How many types of lifelines are there?
Before talking about brands, standards, or certifications, there is one question every worker at height — from an experienced rigger to someone just starting out — should be able to answer without hesitation:
How many types of lifelines are there, and what is each one used for?
Most people think a lifeline is just “a cable with a harness.”
That’s where the problem starts.
Choosing the wrong lifeline does not just invalidate a safety system — it exposes workers to falls, serious injuries, or complex rescues that could have been avoided at the design stage.
In this article, I’ll explain clearly and without unnecessary jargon how many types of lifelines exist, how they are classified, and when to use each one, based on real-world experience in work at height, lifting operations, rescue, industrial safety, and logistics.
If you work at height or design fall protection systems, this matters.
What is a lifeline and why is it so important?
A lifeline is a fall protection system that allows a worker to remain continuously anchored while moving or performing tasks at height.
Its main purpose is simple:
👉 Prevent a free fall or arrest it in a controlled manner.
In work at height, there are no small mistakes.
Gravity does not forgive improvisation.
How many types of lifelines are there?
From a technical and operational standpoint, there are four main types of lifelines, each designed for a specific scenario.
Let’s break them down.
- Vertical Lifelines
These are the most common systems for vertical access.
What are they?
Anchorage systems installed in a vertical direction, allowing safe ascent and descent.
Where are they used?
- Fixed ladders
- Towers
- Poles
- Silos
- Antennas
- Vertical structures
Typical components:
- Steel cable or certified rope
- Sliding fall arrester device
- Certified top anchorage
Key safety point
The device locks automatically in the event of a fall, stopping the worker within a very short distance.
They are essential for industrial maintenance and high vertical structures.
- Horizontal Lifelines
Designed for lateral movement.
What are they?
Systems installed horizontally, allowing the worker to move from one point to another without disconnecting.
Where are they used?
- Roofs
- Industrial buildings
- Overhead cranes
- Platforms
- Facades
- Steel structures
Common types:
- Temporary
- Permanent
Critical consideration
They must be properly engineered, because a poorly tensioned lifeline increases fall distance, even when using a harness and energy absorber.
This is not guesswork — it’s engineering.
- Rigid Lifelines
Less known, but extremely safe.
What are they?
Systems made of rigid rails or profiles (aluminum or steel) where a fall arrest trolley travels.
Key advantages:
- Minimal deflection
- Greater fall control
- Reduced impact forces on the body
- High durability
Where are they used?
- Overhead cranes
- Repetitive maintenance areas
- Demanding industrial environments
They are common where safety standards are non-negotiable.
- Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs)
This is another level of fall control.
What are they?
Devices that work like a car seatbelt:
the line retracts automatically and locks instantly in the event of a fall.
Where are they used?
- Leading edges
- Elevated platforms
- Vertical access points
- Tasks with free-fall risk
Advantages:
- Minimal fall distance
- Greater freedom of movement
- Reduced arrest forces
In rescue operations and critical tasks, they make a real difference.
Which Lifeline Is the Best?
This is a common — and dangerous — question.
👉 There is no single “best” lifeline.
There is only the right lifeline for the job.
The correct choice depends on:
- Type of structure
- Working height
- Frequency of use
- Free-fall risk
- Rescue requirements
- Applicable regulations
A common mistake is adapting the job to the lifeline, when it should be the other way around.
Serious Mistakes When Using Lifelines
After years in the field, these are the most repeated errors:
- Using uncertified lifelines
- Ignoring pendulum effect
- Improvised anchorage points
- No rescue plan
- Failing to inspect the system before use
At height, design errors turn into injuries.
What Standards Regulate Lifelines?
While regulations vary by country, they all agree on the essentials:
- System certification
- Minimum anchorage strength
- Mandatory full-body harness use
- Equipment compatibility
- Periodic inspection
Compliance is not paperwork — it’s survival.
Final Thoughts: Understanding Lifelines Saves Lives
Now you know that there is not just one type of lifeline, but several systems designed for different risks.
Understanding this difference doesn’t make you more technical.
It makes you safer.
In work at height:
- The harness supports you
- The anchorage protects you
- But the lifeline determines whether you go home
Experience is not shown by working fast,
it is shown by working correctly.
If you want, the next article can go deeper into:
- Differences between temporary and permanent lifelines
- How to choose a lifeline based on the task
- Common mistakes with horizontal lifelines
- Lifelines and rescue in confined spaces