Calculate the clear height

If you work at low heights, there is a risk of falling even if you are wearing fall protection. That's why we've developed a guide to calculate the minimum distance required for your fall protection system to prevent you from hitting the ground or other obstacles during a fall.

Why should you calculate your clearance height?

Fall arrest systems need a certain clearance under the user to be able to stop a fall. This clearance, which you can find in the user manual, is necessary for the system to safely arrest the fall. If the point where the system is attached can move downwards, for example if it is a flexible structure, you will need to add the extra distance to the specified clearance height.

It is important to understand that the clearance height is more than just the simple distance from a worker to the nearest obstacle. This calculation can mean the difference between a safely stopped fall and a serious injury.

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How to calculate your headroom

Length of the line + length of the user
+ 1.75 metres braking distance to include the extension of the fall arrestor
+ 1 metre safety margin

In the following example, the safety line and the user are two metres long:

2 + 2 metres + 1.75 metres + 1 metre = 6.75 metres.

Preventing accidents at low altitude

When working at lower heights, it is easy to underestimate the risks. Many people think that fall protection is only necessary when working at heights, but in fact, falls from lower heights can lead to serious injuries or even be life-threatening. That's why it's important to choose the right type of fall protection, such as carbine or fall protection block, to suit your particular working conditions and minimise the risk of injury.

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Your expert in fall protection

Calculating the height of a fall is essential for those who work or are responsible for safety when working at height, but to climb safely you also need to be trained and use the right fall protection. At Personligt Fallskydd, we offer equipment, training and services that prepare you to work professionally at any height or in any work area.

Our other guides

Store your equipment properly

Fitting Peltor earmuffs to Kask helmets

Fitting trauma straps to a fall arrest harness

Clean your fall protection equipment

How to choose the right carbine

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