A fall-arrest system is only as strong as its weakest link: a rated anchor, a full-body harness, a lanyard or self-retracting lifeline to join them, locking connectors, and a plan to get the worker down if they fall. In Australia that equipment is covered by the AS/NZS 1891 series. This page covers everything after the harness — lanyards, retractables, anchors, connectors, rescue and confined-space gear — from 3M DBI-SALA, MSA, Skylotec and Maxisafe. For harnesses and roof kits, see our roofing harness guide.
What makes up a fall-arrest system?
Every system has five parts, and each one has to suit the others:
- Anchorage — a structural point or anchor device rated for fall arrest. AS/NZS 1891.4 sets 15 kN for a single-person fall-arrest anchor unless it has been engineered otherwise.
- Body support — a full-body harness. Belts are for restraint and positioning only, never for arresting a fall.
- Connecting device — a shock-absorbing lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline (SRL).
- Connectors — self-closing, self-locking karabiners and snap hooks.
- Rescue — equipment and a trained person to reach a suspended worker quickly. Safe Work Australia’s Code of Practice on managing the risk of falls requires emergency and rescue procedures wherever fall arrest is used.
Full-body harnesses
Pick the harness for the task: a basic construction harness for occasional roof work, padding and quick-connect buckles for all-day wear, side D-rings for work positioning, or a confined-space harness with shoulder lifting points.
- 3M™ Protecta® P50 Blue and Yellow Construction Harness 1390062A (Each) — the entry-level Protecta FIRST harness for construction.
- 3M™ Protecta® P200 All Purpose Harness with Padding, Red and Black (Each) — quick-connect buckles, comfort padding, confined-space loops and suspension relief straps.
- 3M™ DBI-SALA® Delta™ Yellow All Purpose Harness 823-0018 (Each) — front and rear D-rings, waist belt with side D-rings, REPEL™ webbing.
- Skylotec Ignite ION Safety Harness G-AUS-1135 — simplified chest and leg adjustment in three sizes, rear and sternal attachment points.
Shock-absorbing lanyards
A lanyard with an energy absorber limits the force on the body when a fall is arrested, but it needs clearance underneath: the lanyard length plus the deployed absorber plus the worker’s height. Twin-tail (Y) lanyards let you stay connected while moving between anchors.
- 3M™ DBI-SALA® Force2™ Double Tail Shock Absorbing Elasticated Webbing Lanyard Z12202519E — compact Hi-10™ absorber, elasticated webbing, double tail.
- MSA V-SERIES Energy Absorbing Lanyard, Stretch 2.0M — bungee-style legs reduce snag and trip hazards; MSA states arrest forces stay below AS/NZS limits.
- Skylotec SKYSAFE PRO Flex Y Lanyard 1.8M L-AUS-0595-1,8 — rated for users 50–140 kg with an impact force under 6 kN, plus built-in rescue loops.
- Maxisafe - Double Elasticated Lanyard, 140kg rating — twin-leg, 60–140 kg user range, 6 kN maximum arrest force, AS/NZS 1891 compliant per Maxisafe.
Self-retracting lifelines (SRLs)
An SRL pays out and retracts with the worker and locks within a short distance, so it needs far less clearance than a lanyard. That makes it the better choice on scaffolds, mezzanines and anywhere the fall-clearance sum doesn’t work.
- 3M™ DBI-SALA® Nano-Lok™ 1.8m Single Leg ASL with Carabiner Connector 3101340 (Each) — compact personal SRL that clips straight to the harness.
- 3M™ DBI-SALA® 2.7m Nano-Lok™ Tie-Back Personal Self-Retracting Lifeline 3101366 (Each) — 2.7 m with a tie-back hook that wraps around a beam or structure.
- MSA V-TEC Self Retracting Lanyard, Galvanised Steel Cable — galvanised steel cable, field-serviceable, retraction dampening.
- Skylotec PEANUT I 2.5m Retractable Lanyard HSG-AUS-021-2.5-8 — ultra-compact, 2.5 m for scaffolding, 50–135 kg (EN 360).
- Maxisafe - Self Retractable 2M Lanyard and the Twin Retractable Lanyard Kit for 100% tie-off — AS/NZS 1891 compliant per Maxisafe.
- Maxisafe - Heavy Duty Mini Block Retractable 2m Lanyard — Maxisafe’s heavy-duty block for anchors within 2.5 m of an exposed edge.
Anchors and connectors
- Skylotec Loop 35 KN Anchor Sling L-0010-GE — 35 kN mobile anchor sling for wrapping a suitable beam or structure.
- 3M™ DBI-SALA® Saflok™ Yellow Tie-Off Adaptor E849 — tie-off anchor strap.
- 3M™ DBI-SALA® Large Sliding Beam Anchor 2104716 — clamps to a steel beam and slides with the worker.
- Skylotec Lifeline - Temporary Horizontal Lifeline L-0329 — portable horizontal line securing two people over up to 20 m on steel, scaffold or concrete structures.
- 3M™ DBI-SALA® Saflok™ Carabiner 2000300 (Each) (51 mm gate, triple-action) and Skylotec Oval Steel TRI 30 kN H-051 — steel locking karabiners.
Rescue and confined space
A worker left hanging in a harness can develop suspension trauma within minutes, so rescue gear belongs on site before work starts — not after a fall.
- Skylotec Rescue Kit Milan 2.0 Power SET-357 — evacuation and rescue kit for work at height or confined spaces.
- Skylotec TRIBOC - Tripod. Adjustable To 2.3MT AP-004 with the TRIBOC Wind 15 m winch — tripod for securing and recovering people at manholes and tanks.
- Skylotec Jackpod Davit set JP-100 — portable davit arm for confined-space entry.
- 3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit NEX™ Grey Confined Space Harness 623-2018 — front, rear and side D-rings with a padded lower back.
Dropped-object prevention
Tools dropped from height injure people below. Tether them: the Skylotec Long Leash Flex holds tools up to 4.5 kg and the Phone Cable Short secures phones and small tools.
Before you go up: quick checklist
- Construction work with a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres is high-risk construction work under the WHS Regulations and needs a safe work method statement (SWMS).
- Inspect harnesses, lanyards and SRLs before every use, and have a competent person inspect them at intervals of no more than six months.
- Take any equipment that has arrested a fall out of service.
- Check fall clearance before choosing a lanyard over an SRL.
- Have a rescue plan and the gear to carry it out.
See the full fall protection range, or read our construction site PPE guide for the rest of the kit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a lanyard and a self-retracting lifeline?
A shock-absorbing lanyard is a fixed length with an energy absorber, so it needs more clearance below the worker. A self-retracting lifeline (SRL) extends and retracts with the worker and locks quickly, which keeps the fall distance short. Where clearance is limited, an SRL is usually the right choice.
How often does height safety equipment need to be inspected?
Check harnesses, lanyards and SRLs before each use, and have a competent person inspect them at intervals of no more than six months. Any item that has arrested a fall should be removed from service.
Do I need a rescue plan when using fall arrest?
Yes. Safe Work Australia’s Code of Practice for managing the risk of falls requires emergency and rescue procedures wherever fall-arrest systems are used, because suspension in a harness quickly becomes dangerous.
How fast do you dispatch height safety gear?
Harnesses, lanyards and SRLs are dispatched fast from our Sydney warehouse, with delivery Australia-wide or collection from Auburn NSW by arrangement.
Kitting out a crew? Trade pricing and account terms are available — contact us or call 0457 545 175. Free shipping Australia-wide on orders over $200; collection from our Auburn NSW warehouse by arrangement (call first), 7:30am–3:30pm Mon–Fri.