Restraint System or Fall Arrest System: The Difference and When Each is Appropriate
In discussions about fall protection, restraint systems and fall arrest systems are often treated as synonyms. They are not. The difference is fundamental – it determines what equipment is needed, how it is used, and what requirements are placed on the workplace.
The Restraint System: Preventing Falls
A restraint system (Standard: EN 358 in conjunction with EN 363) prevents a person from even entering the fall hazard area. The connecting device between the harness and the anchor point is set so short that the edge of the roof surface cannot be physically reached.
The logic behind this is simple: if you can't fall, you don't need to be caught. This makes the restraint system the safer option – there is no fall energy, no stress on the harness, no risk of suspension trauma.
What the restraint system requires: a suitable anchor point at hip height or above, a connecting device that can be adjusted to the exact length (max. length = distance from anchor point to fall edge minus 0.5 m, in accordance with DGUV 201-056), sufficient space for work within the secured area, and instruction for the user.
The Fall Arrest System: Catching Falls
A fall arrest system (EN 361, EN 354, EN 355 or EN 360) intervenes after a fall has already occurred. The person has fallen, the system slows down the free fall and holds them securely – if a few crucial points are observed.
Fall Clearance: Below the anchor point, there must be sufficient clear space so that the person does not hit the ground after the fall and after the shock absorber has extended (up to 175 cm). On flat roofs, this space is often tighter than expected.
Rescue Plan: After a fall has been arrested, the person hangs in the harness – and usually cannot free themselves. Suspension trauma sets in within minutes. A rescue plan is legally required, not optional.
The Decision: What Fits the Application?
Choose a restraint system if: the work area is sufficiently far from the fall edge, no physical access to the edge is necessary, and no rescue plan for a fall is feasible.
Choose a fall arrest system if: the work leads up to the roof edge, sufficient fall clearance is available, and a rescue plan exists.
What does DGUV 201-056 say about this?
The revised DGUV Information 201-056 (September 2025) explicitly emphasizes the STOP principle: Collective protection (guardrails, side protection) always takes precedence. PPE against falls from a height – whether a restraint or fall arrest system – must be used if collective measures are not possible or not sufficient.
Anchor Points and Guardrails at Gerüstexpress
The Gerüstexpress product range includes mobile anchor points and guardrails for temporary use on flat roofs. All products are tested according to EN 795. For questions, the team is available via the contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a restraint system safer than a fall arrest system?
In the sense that no fall occurs: yes. But it requires correct adjustment of the connecting device length. An incorrectly adjusted restraint system can mutate into an unintentional fall arrest system without fall clearance calculation.
What happens if the connecting device is too long?
Then it is no longer a restraint system, but at best a poorly configured fall arrest system – without the necessary fall clearance calculation and possibly without sufficient clear space below.
Do I have to create a risk assessment for every restraint system?
Yes. Any work in a fall hazard area requires a risk assessment that documents the chosen system and its conditions of use.
