To protect workers at height, you need the right fall protection system. Fall arrest and fall restraint systems are similar—but they're not interchangeable. Choosing the wrong approach can lead to preventable injuries and costly OSHA fines.

This article explains the difference between fall arrest vs. fall restraint, when to use each, how to select the right one, and why making an informed choice keeps your facility safe and compliant.

Understanding Fall Arrest Systems

Fall arrest systems are designed to catch a worker if a fall occurs. They don’t stop falls from happening, but they prevent workers from hitting the ground or lower levels once a fall begins. These systems require careful setup to minimize injuries during a fall.

A compliant fall arrest system includes a full-body harness connected to an anchor point by a shock-absorbing lanyard or lifeline. OSHA requires anchors to support at least 5,000 pounds per worker or be designed, installed, and used as part of a complete personal fall arrest system under the supervision of a qualified person, maintaining a safety factor of at least two. Fall arrest also has strict limits, such as restricting free-fall distances to no more than six feet and limiting maximum arrest forces to 1,800 pounds.

Typical scenarios where fall arrest systems are necessary include working at unguarded roof edges, performing maintenance on towers, operating lifts at heights, or handling tasks in environments where other fall protection measures aren’t practical. Fall arrest is appropriate whenever tasks can’t be safely performed without workers nearing fall hazards directly.

Understanding Fall Restraint Systems

Fall restraint systems work by keeping workers away from hazards altogether. Instead of catching a worker mid-fall, they limit movement so workers physically can’t reach an edge or unsafe area. Because they prevent falls entirely, OSHA recommends fall restraint wherever practical.

These restraint systems typically use fixed-length lanyards, horizontal lifelines, anchor points, or barrier systems that create a boundary preventing workers from reaching hazards. Unlike fall arrest, restraint systems don’t require shock absorbers or significant clearance below because workers never actually fall.

Fall restraint is ideal for work conducted on flat roofs away from edges, tasks around skylights, inspections that don’t require direct exposure to height hazards, or jobs completed within clearly defined safe zones. When feasible, restraint systems simplify safety compliance and reduce risk considerably compared to fall arrest methods.

Key Differences Between Fall Arrest and Fall Restraint

Fall arrest systems manage risk by accepting that falls could happen and preparing to handle them safely. They require significant planning for rescue scenarios, adequate clearance to stop falls safely, and rigorous training on equipment use.

On the other hand, fall restraint systems eliminate the possibility of a fall occurring in the first place. By keeping workers within a safe zone, they remove the need for complicated rescue plans and reduce equipment complexity. OSHA consistently emphasizes restraint as the safer, simpler solution when possible, because it entirely removes the worker from the fall hazard.

Use the table below to compare fall arrest vs. fall restraint: 

How to Choose the Right System for Your Facility

A thorough fall hazard assessment is the best way to choose between fall arrest or fall restraint for your work environment. Start by identifying tasks where workers face fall hazards. Ask if you can restrict workers’ movement effectively to prevent them from accessing the hazard. If the task doesn’t allow restricted movement, check if there’s sufficient clearance below the work area to safely use fall arrest systems.

Selecting the wrong type of fall protection system creates significant risks. For example, using arrest systems unnecessarily can complicate rescue operations and add unnecessary risk. Likewise, using restraint systems improperly in scenarios requiring arrest leaves workers unprotected and exposed.

Safety Rail Source helps facilities decide precisely which fall protection approach is ideal for their unique circumstances. We can evaluate your workspace and design OSHA-compliant solutions that effectively eliminate or mitigate risks.

Fall Protection Solutions from Safety Rail Source

Safety Rail Source provides a comprehensive selection of OSHA-compliant fall protection solutions. Our products cover fall restraint and fall arrest needs, keeping your workers safe at heights.

We offer fixed and portable guardrails that provide passive fall restraint, completely eliminating exposure to roof edges and skylights. For active restraint, we supply custom travel restraint systems, including fixed-length lanyards and adjustable horizontal lifelines designed to limit workers’ movements to safe zones.

When you need to deploy fall arrest, we have customized anchor points, full-body harnesses, and connectors designed to arrest falls safely. Our solutions include mobile fall protection carts and custom-engineered anchor systems, ideal for situations where workers need to move freely near hazards.

With extensive industry expertise, we work closely with you to assess your fall hazards and design customized, turnkey solutions.

Create a Safer Workplace with the Right Fall Protection System

Selecting the right fall protection system out of fall arrest or fall restraint is vital to keeping your workers safe and your facility OSHA compliant. Thorough hazard assessments and proactive planning prevent accidents, reduce injuries, and help you avoid costly OSHA violations.

Contact Safety Rail Source® today, we have the experience and expertise to deliver customized solutions that address your unique facility conditions.