News

How to Find the Right Fall Arrest Lanyard

Published

6 months ago

May 20, 2024

When thinking about a fall arrest system, we tend to put the focus on the anchors and the actual harness itself. They are obviously very important, but there is a little piece of the system that is oftentimes overlooked: the lanyard.

In order to ensure proper fall protection, each component has to be right. Choosing a fall arrest lanyard is more involved than it might seem. If you are in the market for a new fall arrest lanyard, here are a few things worth taking into consideration.

Fall Force

Among the most important factors when choosing fall arrest lanyards is the specified fall force. Being educated on these components ultimately leads to improved safety. Knowing fall force before making your choice can mean the difference between life and death depending on the job.

Each fall arrest lanyard is rated to support a certain amount of force. For instance, a worker that is about 200 pounds will be subject to as much as 8,000 pounds of force from a fall of 10 feet on abrupt force. There are other factors (including the next one) that play a role in fall force, so be aware of them before comparing fall force parameters.

Length

Choosing fall arrest lanyards isn’t just done on a whim. A critical aspect of getting the right lanyard is ensuring that you have the proper length. In order to limit free falls, it is advised that no more than six feet in length be available when using a fall arrest lanyard. The more room there is to fall, the greater the potential force and impact.

Though there are different fall arrest lanyards featuring different lengths, the idea is to keep things shorter. Some systems are not meant to prevent falls, but rather prevent impact. It may be a better idea to look into a lanyard that helps to prevent falls altogether rather than simply softening the blow.

Compatibility

Though it might go without saying, you can’t necessarily just plug and play every lanyard and connector. Connectors, like snap hooks, scaffold hooks, web loops, or carabiners, should be appropriate at the connection point. Having a less than secure connection point compromises the safety of the worker in the event of a fall.

Many components aren’t interchangeable even if they come from the same manufacturer. It is crucial to evaluate the compatibility of each component to ensure a proper, secure fit. Proper manufacturers even put out technical bulletins to educate the use of each component. Connectors need to remain solid and in place, especially against the excess force exerted in the event of a fall.

Connector Specifications

OSHA is the regulatory firm that issues safety standards and regulations that businesses must follow. OSHA requires that all carabiners and snaphooks be self-closing and self-locking, for instance. Opening and releasing snap hooks need to have two deliberate actions so that it doesn’t open randomly or by accident.

Take the time to inspect all fall safety equipment, not just harnesses and lanyards. Look for signs of wear and tear, replacing components if there is any noticeable damage. Even seemingly miniscule wear and tear can result in a catastrophic failure. It is a risk that is not worth taking.

Fall safety equipment may not be the most complicated to use, but it requires attention to detail in order to ensure that it serves its purpose. Having as much information going into the situation as possible will ensure that every component works the way it was meant to, and that each worker wearing it will remain as safe as possible.

Entertainment

Two-day Christmas fair set for Pembrokeshire

Published

16 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s annual Christmas Fair will run for two days this year, on Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15.

Held at the Parkhouse Building on the Haverfordwest Showground, the venue will transform into a festive shopping destination, offering an expanded range of stalls, live music, Santa’s Grotto, and an outdoor food court.

Expanded event

Event organisers Judith Roach and Emma Thomas expressed their excitement about the extended format. They said:
“We are thrilled to announce that our Christmas Fair will run for two days instead of just one. We are building on last year’s success with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. The Parkhouse Building will become a one-stop shop for everyone preparing for Christmas.”

The fair will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on both days, with free admission for all visitors.

Festive treats and unique gifts

Attendees can expect to browse an extensive selection of unique gifts, handmade decorations, artwork, and homeware. Local food and drink producers will also showcase festive delights, including chocolate brownies, fudge, spirits, and Welsh cheeses.

An outdoor food court will cater for visitors on the go, with a variety of hot and cold options.

Santa’s Grotto

Santa himself will make a special appearance, with children able to visit him for £3 per child. Each child will receive a small gift, with all proceeds going to the Sandy Bear charity. Advance bookings can be made via the Sandy Bear website.

Community effort

Adam Thorne, president of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, praised the efforts of the event’s organisers:
“The society would like to thank Judith and Emma for their dedication in organising this two-day event. We’re delighted to offer visitors a chance to do their Christmas shopping while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourages visitors to follow the Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for updates and a complete list of stallholders.

The event promises to be a perfect start to the holiday season, welcoming families and shoppers alike.

News

New hope for rare dormouse after forest find

Published

16 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A RARE hazel dormouse has been discovered in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, bringing fresh hope for the survival of the endangered species in the area.

The golden-brown rodent, known for its distinctive big eyes and long whiskers, has seen a dramatic population decline across Britain—down 70% since 2000. It is now one of seven vulnerable mammals in Wales.

Conservationists made the significant find during a project aimed at linking habitats across the park. Volunteers had set up nesting boxes in the Nevern woodland, roughly five miles west of the dormouse’s known habitat in Pengelli Forest.

A lucky discovery

Park conservationist Mary Chadwick said the team had been trying to connect isolated dormouse populations across the park’s ancient oak woodlands, including Pengelli Forest and areas near the Pentre Ifan Neolithic site.

“We were looking at linking up those important sites and checking whether populations were isolated,” she explained. “A licensed dormouse volunteer took on a new site and set up the boxes. It can take years for dormice to use the boxes, but we got lucky this year.”

The discovery marks the first recorded dormouse population in the Nevern valley, raising hopes for the species’ ability to spread across the landscape and bolster genetic diversity—key to its long-term survival.

Supporting conservation efforts

To ensure a brighter future for dormice, conservationists are calling on farmers and landowners to adopt wildlife-friendly practices, such as cutting hedgerows less frequently.

“We’re asking people to trim hedges on alternate sides each year,” said Ms. Chadwick. “That would be much better for our dormice.”

Building a future

With ongoing conservation efforts and discoveries like this, researchers hope the dormouse can move closer to recovery in Pembrokeshire. The new find has confirmed their belief that dormice could thrive across the Nevern valley, creating vital connections between isolated populations.

*Nesting boxes placed in the forest where dormice were found (Pic: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park)*

Crime

Burglar jailed for stealing cars worth £90,000 from Sinclair Garage

Published

16 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BRIAN DAVIS, 53, of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting to three counts of non-dwelling burglary at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard that Davis and an accomplice targeted Sinclair Garages in Neyland during the early hours of April 2 last year, stealing four vehicles: a Mercedes CLA, an Audi A1, an Audi Q3, and a Volkswagen Tiguan worth around £90,000 in total.

Sentencing Davis, Judge Paul Thomas KC said the crimes were too severe for a suspended sentence and noted little hope of rehabilitation. “These offences display planning and determination,” the judge remarked.

The burglars forced entry into the garage, using a crowbar to access a key storage board. Nine sets of keys were stolen, allowing them to take multiple vehicles. Prosecutor Matthew Murphy told the court: “The men left with two cars initially, returned 14 minutes later to steal a third, and returned again for a fourth.”

The stolen cars were valued at approximately £90,000. Three vehicles – the Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi A1, and Audi Q3 – were recovered the following day. However, the Mercedes CLA, worth £12,382, was only located in January this year. Damages included £5,541 to replace locks on several vehicles.

Police traced Davis through partial fingerprints found on a glove left in one of the stolen cars. He was arrested after surrendering at Haverfordwest Police Station on August 14.

Struggles with addiction

The court heard Davis had left Pembrokeshire in December, breaching post-sentence supervision for an unrelated offence, to stay with family in Glasgow and recover from drug addiction. Stuart John, defending, explained: “The defendant struggled with heroin addiction from a young age. Family bereavements caused a relapse.”

Mr John noted that Davis had been clean when he returned to Pembrokeshire and voluntarily handed himself in. While in custody, Davis completed courses and attended counselling, demonstrating awareness of the consequences of further drug use.

Recovered vehicles