NEWS AND STANDARDS
What is a life line?
A lifeline is a system of anchoring points to which the operator during work at height can connect using appropriate PPE to protect himself against falls from above. There are multiple types of anchor points ranging from a single point to multiple points connected together by a live cable.
Legislative framework
The legislative framework, both at a national and regional level, requires, every time that coverage is accessed for any reason in the absence of collective protection systems, the presence of permanent anchoring devices to which the operator can, in full safety, attach your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
The roofs of buildings must be designed and built in such a way that subsequent maintenance work can be carried out in safe conditions.
LEGISLATIVE DECREE 81/2008
The decree regulates work at height, specifying this type of work as "a work activity that exposes the worker to the risk of falls from a height placed at a height greater than 2 m with respect to a stable surface" (art. 107).
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The art. 122 defines that " In work at height, adequate scaffolding or scaffolding or suitable provisional works or in any case precautions aimed at eliminating the danger of falling people must be adopted, following the development of the work itself ..."
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If collective protection measures are not implemented, it is necessary that workers use suitable protection systems composed of different elements, not necessarily present at the same time, in compliance with the technical standards , defined in art. 115:
a) energy absorbers;
b) connectors;
c) anchoring devices;
d) lanyards;
e) retractable devices;
f) flexible guidelines or lifelines;
g) rigid guides or lifelines;
h) harnesses
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Furthermore, paragraph 3 states that "The protection system must be secured, directly or by means of a connector along a guide or lifeline, to stable parts of fixed or temporary works."
In fact, art. 115 defines the obligation to anchor PPE to works defined as fixed, thus speaking of anchoring systems built and manufactured according to the UNI EN 795 standard.
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UNI EN 795: 2012
The standard specifies the performance requirements and associated test methods for single-user anchoring devices that are intended to be removed from the structure.
These anchor devices incorporate mobile stationary anchor points designed for the connection of components of a personal fall protection system in accordance with UNI EN 363.
The standard also specifies the requirements for marking and instructions for use, as well as an installation guide.
REGIONAL AND PROVINCIAL LAWS
Many regions, to protect workers against falls from a height, have promulgated laws that require the installation of lifelines on the renovation of existing buildings and on new buildings.
Many of them have extended the obligation to install the lifeline even in the case of significant renovations of existing buildings.