Abstract

In some cases involving large dimension walls where protection against falls from heights poses a problem, the ironworker climbs in the framing structure and must be anchored to it for purposes of positioning and protection against falls. Two important elements must then be taken into consideration: the choice of harness, positioning equipment and fall arrest equipment, and the presence of a sufficiently solid anchor point for the personal fall arrest system to the reinforcing bars. Scientists from the IRSST verified the strength of these anchors. Tests were performed on a reinforcement wall rebuilt at the Centre de formation des métiers de l'acier (steel trades training centre), erected according to good rules of practice, with the reinforcing bars tied to each second bar.

The anchor point to the reinforcing bars of the reinforcement wall seems to be sufficiently strong to arrest a person’s fall. Furthermore, the ironworkers who participated in the tests confirm that they always add additional ties to the anchor points used for attaching the lanyard's snap hook.