Safety in deep shafts - the new fall arrester generation S5b, CE0158
Safety must have top priority when descending or ascending in shafts. The customer’s climbing system must meet the applicable standards to guarantee the maximum safety for the user. Our laws therefore prescribe that personal protective equipment must be used when climbing into deep structures or for the access to mechanical plants with a fall height of 3 m or bigger (for wastewater) or 5 m or bigger (for drinking water). Operators have to equip such danger areas with devices that protect personnel against falls from a height.
German DIN EN 353-1 on “Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Part 1: Guided type fall arresters including a rigid anchor line, 2002” specifies all necessary testing methods and requirements for protective equipment against falls from a height. For many years already we have offered a well-proven system in compliance with DIN EN 353-1. Our system consists of a guard rail, fall arrester and safety traveller with integrated safety belt.
Due to new regulations in the test procedure, initiated by Great Britain, we had to modify our SiS systems including the S5a fall arrester. The result of this labour intensive modification process is a completely new generation of fall arrester sold as type S5b. The required EC type examination was successfully passed at DEKRA Exam, Bochum, CE 0158.
>> view certificate of CE type examination
The new S5b fall arrester differs optically from the previous model but especially its function makes the difference. All edges are rounded and the base body is blue anodised to comply with our corporate colour. We have reduced the length of the safety traveller with integrated safety belt, which is intended to absorb the forces acting if someone falls down. The distance between the guard rail and descending person is shorter now. Now as before, the connection between the fall arrester and the user’s safety belt is ensured by means of a self-locking spring hook.But the main difference between the two models and most significant benefit for the user is how they work. Previously, a horizontal pull was ne 2000 cessary to unlock the hook before one could use the climbing system well protected. This procedure, however, is sometimes a problem where the space between the guard rail and safety belt is limited.
The new S5b generation, available since February 2011, does not need the horizontal tension for unlocking. After its modification the new fall arrestor is a ‘free run’ system operating on the basis of its own weight and the modified hook. Persons can use the climbing system without having to pay attention to the fall arrester even where the space is limited. This is an unbeatable advantage where the shaft or manhole structure is very narrow or problematic.
But the decisive factor for the users and operators is that the new S5b model is compatible with all previous climbing systems, such as our safety access ladders with guard rail, safety climbing devices and guard rails for pole step corridors.
To sum up, the new S5b fall arrester offers the user increased safety and health combined with improved functionality.
Contact:
HUBER SE
Industriepark Erasbach A1
92334 Berching
Mrs. Elisabeth Ketzler
Tel.: +49 8462 201 – 310
Email: ekhuberde
