What material should ropes, straps, and webbing in PFAS lanyards be made from?

Ropes, straps, and webbing in Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) lanyards are required to be made from synthetic fibers. This is because synthetic materials, such as polyester or nylon, provide the necessary strength, durability, and resistance to factors like weather, UV rays, and abrasions that are critical in fall protection scenarios.

Synthetic fibers are less likely to degrade over time compared to natural fibers, ensuring that the equipment maintains its integrity when subjected to the stresses of a fall or adverse environmental conditions. Additionally, synthetic materials can be engineered to have specific properties, such as minimal stretch, which enhances the overall effectiveness of the fall protection system.

Natural fibers and cotton don’t provide the same level of performance, as they tend to absorb water, lose strength when wet, and can degrade from exposure to sunlight. Metal components can be part of lanyards for connectors and other hardware, but they are not suitable for the main body of ropes or straps where flexibility and lightweight features are needed. Therefore, synthetic fibers are the preferred material for ensuring safety and reliability in fall protection systems.