Lanyards and flip lines by type: what the ICoP, the codes and the standards body pages say
Lanyard is a short word for several different things in tree work: a fixed line, an adjustable work positioning line, a flip line and a tool strop. This page sets out what the UK industry code, the New South Wales and New Zealand codes, OSHA, ASSP and BSI say about each kind.
Checked against the sources at the bottom of this page on October 9, 2026. Rules, fees and pay change: the source has the last word.
This page reports what the official source says. It is not legal advice: ask the office named here. The country rules on lines and lanyards are on the guide to climbing lines and lanyards, and the standards are indexed in the standards register. This page is organised by type of lanyard. It does not describe how to use, tie or inspect one.
The words
The Industry Code of Practice for Arboriculture: Tree Work at Height (Arboricultural Association, Edition 2, May 2020) defines a lanyard as a short, adjustable system used to connect to an anchor. In clause 3.10.6.10 it says lanyards can be fixed or adjustable. The WorkSafe New Zealand code defines a safety lanyard, also called a strop or flip line, as an adjustable rope or strop designed as a work positioning aid, with all materials meeting the minimum strength of an arborist climbing line. It defines a tool strop as a short line used to secure tools while aloft. The SafeWork NSW code defines a tool lanyard or tool strop as rope or webbing that attaches the climber's tools to the harness, and says it should incorporate a tear-away. The ICoP defines work restraint as a technique where a harness and a fixed-length lanyard keep a worker from reaching areas where there is a risk of a fall.
By type
| Type | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Fixed length | ICoP 3.10.6.10: lanyards can be fixed or adjustable, and an adjustable one is preferred in the most common use because it minimises slack and so the distance and consequences of a fall. The ICoP glossary names a fixed-length lanyard in its definition of work restraint. |
| Adjustable work positioning lanyard | ICoP 3.10.6.10 lists five points. It is compatible with the connectors used. It has a means of adjustment and a suitable length. It adjusts efficiently, positively and reliably under load. It is attached to the harness to prevent torsion or cross-loading. It has a minimum breaking strength of at least 15 kN. SafeWork NSW 4.5 adds that a lanyard should have a maximum length stop built in and that the orientation of the connection hardware should not encourage twisting or roll-out. WorkSafe NZ 3.2.2 says lanyards should have an effective means to prevent the friction hitch or device slipping off the end. |
| Rope or webbing | WorkSafe NZ 3.2.5: work-positioning lanyards meet the minimum strength standards for arborist climbing lines. |
| Wire or wire core | SafeWork NSW 4.5: wire or wire core lanyards should not be used in an electrical environment. WorkSafe NZ says strops or flip lines containing metal are not used within the vegetation management zone around power lines. |
| Tool lanyard or tool strop | SafeWork NSW, in its section on chainsaws in trees: connection hardware that forms part of the lanyard should carry a load rating and be auto-locking with three consecutive actions to open. The lanyard should incorporate a weak link that lets it separate from the harness under extreme loading. WorkSafe NZ calls a tear-away chainsaw lanyard or tool strop attachment recommended practice when aloft. |
The US rule in OSHA 1910.140
The OSHA personal fall protection standard defines a lanyard as a flexible line of rope, wire rope or strap that generally has a connector at each end for connecting the body belt or harness to a deceleration device, lifeline or anchorage. Paragraph (c)(4) sets a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) for lanyards and vertical lifelines. Paragraph (c)(18) says personal fall protection systems are inspected before initial use during each workshift for mildew, wear, damage and other deterioration. Paragraph (c)(19) says ropes, belts, lanyards and harnesses are compatible with all connectors used, and (c)(20) says they are protected from being cut, abraded, melted or otherwise damaged. The ICoP figure of 15 kN and the OSHA figure of 22.2 kN come from different documents with different scope, and this page does not reconcile them.
Standards named for lanyards
| Standard | What the publisher lists |
|---|---|
| BS EN 354 | Personal fall protection equipment: lanyards. The ICoP standards list names it. |
| BS EN 358:2018 | The BSI page gives it as published December 31, 2018: belts and lanyards for work positioning or restraint. It says the standard does not cover restraint lanyards of fixed length that are not integrated into a belt, which EN 354 covers. |
| ANSI/ASSP Z359.3 | Lanyards and positioning lanyards, in the Z359 family listed on the ASSP page. |
| ANSI/ASSP Z359.13 | Energy absorbers and energy absorbing lanyards, in the same list. |
What the sources leave out
No source ranks one type of lanyard above another, and none gives a rope diameter for a lanyard.
Sources
- Arboricultural Association, Industry Code of Practice for Arboriculture: Tree Work at Height, Edition 2, May 2020, read October 9, 2026
- SafeWork NSW, Tree works code of practice, March 2026, read October 9, 2026
- WorkSafe New Zealand, Safety and health in arboriculture approved code of practice, read October 9, 2026
- OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.140 Personal fall protection systems, read October 9, 2026
- American Society of Safety Professionals, ANSI/ASSP Z359 Fall Protection and Fall Restraint Standards, read October 9, 2026
- BSI Knowledge, BS EN 358:2018 belts and lanyards for work positioning or restraint, read October 9, 2026