Fall Protection PPE and Work at Height: The Complete Guide, by Standard and by Trade

Written by the SASSI technical team · Last updated: June 18, 2026 · Reading time ~15 min

A fall protection PPE is a Category III personal protective equipment—the highest, for fatal risks—designed to stop an operator working at height from falling. In practice, it is never an isolated object but a system: a harness, a connecting device, and an anchor point, designed and certified to work together. This guide explains how this system works, what the standards say, and how to choose the right equipment for your trade—from mason to wind turbine technician.

1. What is a fall arrest system?

A fall arrest system always consists of three inseparable elements: a fall arrest harness, a connecting device, and an anchor point.

This logic is often summarized by the H-L-A rule: Harness, Lanyard, Anchorage. Each has a precise function, and their combination provides protection – an excellent harness connected to a dubious anchorage is useless.

• The fall arrest harness is the only approved interface between the body and the system. Only a complete harness, with shoulder straps and leg loops, is recognized as fall protection equipment. It distributes the arrest force over the body areas capable of withstanding it and keeps the operator upright after the fall.
• The connecting device (lanyard, energy absorber, self-retracting fall arrester, mobile fall arrester, etc.) connects the harness to the anchorage, limits movement, holds the operator in case of a fall and—crucially—cushions the impact so that it remains below 6 kN on the body.
• The anchor point is the point to which the operator is connected. The standard requires it to withstand more than 10 kN for at least 3 minutes. It can be fixed (ring, pin, anchorage sling) or mobile (vertical or horizontal lifeline), but it must always be attached to a support whose resistance is also guaranteed.

Why 6 kN? Because beyond this arrest force, the stresses on the spine and organs become traumatic. The entire work of manufacturers—SASSI, Petzl, Tractel, Honeywell Miller, Kratos, or Néofeu—is to ensure that no link in the chain exceeds this threshold.

2. The regulatory framework: what does the law say?

Fall protection PPE is governed by European Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and specified in EN standards for each component.

Regulation (EU) 2016/425, which came into force on April 21, 2018, governs the design, manufacture, and placing on the market of PPE. Fall protection equipment falls under Category III (risks that may cause fatal or irreversible consequences): it must bear the CE marking followed by the number of the notified body, undergo an EU type examination, and production monitoring. The regulation extends responsibility to the entire supply chain: manufacturer, importer, distributor.

For employers, the Labour Code prioritizes collective protection (guardrails, nets) over individual protection, the provision of compliant PPE, and training in the wearing and use of the equipment (Article R.4323-91 et seq.). A harness provided without training does not fulfill the safety obligation.

EN Standards to know

3. The fall arrest harness (EN 361)

The EN 361 compliant fall arrest harness is the only approved equipment for connecting the body to a fall arrest system. A good harness combines comfort, functionality, and strength.

There are three main families: the simple fall arrest harness, the harness with work positioning belt (combining EN 361 and EN 358), and the harness with leg loops for work positioning and suspension (integrating EN 813). The choice depends on the trade and working posture.

Attachment points: 1, 2, 4 or 5 points

The number and position of attachment points determine the possible uses of the harness:

• 1 point (dorsal): simple fall arrest. The dorsal point keeps the operator upright after the fall. This is the basic configuration—for example, REF. 453N or REF. 415 bis.
• 2 points (dorsal + sternal): the sternal point (chest) facilitates the connection of a mobile fall arrester or lanyard and offers a more comfortable working position. This is the most versatile standard—the REF. 450 RCE is a bestseller, with foam reinforcements on the shoulders, thighs, and back.
• 4 points (dorsal, sternal + 2 lateral): the two lateral D-rings, combined with a belt, add work positioning—working leaning back, hands free, supported by the work positioning lanyard.
• 5 points (+ ventral): the ventral point allows for suspension work (tree pruning, acrobatic work) with better comfort in a seated position—like the REF. 477, dedicated to work on poles, wind turbines, and rope access technicians.

Properly adjusting your harness

A poorly adjusted harness is a harness that causes injury. Thigh straps should allow a flat hand to pass through, without being loose; the dorsal plate should be between the shoulder blades; shoulder straps should neither compress nor slip. Models with automatic buckles (RAPCO type) speed up adjustment without sacrificing safety. For prolonged use, foam reinforcements and accessories such as the REF. 96 positioning vest or the REF. 97 shoulder reinforcement truly improve comfort at the end of the day. Note: SASSI harnesses are approved for up to 150 kg (user + tools), a point to systematically check when the operator is carrying a load.

4. Lanyards and energy absorbers (EN 354 / EN 355)

The lanyard connects the harness to the anchorage; the energy absorber limits the shock force below 6 kN in case of a fall. For any fall risk, lanyard and absorber go together.

A lanyard alone (EN 354) is used for positioning or restraint, but should never be used alone as a fall arrester if there is a fall height: without an absorber, abrupt arrest transmits a destructive force to the body. It is the energy absorber (EN 355), whose webbing tears in a controlled manner, that extends deceleration and caps the impact at 6 kN.

Single lanyard or double lanyard?

This is the most frequent question in the field. With a single lanyard, you have to unclip to change anchor points—thus exposing yourself during the maneuver. With a double lanyard (Y-shaped, or "fork lanyard"), you attach the second leg before releasing the first: protection is never interrupted. For any movement at height (framework, metal structure, pylon), the double lanyard with absorber is the reference—for example, the REF. 157 fork lanyard, with two legs equipped with large opening carabiners.

Clearance distance: the calculation that saves lives

The clearance distance is the free height required below the feet so that, in the event of a fall, the operator does not hit the ground or an obstacle. For a lanyard with an absorber, a minimum of 6 meters is considered, which breaks down as follows:

If the available height below the operator is less than this clearance distance, the lanyard + absorber is contraindicated: switch to a self-retracting fall arrester (EN 360) or a guided type fall arrester (EN 353), which significantly reduce the fall distance.

The fall factor

The fall factor measures the severity of a fall: it is the ratio between the fall height and the length of the lanyard.

• Factor 0: anchorage above the head, lanyard taut — almost no fall. Ideal situation.
• Factor 1: anchorage at harness level — moderate fall.
• Factor 2: anchorage at the feet (worst case) — maximum fall, extreme stresses.

The golden rule: anchor as high as possible, ideally above the attachment point. The higher the anchorage, the lower the fall factor — and thus the necessary clearance distance.

5. Self-retracting fall arresters: retractable type fall arresters (EN 360)

A self-retracting fall arrester (retractable type fall arrester) follows the operator's movements and locks instantly in case of a fall, significantly reducing the arrest distance.

The retractable type fall arrester automatically unwinds and rewinds its webbing or cable as the operator moves, like an automobile seatbelt. In case of a fall, the mechanism locks in a fraction of a second. This is the ideal solution when the clearance distance is limited or when freedom of movement is desired without managing excess lanyard slack. The SASSI range covers steel cable retractable type fall arresters from 10 to 40 m (REF. 385/10 to 385/40), a compact 6 m webbing model (REF. 377), and a Dyneema webbing retractable type fall arrester with a shock absorber tested on sharp edges (REF. 378)—an essential criterion on metal frameworks or slab edges, where the webbing can rub against a sharp edge in case of a fall.

6. Guided type fall arresters (EN 353-1 and EN 353-2)

A guided type fall arrester slides along a support line (rope or cable) and accompanies the operator both ascending and descending, locking in case of a fall.

This equipment is used for vertical access: rope ascents, cage ladders, progression on pitched roofs. The fall arrester follows the operator without manual intervention and locks instantly onto the support in case of a fall. We distinguish between EN 353-1 (rigid anchorage line: rail or tensioned cable, like the REF. 366 bis on steel cable) and EN 353-2 (flexible anchorage line: rope, like the REF. 365, 366/10 and 367). Each guided type fall arrester is designed for a specific rope diameter (12 or 15 mm): using a rope that does not comply with the device nullifies safety.

7. Connectors: karabiners and links (EN 362)

The connector (karabiner) is the link that connects the components to each other. Compliant with EN 362, it must lock automatically or manually and withstand loads of approximately 22 to 25 kN.

The karabiner is chosen according to its use: screw locking for a fixed point rarely manipulated (the steel REF. 40, 22 kN, is a bestseller), automatic double or triple action locking for frequent manipulations (the REF. 40T with rotating triple safety sleeve), large opening for attaching to tubular structures (the REF. 39, 60 mm opening), or swivel karabiner to prevent lanyard twisting (the REF. 38, 25 kN). Two non-negotiable principles: a connector always works along its major axis (never in flexion on the gate) and its locking system must be closed and engaged before any loading.

8. Anchor points and lifelines (EN 795)

The anchor device is the fixed or mobile point to which the operator connects. EN 795 classifies it into five types (A to E) according to its nature.

For a simple and universal temporary anchor, the strap anchor sling (REF. 35, 0.60 to 1.50 m, EN 795) is placed around a sturdy structure. To secure a pathway, the horizontal lifeline allows one or more operators to remain connected along its entire length: SASSI offers temporary strap lifelines (REF. 352, adjustable from 5 to 20 m, EN 795 B, installed in minutes) as well as permanent stainless steel cable lifelines, designed and quoted based on plans for crane runways, roofs, tanks or ovens. Essential reminder: each anchor point of a lifeline must withstand a minimum of 10 kN, as must the supporting structure.

9. Helmet and accessories

At height, the helmet is not a minor detail. A classic construction helmet (EN 397) protects against falling objects; for work at height and rescue, a helmet with a reinforced chinstrap (EN 12492) is preferred, as it stays in place during a fall or overturning. SASSI offers a helmet with a 4-point chinstrap (REF. 100bis) and a version with integrated glasses (REF. 100ter). In addition, there are accessories that save time and increase safety: elastic tool holders with carabiners, dedicated transport bags and cases, glove pouches — the complete ecosystem for operators working at height.

10. Rescue and confined space work

At height and in confined spaces, stopping a fall is not enough: the victim must be evacuated quickly. Rescue is an integral part of the system.

After a fall, an operator suspended in their harness is exposed to harness syndrome (or suspension trauma): immobility in suspension slows venous return and can cause loss of consciousness in a few minutes. Hence the importance of a rescue plan and appropriate equipment before ascending.

For confined spaces (manholes, tanks, silos, collectors, pumping stations), the dangers accumulate: risk of falling, oxygen-depleted atmosphere, toxic gases, slippery walls. The standard equipment combines a harness with dorsal and sternal attachment points, a lifting tripod for manhole entrances (REF. 395: aluminum, adjustable 1.15–2.15 m, up to 500 kg), a rescue winch (EN 1496), and a self-retracting fall arrester with recovery function. The objective: to ensure descent, ascent, and rescue without a second rescuer descending — because in confined spaces, an improvised rescue too often turns one victim into two.

11. Choosing PPE for fall protection by trade

Each trade has its own specific risks, and therefore its own equipment. Here are typical configurations, grouped by SASSI into approved, ready-to-use trade kits.