Fall Protection Friday: Tie-Back & Pass-Through Anchors

This Weeks Toolbox Talk Attached Below!

Welcome back, let's Build Smart & Build Safe! We’ve covered permanent and temporary anchors. Today, on Fall Protection Friday, we address specialized temporary connections and a common, deadly error: the "Wrap-Around" Mistake.

These specialized anchors offer flexibility, but they demand absolute adherence to manufacturer instructions.

1. Specialized Temporary Anchors

These devices are rated for 5,000 lbs. and provide simple, non-destructive connection methods:

• Tie-Back Straps: These are heavy-duty, certified web or cable slings used to wrap around a suitable structural element (like a clean, smooth beam) and connect back to themselves. Your lanyard then connects to the dedicated D-ring on the strap. Crucial Safety Note: Always ensure the strap is wrapped smoothly and securely.

• Pass-Through Anchors: These engineered systems utilize a webbing strap that allows the lifeline or lanyard to pass through a dedicated ring or loop. This minimizes the need to continuously disconnect and reconnect, allowing for continuous, 100% tie-off as the worker moves along a structural member.

2. The Deadly "Wrap-Around" Mistake

The most dangerous error involving temporary anchorage is trying to create a tie-back connection using a standard lanyard (especially one with a shock absorber).

• The Error: A worker wraps their standard lanyard around a beam and clips the snap hook back onto the lanyard itself (the webbing).

• The Danger: Standard lanyards are designed for linear, straight-pull force. When wrapped around a beam, the friction and sharp edge can severely damage the webbing during a fall. The snap hook, designed for a direct load, can be loaded in an unsafe direction (known as "gate loading"), causing it to fail or break, resulting in a free fall.

The Rule: If you are wrapping around a structural member, you must use a certified tie-back anchor strap or a specialized tie-back lanyard designed to handle the friction and load distribution. Never improvise with standard equipment.

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-The Safety Man