A lifeline is a fall arrest system installed in roofing that is essential for the safety of all those who, in various capacities must work at height on buildings and sheds.

Access, transit and execution of work on roofs and roofing, placed at a height of more than 2 m from a stable walking surface, must compulsorily take place in safe conditions, thanks to the proper design of preventive and protective measures related to fall protection systems.

The correct design of the lifeline is the first and fundamental step in ensuring the safety of operators working at height.

Fall protection systems are divided into classes:

• Class A includes anchor points and in turn is divided into Class A1 (structural anchor points designed to be attached to vertical, horizontal and sloping surfaces) and Class A2 (structural anchor points designed to be attached to sloping roofs);
• Class B includes temporary anchorage devices (tripods, temporary lifelines, etc.);
• Class C includes all devices on horizontal flexible anchor lines, where horizontal is defined as a line deviating from the horizon by no more than 15°;
• Class D includes systems on horizontal rigid rails;
• Class E includes dead-body anchors for use on flat roofs.

The choice of fall arrest systems, if incorrect, may be unnecessary or even increase the risk to the worker.

It is mistakenly believed that lifelines are pre-certified, but they are pre-certified in the laboratory but only in the components: it remains the responsibility of the professional to verify the existing structure and the correct installation of the anchoring system on that structure.