• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • MARKETS & PRODUCTS
    • Markets


      Construction

      Cybersecurity

      Fixed Gas & Flame Detection

      General Industry

      Healthcare

      HVAC-R

      Oil & Gas

      Training

      Utilities

      Products


      Combustion Analysis

      Confined Space

      Connected Work

      Corporate

      Fall Protection

      Fixed Gas & Flame Detection

      Gas Analysis

      General

      Head Protection

      Heat Stress

      Leak Detection

      Portable Gas Detection

      Refrigerant Analysis

      Respiratory Protection

      Column
  • SUBSCRIBE

Which Self-Retracting Lifeline is Best for Leading Edge?

2 Min Read | Aug 24, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutesLeading Edge is an application where in the event of a fall, the lifeline of the self-retracting lanyard (SRL) may come in contact with an exposed edge, or sharp edge. Understanding the differences between Overhead SRL and SRL-E is key to making sure you are using the right safety equipment for your working at heights application.

August 24, 2020 by Kimberly Smith

Reading Time: 2 minutes

According to OSHA, fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for more than 300 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in 2018 (BLS data).[1] Those deaths were preventable; which is why it is so important not only to raise fall hazard awareness, but to also understand which equipment is right for each specific working at heights application. One of those applications is Leading Edge. What is Leading Edge? Leading Edge is an application where in the event of a fall, the lifeline of the Self Retracting lanyard may come in contact with an exposed edge, or sharp edge. In many scenarios, leading edge applications occur when the harness wearer is tied off or anchored below their back D-ring; however, it is possible when anchor points are overhead as well.

Download the infographic to share with your team!

Download the Infographic

What are the Types of Self-Retracting Lifelines? Self-Retracting Lifelines are a form of fall protection equipment typically used in construction, but also many other industries. SRLs includes a lifeline made of cable or web, and are designed to automatically arrest an uncontrolled descent and limit the force of the fall felt by the worker wearing it, which can be substantial for falls even of just four to six feet.[2]

  • SRL-LE or HORIZONTAL SRL-LE
    • These are interchangeable terms for leading edge self-retracting lifelines. They must include an integral energy absorber element next to the worker and have been tested to the leading edge criteria specified by ANSI, and/or CSA.
  • SRL or OVERHEAD SRL
    • These are interchangeable terms for traditional self-retracting lifelines used in applications other than leading edge.  It is important to note that while all SRLs are rated to ANSI Z359.14 for overhead use, only a subset of these will be Leading Edge SRLs.

What Type of SRL is Right for Leading Edge Applications? Determining which SRL to use requires understanding the application in which you’re working and how the SRL needs to function safely in that scenario. Download the infographic above to learn more about Leading Edge and how to choose between an Overhead SRL or SRL-E.

[1] https://www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown/

[2] https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2019/09/24/Livin-on-the-Edge.aspx

Recommended for You

Construction

What Fall Protection PPE Should Be Considered in Aerial Lifts and Other MEWPs

March 22, 2024
4 Min Read
Construction

OSHA’s Head Protection Safety and Health Information Bulletin: What It Means for PPE Selection

May 28, 2024
4 Min Read
Construction

Understanding the ANSI/ASSP A10.50-2024 Standard: Heat Stress Management in Construction and Demolition Operations

June 19, 2024
5 Min Read
Construction

Infographic: Considerations & Factors For Choosing Head Protection

July 16, 2024
< 1 Minute Read
Share:

Footer

MSA MISSION: That men and women may work in safety and that they, their families, and their communities may live in health throughout the world.

MSASafety.com

  • Construction
  • General Industry
  • Oil & Gas
  • HVAC-R
  • Utilities
  • Fixed Gas & Flame Detection
  • Fire Service
MSA on Facebook   MSA on X   MSA on Instagram   MSA on LinkedIn   MSA on YouTube  

Contact

  • blog@msasafety.com
  • 1-800-672-2222
  • View All Contact Info
  • Subscribe

Other MSA Blogs

  • Fire Service – The Scene
  • FieldServer – The Safety Connection

© 2024 MSA. All rights reserved.

© 2025 MSA . All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT