Climbing while using fall arrest lanyards isn’t just about having the right equipment it’s about how you use it while moving.

Twin lanyards are designed to provide continuous protection, but incorrect use can quickly increase fall distance and fall factor. This episode breaks down the correct technique and the real-world risks that come from getting it wrong.

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When climbing with twin lanyards, the key objective is simple: stay connected at all times while keeping fall distance as low as reasonably practicable.

Twin lanyards allow movement by alternating connection points, but if both hooks are disconnected at any stage, or positioned poorly, the risk of a high fall factor increases significantly. This can overwhelm the energy absorber and lead to serious injury.

Risk assessment plays a crucial role in deciding:

• Whether front or rear attachment is appropriate
• Where suitable anchorage points exist
• How movement should be managed safely

Practical Steps / Key Takeaways

• Always keep one hook connected while moving.
• Move one or two rungs at a time to limit fall distance.
• Avoid overreaching this increases the chance of falling past handrails or obstacles.
• Use separate anchorage points where possible.
• When descending, disconnect the upper hook first, then step down.
• Avoid disconnecting high and reattaching low this creates dangerous fall factors.
• Let the energy absorber do its job by keeping fall factors low.

We see many incidents caused not by poor equipment, but by poor technique and misunderstanding of fall dynamics.

Our training focuses on:

• Real-world movement scenarios
• Understanding fall factor and fall distance
• Applying risk assessment to everyday tasks

Fall arrest systems only protect you when they’re used correctly and that understanding comes from practical, experience-led training.

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