Fall arrest systems don’t stop you falling they stop you dying from the impact.

The real danger in a fall is the sudden stop and the trauma that follows when the body’s organs catch up.

We break down what fall arrest really means, how it protects you, and the key behaviours that determine whether your system works or fails.

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A proper fall arrest system:

• Reduces impact force below 6 kN,
• Absorbs energy gradually
• Protects the body from catastrophic trauma.

Whether you’re using lanyards, blocks, or inertia reels, the entire purpose is the same:

Slow the stop, reduce the force, and give the user a survivable deceleration.

Without proper setup and technique, the system simply can’t do its job and impact trauma remains the critical risk.

Practical Steps / Key Takeaways

Don’t bypass the shock absorber: 
‍Never clip both lanyards back into yourself. Always attach each leg to separate anchor points.

Keep anchor points as high as possible:
‍Higher attachment = lower fall factor = safer outcome.

Maintain two points of contact: 
‍Never rely on a single connection when climbing or transitioning.

Check function before use:
‍Ensure tags are valid, lanyards deploy correctly, inertia reels lock as intended.

Understand fall factor:
‍Aim for fall factor zero wherever possible by keeping yourself below the anchor point.

Ascend and descend safely:
‍Move one lanyard at a time, keeping one secured high while repositioning the other.

We emphasise that fall arrest isn’t just a piece of equipment it’s a system backed by understanding, behaviour, and ongoing assessment. Our training focuses on real-world decision-making: choosing correct anchor points, managing fall factors, checking equipment, and avoiding the subtle mistakes that bypass shock absorption or compromise redundancy.

The goal isn’t simply compliance it’s giving workers the competence and confidence to operate safely at height every day.

Need help improving your work-at-height safety?

Our training and consultancy services help teams understand fall protection systems, plan safe work, and operate confidently at height.

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Before any confined space entry, the breathing apparatus must be right, not assumed, not guessed, but checked properly. In this episode, we walk through a full daily and general inspection of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) to ensure it’s safe, functional, and ready to protect the wearer.

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A safe confined space entry depends heavily on the reliability of breathing apparatus. If something fails an O-ring leak, a damaged hose, a faulty whistle, there’s no second chance.

Daily SCBA checks ensure:

• The equipment seals correctly
• Air supply is stable and within safe limits
• No damage compromises the system
• Failures are caught before the wearer enters the space

Skipping, rushing, or assuming these checks can lead to equipment malfunction when it matters most.

Practical Steps / Key Takeaways

Key elements of the daily and general SCBA check:

• Visual inspection of backplate, harness, fabric, straps, and fixtures
• Cylinder-to-set connection and O-ring integrity
• Pressure reducing valve and high-pressure line condition
• Gauge check glass, whistle port, zero position
• Medium pressure line and demand valve checks
• Mask inspection: visor, harness, spade ends, seal, inhalation/exhalation valves
• Cylinder condition, dates & charging pressure (testing dates + expiry)
• High-pressure leak test by isolating the cylinder
• Whistle test at 55 bar ±5
• Face mask positive pressure and seal test
• Final shutdown and accurate logbook entry

These steps catch damage early and ensure the BA set is safe to use when lives depend on it.

We don’t teach SCBA checks as a tick-box exercise. We teach teams why each step matters, where sets typically fail, what warning signs are most often missed, and how real-world confined space work stresses breathing apparatus.

Good checks aren’t about compliance alone. They’re about confidence: knowing the set will work, knowing the wearer is protected, and knowing you’ve done everything possible to prevent a breathing emergency underground or in a confined environment.

Need help with your confined space safety?

Our training and consultancy teams support organisations across the UK with realistic, honest, and practical approaches to confined space work.

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https://www.reaxltd.com/training/confined-space

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Emergency procedures are one of the most overlooked parts of confined space work — yet they’re the first thing that matter when something goes wrong. Before anyone enters the space, the team must know the plan, the equipment, the roles, and the rescue options.

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Emergency procedures need to be established before work starts, not during an incident. The level of planning depends on whether the entry is low, medium, or high risk, but the principle stays the same: if something goes wrong, the response must be immediate, coordinated, and understood by everyone involved.

Failing to plan properly can lead to delayed rescue, miscommunication, preventable injuries, or an incident escalating far beyond what the team can manage.

Practical Steps / Key Takeaways

Low-Risk Emergencies

• A clear worker-alone policy must be in place.
• First aid resources should be easily accessible.
• Communication must be reliable, not only between the entrant and standby, but also back to a manager, office, or partner on site.

Medium-Risk Emergencies

• All team members should be trained to operate winches or retrieval systems safely.
• Everyone must understand the emergency plan and know their individual role.
• Retrieval equipment must be ready, checked, and close to the entry point.

High-Risk Emergencies

• Everything from low and medium risk applies, with added requirements.
• A dedicated rescue team must be on standby, typically with a minimum of three trained personnel.
• Full breathing apparatus may be required depending on the potential hazards.
• The rescue team must be ready to intervene immediately.

Expert Insight or REAX Perspective

We teach emergency procedures as an embedded part of confined space operations, not an afterthought. Teams need more than a written plan; they need clarity, confidence, and the ability to act under pressure. Through training and confined space consultancy, we help organisations develop emergency strategies that are realistic, compliant, and built around their actual working environments.

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