Lanyards & Work Positioning

A safety lanyard is a length of rope, webbing, or cable used to connect a worker’s safety harness to a secure anchor point. It forms part of a fall protection system, helping to either prevent a fall or limit its consequences when working at height.

Safety lanyards must comply with relevant European/UK standards to ensure performance and safety, including:

• EN 354 - lanyards used as connecting elements

• EN 358 - work positioning and restraint systems

• EN 355 - energy-absorbing lanyards (for fall arrest)

These standards define testing, strength, and performance requirements to ensure the equipment functions safely within a fall protection system.

A safety lanyard is required when working at height where there is a risk of falling and collective protection (e.g. guardrails) is not sufficient. In these situations, it is used as part of a personal fall protection system to:

• Prevent access to fall hazards (restraint)

• Support safe working positions (work positioning)

• Provide fall arrest protection where necessary

Use should always be based on a suitable risk assessment.

A safety lanyard is used by attaching:

1. One end to the harness attachment point

2. The other end to a secure anchor point

It should be adjusted so that:

• In restraint - the user cannot reach a fall hazard

• In work positioning - the line remains under tension to support the user

Safety lanyards must only be used for their intended purpose and, unless fitted with an energy absorber, should not be used for fall arrest.

• A safety lanyard connects the user directly to an anchor point

• A lifeline is typically a fixed horizontal or vertical system that the user connects to

Both are part of a complete fall protection system but serve different roles.

Common types include:

• Restraint lanyards

• Work positioning lanyards

• Adjustable rope lanyards

• Shock-absorbing lanyards

Each type is designed for specific working conditions and risk levels.