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INDUSTRY NOTICE

Publication of the Rationalised Protocol for Fall Restraint Systems on Fluted Metal Roof Sheeting

The Institute for Work at Height (IWH), in collaboration with the Southern African Metal Cladding and Roofing Association (SAMCRA), is pleased to announce the publication of the Rationalised Protocol for Fall Restraint Systems on Fluted Metal Roof Sheeting (Revision 6 – June 2026).

This protocol has been developed by industry experts in response to the absence of a South African standard specifically addressing the design, testing and installation of fall restraint anchor systems on fluted metal roof sheeting.

Traditional fall arrest systems generate arrest forces that are often incompatible with the structural limitations of metal roof sheeting. This protocol therefore introduces an evidence-based approach for the design and application of fall restraint systems, recognising that restraint systems are intended to prevent workers from reaching a fall hazard rather than arresting a fall after it has occurred.

The protocol provides guidance to:
- Manufacturers of fall restraint systems.
- Metal roof sheeting manufacturers and profilers.
- Designers and engineers.
- Suppliers and installers of fall protection systems.
- Building owners and facility managers.
- Competent persons responsible for the design, installation, inspection and maintenance of roof-mounted fall restraint systems.

It establishes practical requirements for the design, testing, installation and documentation of fall restraint systems while ensuring compatibility with the structural performance of fluted metal roof sheeting. The protocol also reinforces the principles of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Construction Regulations by prioritising fall prevention and fall restraint measures above fall arrest wherever reasonably practicable.

The IWH encourages all stakeholders involved in the design, manufacture, installation and use of fall restraint systems on metal roofs to familiarise themselves with this protocol and incorporate its requirements into their products, specifications and work practices.

This protocol represents a collaborative industry initiative to improve consistency, enhance worker safety and provide practical guidance where no dedicated South African standard previously existed.

Department of Employment and Labour Master Builders Association Western Cape Master Builders Association Free State Master Builders East Cape, South Africa Master Builders Association Free State Master Builders Association North SACPCMP Saiosh QCTO Page SAQA Engineering Council Of South Africa - ECSA

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗩𝘀. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹
🔴 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥
Free fall occurs when a person or object falls freely under the force of gravity without any system slowing or controlling the descent.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬
⚠️ No fall-arrest system is engaged.
⚠️ Very high acceleration and impact force.
⚠️ Can result in severe injury or fatality.
⚠️ Little or no time to react during the fall.
⚠️ Commonly caused by unprotected edges, ladder failures, or missing fall protection.
𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬
💥 Fatal head injuries
💥 Spinal injuries
💥 Multiple fractures
💥 Internal bleeding
💥 Permanent disability or death
𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞
A worker slips from an unprotected roof edge and falls directly to the ground without any fall protection system stopping the fall.

🟢 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥
Controlled fall occurs when a fall protection system safely arrests or controls the descent of a person, reducing impact forces and preventing contact with lower levels.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬
✅ Fall is stopped or slowed by a safety system.
✅ Uses harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, or self-retracting devices (SRLs).
✅ Reduces injury severity.
✅ Part of an approved fall protection plan.
✅ Requires proper inspection and correct use of equipment.
𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬
☑️Minimizes impact forces on the body.
☑️Reduces risk of serious injury.
☑️Prevents workers from striking lower structures.
☑️Improves emergency rescue opportunities.
𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞
A worker falls from a scaffold while wearing a full-body harness connected to an approved anchor point. The lanyard arrests the fall before the worker reaches the ground.

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧
📌Free fall is a highly dangerous event with a high risk of severe injury or fatality, while controlled fall significantly improves worker safety by reducing fall-related risks.
📌Free fall occurs without any effective fall protection system, whereas controlled fall relies on properly designed and installed fall protection equipment.
📌Free fall generates very high impact forces on the body, while controlled fall reduces these forces through energy-absorbing systems.
📌Free fall can result in serious injuries such as fractures, spinal damage, and head trauma, whereas controlled fall helps minimize injury severity.
📌Free fall is considered an unsafe and non-compliant condition, while controlled fall is an accepted safety practice when appropriate fall protection measures are in place.
𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒂𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌-𝒂𝒕-𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒔.