Company elevates ‘compliance in a can’ fall arrest kits with three new styles
This article was produced in partnership with Petzl
A critical component to working safely at height, “compliance in a can” type fall arrest kits have been on the market for some time now. But true to its innovative nature, Petzl refused to leave “good enough” alone.
“We’ve taken it one step further and elevated it,” says Scott Thielfoldt, business development manager for the generalist market, of Petzl’s new MEWP kit offerings. “Generally speaking, most people utilize their least expensive products in those kits, but instead of one simple style we’re offering three: entry-level, mid-level, and premium.”
Each of Petzl’s kits — NEWTON MEWP Kit, NEWTON FAST MEWP Kit, and NEWTON EASYFIT MEWP Kit — contain a fall arrest harness from the NEWTON range, a fall arrest lanyard with connectors pre-installed on each end, and a 15 L bag for easy storage and transportation of the kit. The BUCKET 15 bags have a roll-top closure to provide optimal protection against moisture and contaminants, a built-in zippered pocket for personal items, and are made of a high-strength TPU tarp material that’s resistant to UV, water, oil, grease, and both hot and cold temperatures.
Another differentiator for Petzl’s take on the MEWP kits is a practical one: if you have to wear fall protection, you want to wear something that’s comfortable. A lot of times those “compliance in a can” style kits go unused because they don’t offer that comfortable fit and Petzl took steps to change that, Thielfoldt says, adding that “in my opinion, ours are simple, easy to use, and at the same time far more comfortable than what’s currently on the market.”
For his part, Thielfoldt likes the NEWT FAST MEWP Kit best, which is the mid-range option. The harness is easily donned and doffed and it comes with an adjustable lanyard, another upgrade Petzl made to its kits. A lot of others on the market come with the standard 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard, but that length allows for a lot more freedom of movement — which is not necessarily a good thing in a MEWP.
“Standard length lanyards potentially allow people to get outside of the bucket or basket, where our adjustable lanyard can be cinched down and used to ensure you keep yourself inside,” Thielfoldt notes.
Anyone working at height should also have a rescue plan for what to do if something goes wrong. To that end, Petzl also offers a host of rescue solutions. In the event that two people are working in a MEWP and one person falls out, Petzl’s JAG RESCUE KIT would be a great option in that scenario. Again, there’s the ease-of-use component common to all Petzl’s gear: “You put it on an anchor, attach it to the person that’s fallen over the railing, and pull them up,” Thielfoldt says, adding being prepared in the event of a scenario like this “is the other side of the equation for fall protection.”
Starting in June 2024, the kits will be updated to feature the new ABSORBICA fall arrest lanyards which are now complaint with the CSA Z259.11-17 standard (for users weighing between 75 and 140 kg). All of the NEWTON harnesses are compliant with the CSA Z259.10 standard.
Petzl makes safety equipment that’s as ready as you are for a hard day’s work. Learn more about how Petzl’s got you covered at Petzl Canada.
