Lanyard Types: Choosing a Fall Protection Lanyard in Canada

An energy absorber tears open in a fall to slow the worker down and limit the force on the body. CSA Z259.11 sets two classes:

• E4: for lighter users (the label gives the weight range, roughly 45–115 kg / 100–254 lb).
• E6: for heavier users (roughly 90–175 kg / 200–386 lb).

Weight includes clothing and tools. Pick the class whose range covers the worker, and check the deployment length on the label: you need it for clearance.

A lanyard only works if the worker stops before hitting anything. Required clearance below the anchor adds up:

1. the free fall (set by lanyard length and anchor height);
2. the absorber's deployment (on the label);
3. harness stretch and D-ring shift;
4. the worker's height below the D-ring;
5. a safety margin.

On many low-clearance jobs a lanyard needs more room than there is. A self-retracting lifeline locks almost immediately and needs far less. Keep the anchor at or above the D-ring wherever you can.

This guide is general information to help you choose and care for equipment, not legal advice. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your exact product and your province's regulation. Guide checked October 2026.