Inspection & Maintenance Log" (Table 2).
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Extreme working conditions (harsh environments, prolonged use, etc.) may require increasing the frequency of
inspections.
5.2 UNSAFE OR DEFECTIVE CONDITIONS: If inspection reveals an unsafe or defective condition, remove the
Lanyard from service immediately and destroy to prevent inadvertent use. Lanyards are not repairable.
5.3 PRODUCT LIFE: The functional life of 3M Energy Absorbing Lanyards is determined by work conditions and
maintenance. Maximum lifespan can range from 1 year for heavy use in extreme conditions to 10 years for light use
in mild conditions. As long as the product passes inspection criteria, it may remain in service up to a maximum of 10
years.
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