In our commitment to safety, innovation and technological development, at G8 VERTICAL and G8 CAPACITACIONES we have carried out several tests in conjunction with 3M in which we experimented with the effects that a free fall can have on a person’s body.
To do this, we travelled to the 3M training centre in Santiago and used an 80 kgr dummy or rescue simulation dummy to recreate 3 falls with 3 different pieces of equipment.
In the first video, the mannequin wears a positioning tail or strobe without an impact absorber and a free fall of several centimetres is observed, followed by a strong impact that causes a sudden cervical movement and a large impact on the leg loops.
In the second video, the dummy again uses safety tails or strobes, this time with a shock absorber. The free fall this time happens with a short braking distance, thus softening the impact. As there is no rebound, the braking is more stable and possible injuries are reduced.
In the third and final video, a retractable system is used, which minimises free fall and therefore minimises the impact force and the possibility of injury.
In conclusion, we can reconfirm that the use of systems without shock absorbers, in addition to not complying with Chilean regulations, is imminently dangerous for the user and that, among the devices equipped with shock absorbers or shock absorbers, retractable systems, as they activate quickly, may be the best choice.
We invite everyone who carries out work at height to watch the videos and share this valuable information with colleagues and employees. Together we can create safer working environments and reduce the risk of injury from falls.