Height Safety & Fall Protection Equipment

Choosing height safety equipment

Working at height is Australia's leading cause of workplace fatalities. Under WHS regulations and the Safe Work Australia Managing the risk of falls at workplaces code of practice, fall risk must be controlled through the hierarchy — eliminate the need to work at height first, then minimise with passive protection (edge rails, scaffolds), then work restraint, and only as the last resort, fall-arrest. Personal fall-arrest systems (PFAS) consist of three linked components — anchor, connector (lanyard or SRL), and body support (harness) — and all three must be rated and compatible under AS/NZS 1891.

Safety harness kits

Pre-assembled starter packages — typically a full-body harness, shock-absorbing lanyard, and anchor point in a single bag. Right for first-time buyers, one-off jobs, and issuing compliant kit to new crew members without sourcing components separately. Browse harness kits →

Harnesses

Full-body harnesses certified to AS/NZS 1891.1 with dorsal, sternal, and/or side D-rings for different work configurations. Fall-arrest, work-positioning, rope-access, and confined-space variants. Browse harnesses →

Lanyards

Shock-absorbing lanyards (single or twin-tail) for fall-arrest work where free-fall distance is limited. The shock pack tears open under load to limit fall-arrest force to under 6 kN. Browse lanyards →

Lanyards & ropelines

Vertical lifelines, rope grabs, and adjustable ropelines for climbing, work positioning, and rope access. AS/NZS 1891.3 compliant. Browse ropelines →

Retractable lanyards (SRLs)

Self-retracting lifelines — inertia-reel fall-arrest devices that lock on sudden movement. Shorter fall distance than shock-absorbing lanyards, preferred where clearance below the user is limited. Browse SRLs →

Confined space entry

Tripod and davit-arm systems, rescue winches, gas monitoring, and retrieval lanyards for tank, pit, silo, and confined-space entry work. Browse confined-space →

Accessories & fixing plates

Anchor plates, karabiners, screw-link connectors, and structural fixing hardware — the connection points that turn a building or structure into a compliant anchor. Browse accessories →

Webbing slings

Anchor slings and round slings for wrap-around anchorage on columns, beams, and structural members where a fixed anchor plate isn't practical. Rated for fall-arrest use (not lifting — see AS 1353 for lifting slings). Browse webbing slings →

The AS/NZS 1891 system

Australian fall-protection equipment is governed by AS/NZS 1891, a multi-part standard:

• 1891.1 — harnesses and associated equipment (body support).
• 1891.2 — horizontal lifelines and rail systems (anchor line).
• 1891.3 — fall-arrest devices including energy absorbers, rope grabs, and SRLs (connectors).
• 1891.4 — selection, use, and maintenance (the code-of-practice companion).

All components in this range are certified to the relevant part of 1891. Mixing brands is acceptable provided each component meets its applicable standard and the connections are compatible (karabiner gate-opening to D-ring, SRL connector to anchor plate).

Clearance and swing-fall

Two calculations that catch out first-time users:

• Fall clearance — the total distance required below the anchor to stop the user before they contact a lower level. For a 2 m shock-absorbing lanyard this can be 6.5 m+. If clearance is less than this, use an SRL (which limits free fall to typically 0.6 m).
• Swing-fall (pendulum) — if the user is not directly below the anchor and falls, they will swing toward the anchor's vertical axis, risking impact with adjacent structure. Position anchors directly above the work area wherever possible.

Inspection and service life

Under AS/NZS 1891.4, all fall-arrest equipment requires pre-use visual inspection by the user and a six-monthly documented inspection by a competent person. Equipment that has arrested a fall must be withdrawn from service immediately and destroyed (the shock pack is expended; webbing may be compromised). Typical service life is 10 years from date of manufacture — check the sewn-in label.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a harness or is a work-restraint belt enough?

Work-restraint belts are no longer accepted as fall-arrest equipment under AS/NZS 1891.1 — fall-arrest requires a full-body harness that distributes arrest forces across the thighs, shoulders, and chest. Waist-only belts transferred all the force to the lower spine, causing severe injuries even in successful arrests.

Can I rig an anchor to any structural point?

No — fall-arrest anchor points must be rated for 15 kN (single-user) or higher, certified by a structural engineer, or be a purpose-manufactured anchor installed to the manufacturer's specification. Tying to handrails, scaffolding tubes, or random beams is not compliant.

How often should fall-arrest equipment be inspected?

Visual inspection before every use (by the user), and a documented inspection every six months (by a competent person — often the supplier or a specialist height-safety service provider). Any equipment subject to a fall-arrest event is retired immediately.

Do you offer trade or bulk pricing?

Yes — trade accounts receive 5% off RRP, and crew outfitting programs (multiple harnesses, SRLs, and anchor kits) qualify for additional discounts. Height-safety inspection-service bookings are also available through our trade-accounts team. Apply for a trade account →