ChallengeRopesCourse
Understanding Fall Restraint and Fall Restriction in Challenge Ropes Courses: Why the Difference Matters
Recently, while exploring the book Aerial Adventure Environments: The Theory and Practice of the Challenge Course, Zip Line, and Canopy Tour Industry, we came across a valuable clarification of two terms that are sometimes used interchangeably in Singapore’s Challenge Ropes Course (CRC) community: “Fall Restraint” and “Fall Restriction.” These terms have unique safety implications, and understanding the difference can help practitioners select and implement the right systems to enhance participant safety.
What’s the Difference?
- Fall Restraint is designed to prevent practitioners from reaching the edge of a platform or any point where a fall could occur. Locally, an example includes cable restraint lines on towers, which prevent practitioners from approaching hazardous edges.
- Fall Restriction, on the other hand, does not prevent someone from reaching a fall zone but rather limits the distance and impact if a fall occurs. Examples include safety tethers, energy absorbers, or self-retracting lifelines (SRLs), which are designed to limit fall distances to maintain participant safety.
| Fall Restraint
(aka travel restraint) |
Fall Restriction
(aka limited free fall) (aka restrained fall) |
|
| How does it protect? | · Prevents people from reaching fall hazard.
· Length of equipment system halts the person from reaching the edge. |
· Stops a fall that is in progress.
· Equipment stops the person from falling more than 2 ft (60cm). |
| Potential free fall allowed by regulation | None | · 2 ft or 60cm |
| Equipment needed | Custom-fitted PPE
· Harness with waist connection permitted Connectors Anchorage |
Custom-fitted PPE
· Sternal D-ring Connectors Anchorage |
| Training needed | · Extensive
· Ongoing |
· Extensive
· Ongoing |
| Inspection | · Before every use
· Annually |
· Before every use
· Annually |
| Potential for injury | Mild | Moderate |
| Cost | Ongoing | Ongoing |
(Adapted from the book
Why It Matters in Practice Applying each approach correctly is crucial for practitioners. Fall restraint measures are ideal on towers and platforms, to keep practitioners and participants away from the edge. While fall restriction systems are essential in scenarios where movement near a fall hazard is necessary. For example when navigating an element there is a risk of falling, hence a fall restriction system like a lanyard or a continuous belay device is used.
Standards for Fall Distance Limitation According to the ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology) standards, fall restriction systems should limit the potential free-fall distance to no more than 610 mm (24 inches), reducing the impact force on participants and ensuring that they are within reach for a recovery or rescue.
Understanding the Impact of These Distinctions This distinction between fall restraint and fall restriction underscores the importance of precise terminology in CRC environments. Misusing or misunderstanding these terms could lead to the selection of inappropriate safety systems, which in turn could increase the risk of accidents. By understanding these differences, practitioners can make informed choices about the types of systems they implement, ensuring that they meet both safety standards and the specific needs of each course element.
Learn More in Our Workshops At Blackbox Outdoor Education, our training and ACCT certification courses offer in-depth instruction on best practices for CRC environments. Join us to explore these distinctions and learn how to implement them when operating at the CRC.
Explore Blackbox OE to dive deeper into CRC safety, and join us to put theory into practice.
