Kratos Astra Work Positioning Lanyard 2m - Kernmantle Rope with Aluminium Grip Adjuster

Kratos Astra Work Positioning Lanyard 2m

The Kratos Astra is a 2m adjustable work positioning lanyard designed for operatives who need to work hands-free at height by leaning back against the lanyard in a stable working position. The aluminium grip adjuster allows the operative to set the working length precisely before committing to the position, and to release and reposition quickly as the task moves along a structure. Kernmantle rope construction provides the combination of strength, flexibility, and abrasion resistance required for sustained contact with scaffold tubes, lattice structures, and fixed ladders.

Two details separate the Astra from generic work positioning lanyards in the same category. The abrasion-resistant thimble at each loop protects the rope termination from wear caused by metallic contact, which is the primary cause of loop failure on work positioning lanyards used regularly against steel structures. The transparent covering sleeve over the sewn terminations makes the stitching visible for pre-use inspection without removing any protective layer, directly supporting PUWER compliance at the point of daily use.

Why Choose the Kratos Astra Work Positioning Lanyard

• Aluminium grip adjuster: the adjuster slides smoothly along the kernmantle rope, allowing the operative to set their exact working distance from the structure before transferring body weight. The aluminium construction keeps the total lanyard weight down compared to steel adjuster equivalents.

• Abrasion-resistant thimble: fitted at the loops to protect the rope termination from damage caused by sustained contact with scaffold tubes, rungs, and steel edges. This is the area of a work positioning lanyard most exposed to wear in everyday use.

• Transparent covering sleeve: the sewn terminations at each end are protected by a clear sleeve that keeps the stitching visible at all times. A pre-use inspection can confirm stitch integrity without removing any protection, which is what PUWER inspection requires in practice.

• Kernmantle rope construction: the braided outer sheath protects the load-bearing core from abrasion, chemical contamination, and UV degradation. The construction provides good grip for the adjuster mechanism and maintains rope shape across the full adjustment range.

• EN 358:2018 certified: the current standard for work positioning and restraint lanyards, confirming the lanyard meets the performance and strength requirements for hands-free work positioning applications.

What's Included

One Kratos Astra 2m work positioning lanyard with aluminium grip adjuster, aluminium karabiner at one end, aluminium connector at the other end, abrasion-resistant thimbles, and transparent covering sleeve over sewn terminations.

 Specifications

Compatibility

Who Is This For?

Scaffolders, steel erectors, telecoms engineers, rope access technicians, and maintenance operatives who need to work hands-free at height by leaning against the lanyard. Also used as a restraint lanyard to prevent access to a fall hazard where the risk assessment confirms that free fall cannot occur. Specified by safety managers for regular and frequent work positioning applications on fixed structures.

Typical Applications

• Work positioning on scaffolding and lattice metallic structures where hands-free operation is required

• Fixed ladder access and mast climbing where the operative needs to stop and work at height

• Pylon and telecommunications structure maintenance requiring stable positioning

• Inclined plane work where the operative leans back against the structure

• Restraint to prevent access to a roof edge or other fall hazard within the lanyard's reach

• Double rope work positioning alongside a fall arrest device on the same harness

How to Use

1. Connect the karabiner end to the lateral D-ring of a certified full body harness or work positioning belt. Never connect to the dorsal fall arrest D-ring for work positioning.

2. Connect the hook end to the certified anchorage point on the structure. Confirm the gate is locked.

3. Set the aluminium grip adjuster to position yourself at the correct working distance from the structure. The adjuster slides along the rope in one direction under load and releases when unloaded.

4. Transfer your body weight gradually against the lanyard to confirm the position before committing to hands-free work.

5. To reposition, take your weight off the lanyard, release the adjuster, move to the new position, and reset the length before reloading.

6. Never use this lanyard as your sole fall protection where free fall is possible. Always use alongside a certified fall arrest device connected to the dorsal D-ring.

Safety and Maintenance

Before every use:

• Inspect the full rope length for cuts, abrasion, kinking, chemical contamination, and UV degradation

• Check the transparent sleeve at each termination to confirm stitching is intact and undamaged

• Verify the thimbles at both loops are in place and undamaged

• Confirm the adjuster slides freely and locks correctly under load simulation

• Check both connectors open, close, and lock without stiffness

During use:

• Never use as a fall arrest device. A work positioning lanyard will not arrest a free fall safely

• Always use alongside a fall arrest device where free fall is possible

• Never exceed the maximum 2m length between connection points

• Do not use where the anchorage is above shoulder height, as this creates a fall arrest scenario the lanyard is not rated for

After use and storage:

• Clean with mild soap and warm water if contaminated, dry naturally away from heat

• Store away from UV, chemicals, sharp objects, and heat sources

• Annual formal inspection by a competent person required under PUWER

• Withdraw from service if any stitching is damaged, rope fibres are visible, or adjuster function is compromised

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is EN 358:2018 and how does it differ from the older EN 358:1999?

 A: EN 358:2018 is the current European standard for work positioning and restraint lanyards. It replaced EN 358:1999 and introduced updated testing requirements including dynamic strength tests that better reflect real-world loading conditions. A lanyard certified to EN 358:2018 has been tested to the current standard. When specifying work positioning equipment for UK construction sites under PUWER and the Work at Height Regulations 2005, always confirm the product is certified to the current standard rather than the superseded 1999 version.

Q: What is the difference between a work positioning lanyard and a fall arrest lanyard?

 A: A work positioning lanyard is designed to support the operative's weight while they lean back against it to work hands-free. It is not designed to arrest a free fall. A fall arrest lanyard, whether an energy absorbing lanyard or a retractable fall arrester, arrests a fall from above. On any site where free fall is possible, a work positioning lanyard must always be used alongside a separate fall arrest device connected to the dorsal D-ring of the harness. Never use a work positioning lanyard as the sole form of protection where a fall from height could occur.

Q: Why does this lanyard use an aluminium grip adjuster rather than steel?

 A: Aluminium is lighter than steel, which reduces the overall weight of the lanyard during extended wear. The grip adjuster mechanism works by clamping the rope under load and releasing when the load is removed, and aluminium provides the necessary clamping force for this function at a lower weight penalty than steel. For operatives who wear a work positioning lanyard throughout a full working shift, the weight reduction across the full equipment kit is a meaningful comfort consideration.

Q: What does the transparent covering sleeve actually protect and why can I see through it?

 A: The sleeve protects the sewn terminations at each end of the lanyard where the rope is stitched to form the connection loops. These stitched sections are the termination of the rope and must be inspected before every use under PUWER requirements. The transparent sleeve protects the stitching from abrasion and contamination while keeping it visible for inspection without needing to remove any protective layer. If the sleeve were opaque, the stitching could not be checked without removing it, which would leave the termination unprotected during inspection.

Q: Can I connect this lanyard to the dorsal D-ring of my full body harness?

A: No. Work positioning lanyards connect to the lateral D-rings on a full body harness or to the attachment points of a dedicated work positioning belt certified to EN 358. The dorsal D-ring is reserved exclusively for fall arrest connections. Connecting a work positioning lanyard to the dorsal D-ring creates an incorrect loading direction on the harness and the D-ring, and positions the body incorrectly if the lanyard is loaded in a fall scenario.

Q: Does this lanyard replace the need for a fall arrest device?

 A: No. A work positioning lanyard certified to EN 358 is not a fall arrest device and must never be used as one. Where free fall is possible, a separate fall arrest device, either a retractable fall arrester or an energy absorbing lanyard, must be connected to the dorsal D-ring of the full body harness simultaneously. The work positioning lanyard keeps you in your working position. The fall arrest device catches you if that position fails.

Q: Why order from CMT Group?

 A: CMT Group has supplied height safety PPE to UK construction sites since 2010, with a fleet of over 100 FORS Silver accredited vehicles covering 90% of the UK mainland. The Kratos Astra Work Positioning Lanyard is available for next working day delivery on orders placed by 7pm. CMT is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier. Trade accounts, volume pricing, and EDGE portal access are available for safety managers and procurement teams ordering height safety equipment across multiple projects.