title: Effects of weld damage on the dynamics of energy-absorbing lanyards.
abstract: Manufacturers recommend removing fall protection system components from service for any indication of weld spatter or tool damage; however, little is known about the specific effects of lanyard damage on fall arrest dynamics. Thirty-two energy-absorbing lanyards were drop tested after being damaged with weld spatter, plasma torches and cutting tools and compared with new, undamaged lanyards. Two lanyards damaged with a plasma torch failed completely without deploying the energy absorber while weld spatter damage and tool cuts, up to two-thirds through the width of the webbing, had no effect on fall arrest dynamics. The results highlight the catastrophic implications of high-temperature damage to lanyard webbing resulting from plasma torches - which require immediate removal from service. In addition, the integrated energy absorber design in bungee-style lanyards makes them more susceptible to damage anywhere along the length. We therefore recommended against bungee lanyards for ironworkers and welders.
authors.affiliation: a School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University , Canada.
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Katona
authors.affiliation: a School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University , Canada.
authors.forename: Charlie R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: b School of Construction and the Environment, British Columbia Institute of Technology , Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McKoryk
authors.affiliation: c JADE Plus , Canada.
authors.forename: Andre L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Brisson
authors.affiliation: a School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering, Simon Fraser University , Canada.|d International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) , Canada.
authors.forename: Carolyn J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Sparrey
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control; D004869:Equipment Safety; D008422:Materials Testing; D011482:Protective Devices; D014896:Welding
keywords: compliance; equipment; fall protection; replacement; weld damage