A significant addition to the range of fall-protection equipment supplied by MSA Africa is the world’s first completely field-serviceable standard Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) or fall arrestor from MSA Latchways.

The MSA Latchways SRL range offers a dependable means of fall protection, comments Nicolas Abry, Business Development Manager, Fall Protection, MEAIR, MSA Middle East FZE. It has been designed specifically for use in a number of different environments, providing an unhindered, hands-free fall-protection solution.

Utilising modern engineering and innovative design, MSA Latchways produces the most advanced, reliable, and cost-effective SRL lines available on the market today, backed up by extensive and independently-verified testing to ensure consistent and reliable performance. This means full compliance with international standards such as BS EN 360:2002, ANSI Z359.14-2012, and ISO 9001.

Wherever a MSA Latchways SRL is in service, full inspection can be undertaken quickly and easily, allowing for complete field serviceability, a first for this particular product. A modular design means that key components can be replaced quickly and easily.

This innovation means that these parts can now be changed in a matter of minutes on-site, rather than having the entire unit returned for servicing, which increases downtime and associated costs. The components that can be replaced are the cable assembly, energy absorber, labels, and cases.

MSA Latchways’ patented ‘Constant Force’ braking mechanism is essentially a ‘smart’ engineered coil of stainless steel. It has no moving parts, and therefore does not require adjustment or recalibration over the life of the product. In the event of a fall from height, the coil simply unwinds, generating the metal deformation necessary to absorb the energy generated in any fall.

Traditionally, SRLs rely on friction braking to absorb the energy generated following a fall from height. Friction braking materials are typically two materials pressed together at a pre-set tension, with the resisted movement of these surfaces against each other absorbing the energy.

However, in order to function effectively, the tension between the two surfaces needs to be pre-set and, in turn, checked regularly, as the tension can deplete over time, which could affect the performance. This re-tensioning is a complex procedure that requires specific tools and attention from a dedicated service centre.

MSA Latchways SRLs also feature a patented locking mechanism whereby the pawls are in constant contact with a central tooth disc. In the event of any fall from height, the full-contact pawl locking mechanism provides a more reliable means of fall arrest.

Traditional, SRLs also utilise pawls to centrifugally lock into a tooth disc or toothed casing. However, the pawls only engage upon lock testing, or in the event of a fall from height. Correct functioning of the pawl mechanism in a traditional unit cannot be felt when in use. MSA Latchways SRLs, on the other hand, enable the user to hear and feel the pawls functioning correctly as the lifeline extends and retracts.

The introduction of the latest MSA Latchways SRL range into the local market continues with MSA Africa’s mission to represent the most innovative fall-arrest technology available internationally, to ensure that its customers remain up-to-date with all new developments in order to guarantee the health and safety of their workforce.