Railbloc Vertical Fall Arrest

RAILBLOC INTRODUCTION

Masts, gantries, ladders and silos etc often have to be accessed for maintenance purposes. Often ladders depend upon hoops to protect the operatives, however in many instances these can cause severe injuries and in some cases fatalities. Railbloc has been developed in order to overcome these problems and to ensure operative safety and protection from potential falls. The system allows the operative to ascend/descend uninhibited but, if they were to fall whilst attached to the system, the fall would be arrested and the operative would then merely adjust their footing and continue to ascend/descend normally.

back to top

RAILBLOC SPECIFICATION

Railbloc is based on a CE approved track system that is supplied in 1.5m lengths that join together to provide a continuous rail along which a unique friction fall arrester trolley slides. The track can be supplied in aluminium, galvanised or stainless steel and requires clamping at approximately 0.6m centres to the stringer or rungs of the structure. The trolley design enables it to be attached or detached at any point of the system.

back to top

RAILBLOC DESIGN FEATURES

Many of these systems have been installed off centre of the ladder/structure to which they are clamped so, when the operative either descends or ascends, they are likely to pull the trolley from one side. Normally this results in the system jamming and not running smoothly. Railbloc's trolley has been designed to prevent this from happening through the inclusion of guides within the wheel design which keeps the trolley in the correct positioning.

back to top

RAILBLOC SAFETY FEATURES

Railbloc has a unique fail-safe design in that the cam-brake mechanism will work if the trolley is attached incorrectly i.e. upside down. The cam-brake includes a rubber "o" ring which prevents the cam-brake teeth from continually rubbing and gouging the track during normal operations. This significantly lengthens the life of the complete system and reduces ongoing maintenance.

back to top

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

All fall arrests & PPE equipment needs regular inspection and re-certification in accordance with BS EN 365:2004 Personal Protective Equipment against falls from height–General requirements for instruction for use and marking. This can be carried out by Safesite as a service contract and included within the quotation for the system.

back to top