Working Safely at Height

The Invisible Danger Zone: Why You Need to Understand Required Fall Clearance

When you're working at height and using a fall protection system, you might think, “I’m secured, so I’m safe.” But that’s not always the case. Most people overlook one crucial factor: the required fall clearance.

What is required fall clearance?

Required fall clearance is the minimum distance below your working level needed to come to a complete and safe stop in the event of a fall – without hitting the ground or any obstacles. It's not about the height you're working at, but the space you actually need to be safely caught.

Too little space = braking too late = serious injury or worse.

Why awareness is essential

Many accidents don’t happen because fall protection is missing, but because it’s used incorrectly. The harness fits well, the lanyard is attached – but there’s simply not enough space beneath your feet.

Awareness of required fall clearance is not a minor detail – it’s literally a matter of life and death. Unfortunately, this aspect is still too often underestimated in practice.

What determines the required fall clearance?

The space you need depends on:
• The length of your lanyard
• The extension of the energy absorber
• The position of the anchor point
• An extra safety margin (typically ±1 metre)