Collective restraint systems

Collective restraint systems are passive safety systems designed to stop personnel from falling when working from significant heights. Once collective restraint systems have been installed, they do not require workers to take proactive measures in order to be safe. This is why they are considered passive safety measures.

Unlike personal fall arrest or fall prevention systems, collective restraint systems protect numerous workers across a large area. To protect personnel working in high-risk areas, systems should be at least 1.2m high and placed around the perimeter of the area.

Systems can include:

• Guardrails. A guardrail is a longitudinal barrier that prevents people from falling or straying into a dangerous or restricted zone.
• Barriers or guardings. These are structures – either raised rails, parapets or walls – that deny access to unsafe areas
• Purlin trolleys. Purlin trolleys provide workers with a safety deck to walk on and protect them from exposure to edging. They are frequently used in roofing installations.

Some systems are static and do not require removal when they are not in use, but some do not need to be permanently installed and can be disassembled.

If a collective restraint system is not in place, personal fall arrest systems should be used to protect workers in situations where falls are possible.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Approved Document K.
• Barrier.
• BS 7883.
• BS 7883 guide released.
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
• Fall arrest system.
• Fall prevention systems.
• Guarding.
• Guardrail.
• Injuries on construction sites.
• Personal fall protection system.
• Purlins.
• Railings.
• Safety in high places.
• Safety systems for working at heights.
• Site safety.
• Work at height checklist for managers.
• Work at height regulations.
• Work at height.
• Working at height - our duty to prevent harm and protect each other.
• Working at height training.

[edit] External resources

• Health and Safety Executive, A technical guide to the selection and use of fall prevention and arrest equipment, 2005.
• Health and Safety Executive, Managing health and safety in construction, 2015.
• Health and Safety Executive, The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, 2015.