Fall Protection Glossary: 41 Terms Explained

This glossary explains 41 common fall protection terms in plain English, from anchorage to working load limit. Use it when reading specifications, standards and supplier proposals. Terms link to TsaF guides where you can read more.

Compiled by: Yatin Chaudhary, TsaF. Last updated: 29 October 2026.

Jump to: A · B · C · D · E · F · H · I · L · O · P · R · S · T · V · W

A

Active fall protection

Protection that only works when the worker uses it correctly, such as a harness connected to an anchor or lifeline. Compare with passive fall protection.

Anchorage

A secure point or structure that a worker’s fall protection system connects to. It must hold the forces of a fall. EN 795 classifies anchor devices into types A to E; see EN 795 explained.

Anchor line

A flexible (rope or cable) or rigid (rail) line between anchors that a worker connects to. Another name for a lifeline.

Arrest force

The peak force on a worker’s body when a fall is stopped. Energy absorbers limit it, typically to 6 kN for personal equipment.

B

Body harness (full body harness)

Straps worn around the shoulders, chest, waist and thighs that spread arrest forces across the body. The only body support acceptable for fall arrest.

BIS

Bureau of Indian Standards, the national standards body that publishes the IS 3521 series for fall protection equipment. See IS 3521 Part 8 explained.

C

Competent person

Someone with the training and experience to inspect fall protection equipment, spot hazards and take corrective action.

Connector

A device that links parts of a system, such as a karabiner or snap hook. It must lock to prevent accidental opening.

D

Deceleration distance

The distance a worker travels while an energy absorber slows and stops the fall.

D-ring

The metal ring on a harness where a lanyard or fall arrester connects. The rear (dorsal) D-ring is used for fall arrest.

E

Edge protection

A barrier, such as guardrails, along an open roof or floor edge that stops people reaching it. A form of collective, passive protection. See the rooftop barricade system.

EN 353

European standard for guided type fall arresters on an anchor line: Part 1 covers rigid (rail) lines and Part 2 flexible (rope) lines. See EN 353-1 vs EN 353-2.

EN 795

European standard for anchor devices, including Type C horizontal flexible anchor lines.

Energy absorber

A component that tears, deforms or extends during a fall to reduce the arrest force on the worker and the structure.

F

Fall arrest

Stopping a fall that has already started, before the worker hits a lower level.

Fall arrester (guided type)

A device that runs along a vertical or inclined anchor line, follows the climber and locks if they fall. Used on a vertical lifeline.

Fall clearance

The free space needed below a worker so a fall is stopped before they hit anything. It adds free fall, deceleration distance, line deflection, harness stretch, the worker’s height and a safety margin.

Fall restraint

A setup that stops a worker reaching an edge at all, so no fall can happen. Usually a short, fixed-length lanyard on an anchor line.

Fragile roof

A roof, sheet or skylight that will not carry a person’s weight. Falls through fragile surfaces are a common cause of serious injury.

Free fall

The distance a worker falls before the fall protection system starts to act.

H

Horizontal lifeline (HLL)

A cable or rail fixed along a roof or working level so workers stay connected while they move. See the TsaF horizontal life line system.

I

Intermediate bracket

A support along a horizontal lifeline that holds the cable between end anchors. Pass-through brackets let a traveller slide past without unclipping.

IS 3521

Indian Standard series covering personal fall protection equipment, published by BIS.

L

Lanyard

A short line that connects a harness to an anchor or lifeline, often with a built-in energy absorber.

Lifeline

Any anchor line, horizontal, vertical or overhead, that a worker stays connected to while moving. Compare the types in horizontal vs vertical vs overhead lifelines.

O

Overhead lifeline

A lifeline mounted above the work area, used where there is nothing to anchor to at foot level, such as truck tops and aircraft. See the TsaF overhead life line system.

P

Passive fall protection

Protection that works without the worker doing anything, such as guardrails, walkways and skylight covers.

Pendulum (swing) fall

A sideways swing after a fall when the anchor is not directly above the worker. It can cause impact with nearby structures.

Permit to work

A written authorisation for high-risk work such as work at height, recording the hazards, controls and who is approved to do the job.

R

Rescue plan

A written plan to reach and recover a worker after a fall arrest quickly. Suspension in a harness becomes dangerous within minutes. See anchor line rescue planning.

Rigid anchor line

A rail used as a lifeline. It deflects less than a cable and needs less fall clearance.

Roof walkway

A fixed, non-slip path over a roof that keeps people on safe routes and off fragile areas. See the aluminium and FRP walkway system.

S

Self-retracting lifeline (SRL)

A device that pays out and retracts a line as the worker moves and locks quickly during a fall, reducing free fall.

Shuttle (traveller)

The device on a lifeline that a worker connects to and that slides along with them.

Skylight protection

Covers, screens or guardrails that stop people falling through skylights. See the skylight protection system.

Suspension trauma

A dangerous condition caused by hanging still in a harness after a fall. It is the reason rescue must be fast.

T

Tensioner

A component that sets the right tension in a horizontal lifeline cable.

Total fall distance

The full distance from the start of a fall to where the worker stops, used to check fall clearance.

V

Vertical lifeline (VLL)

A rope or rail fixed to a ladder or structure, with a guided fall arrester that keeps a climber attached for the whole climb. See the TsaF vertical life line system.

W

Work at height

Any work where a person could fall a distance that could cause injury, including work on roofs, ladders, towers, vehicles and near openings.

Working load limit

The maximum load a component or system is designed to carry in normal use, stated by the manufacturer.

Need help applying these terms on your site?

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