Safety: Latchways Personal Rescue Device
Latchways is revolutionizing the rescue process with its PRD (Personal Rescue Device) which utilizes innovative design technology. The lightweight, unobtrusive PRD is an integrated harness system for self rescue. In the event of a fall, the device lowers the worker gently to the ground in a controlled descent.
The whole rescue process only takes a few seconds due to the Latchways engineering in the ‘back pack’ which contains:
- A parachute-type ‘rip cord’ that releases the descending system
- A brake mechanism and spool with a 20m (65 foot) cord that gently lowers the faller to the ground
- A standard harness that can be easily released, allowing quick evacuation from the fall zone
Models include:
- RH2—Two point harness (dorsal and chest attachments)
- RH3—Three point harness (dorsal, chest and work positioning waist belt attachments)
The PRD is built into a standard harness which is supplied by Latchways or can be retrofitted into an existing harness (retrofitting the harness should not be done without first contacting Latchways).
The innovative design uses quality componentry and a limited number of moving parts ensuring 100% mechanical integrity which is defined by the design standards the device meets and exceeds.
Ease of use
The patented Latchways componentry has been designed to fit neatly into the ‘back pack’ to ensure the worker can safely go about their daily work. The ‘back pack’ fits onto a harness so that it becomes part of everyday work wear for those who work at height. It is lightweight and unobtrusive but also robust, so it can withstand the rigors of the harshest working environments.
Minimal training and fast rescue
Unlike all other rescue devices, no specialist training is required: the device is worn as part of a standard harness and activation is achieved by simply pulling the "rip cord." Once the rip cord is pulled, the spool and its integral braking mechanism lower the wearer to the ground in a controlled descent.
Creating your risk assessment using the Latchways PRD
Latchways recognizes the complexity of creating risk assessments and the myriad of procedures that often need to be detailed to cover the rescue element of the assessment. The Latchways Personal Rescue Device offers the opportunity to simplify these processes and, to cover all the eventualities that could arise, can be activated using the Latchways Rescue Pole through the built-in secondary descent release mechanism.
The Latchways PRD harness conforms to EN361: 2002ANSI Z359.1.2007.
The descender device conforms to EN 341: 2011 Type 1, Class DANSI Z359.4:2007
The ‘back pack’ and harness conform to BS EN 13463-1:2001 equipment group 11 category 2
Contact Latchways for more information. A harness sizing guide is available here.