Travel Restraint Systems

  • Travel restraint systems involve the use of equipment assembled in such a manner that an authorized person cannot fall to a different level. 
  • Must be designed by a qualified person (registered professional engineer) in accordance with state building codes, OSHA 1926 Subpart M Fall Protection, 1910 Subpart D Walking Working Surfaces, and ANSI Z359 Fall Protection Code.
  • Travel restraint systems are permitted only on a low-slope work surface with a slope between zero and 18.4 degrees (4:12 pitch or less) 
  • All equipment components (full body harness, lanyards, connectors, lifelines, etc.) shall comply with 29CFR1910.140.
  • Body belts shall not be used for travel restraint at NC State.
  • Self-retracting devices or lanyards shall not be used for travel restraint if the maximum length permits the user to move beyond the edge of the fall hazard.
  • Users of travel restraint systems shall not work alone. Working at elevation where travel restraint is required is considered hazardous work under NC State’s Working Alone Requirements.
  • Must be designed so that 100% protection is available from the point of surface access to all areas of the surface that must be accessed
  • Must be designed with lanyard or connecting device length specification that ensures the user cannot reach a fall hazard  
  • Travel restraint systems shall be capable of sustaining static loads applied in the directions permitted by the system of at least 5,000 pounds (22kN) for non-certified anchorages, or two times the foreseeable force for certified anchorages. 
  • Horizontal lifelines used for travel restraint shall have a deflection or sag of 30 degrees or less.
  • Vertical lifelines used for travel restraint shall extend at least 12 feet beyond the furthest rope grab securement point.
  • Extreme care should be taken in considering a horizontal lifeline for multiple tie-offs. If there are multiple tie-offs to a horizontal lifeline, and one employee falls, the movement of the falling employee and the horizontal lifeline during arrest of the fall may cause other employees to fall.
  • When more than one travel restraint system is attached to an anchorage, the anchorage shall be capable of sustaining the aforementioned loads multiplied by the number of systems attached to the anchorage. (Z359.2 5.4.4)  IMPORTANT NOTE: anchorages designed specifically for travel restraint shall not be used for Personal Fall Arrest.
  • Travel restraint anchorages shall be used exclusively for travel restraint systems and shall be marked to prevent other uses.
  • The designer must specify inspection and recertification requirements.