What device automatically locks to arrest a fall but moves freely during normal movement?

What device automatically locks to arrest a fall but moves freely during normal movement?

• A. Self-Retracting Lanyard
• B. Smoke Detectors
• C. Safety Glasses
• D. Safety Data Sheets

Answer: (A)

A device that allows free movement during normal work but automatically locks to stop a fall is a self-retracting lanyard. It uses a spring-loaded reel with a cord or strap. As you move, the reel takes up slack so you can walk or climb without hindrance. If you take a tumble or experience a sudden downward pull, inertia causes the internal braking system to engage, locking the cord and arresting the fall almost immediately. This setup is common in theatre rigging and other elevated work because it provides safety with minimal resistance to normal movement, while limiting fall distance and impact forces when a fall occurs. The other options don’t serve fall protection: smoke detectors are for fire safety, safety glasses protect eyes, and Safety Data Sheets communicate chemical hazard information.

A device that allows free movement during normal work but automatically locks to stop a fall is a self-retracting lanyard. It uses a spring-loaded reel with a cord or strap. As you move, the reel takes up slack so you can walk or climb without hindrance. If you take a tumble or experience a sudden downward pull, inertia causes the internal braking system to engage, locking the cord and arresting the fall almost immediately. This setup is common in theatre rigging and other elevated work because it provides safety with minimal resistance to normal movement, while limiting fall distance and impact forces when a fall occurs. The other options don’t serve fall protection: smoke detectors are for fire safety, safety glasses protect eyes, and Safety Data Sheets communicate chemical hazard information.