Kratos Gravity-S Energy Absorbing Expandable Lanyard 2m - Internal Absorber and Sharp Edge

Kratos Gravity-S Energy Absorbing Expandable Lanyard 2m

The Kratos Gravity-S is a premium 2m expandable energy absorbing lanyard designed for construction operatives, steel erectors, scaffolders, and roofers working in environments where a standard fixed-length lanyard creates snag and trip hazard risks. The 44mm expandable webbing stows to a relaxed length of 1.4m and extends to the full 2m only when needed, reducing the trailing length by 600mm compared to a fixed lanyard and keeping the operative free from the entanglement risk of a constantly dangling 2m lanyard during normal movement.

Two specifications set this lanyard apart from most expandable equivalents on the UK market. The energy absorber is integrated internally into the expandable webbing rather than housed in a separate external pouch, producing a cleaner, more compact design with no additional component to catch on edges or structures. The lanyard is also approved for use near sharp edges down to a 0.50mm radius, which is confirmed by the Kratos technical data sheet and makes it suitable for structural steelwork and roofing applications where metal edges are present throughout the working day.

Why Choose the Kratos Gravity-S Energy Absorbing Expandable Lanyard

• Internal energy absorber: absorbed into the expandable webbing structure rather than a separate tear-out pouch. The result is a cleaner profile with no protruding absorber pack to snag on scaffold tubes, steel edges, or structural connections during movement. This is the primary design advantage of the Gravity-S over standard expandable lanyards with external absorbers.

• Sharp edge approved to 0.50mm: most expandable lanyards are not certified for use near sharp edges. The Gravity-S has been specifically tested and approved for work near edges down to a 0.50mm radius. For structural steel erectors, roofers, and facade workers where metal edges are unavoidable, this approval is the specification that makes this lanyard the correct choice.

• Expandable 44mm webbing: the expandable design reduces trailing lanyard length to 1.4m during normal movement, cutting snag risk significantly. On a busy scaffold or steel structure where trailing lanyards create entanglement hazards, the compact stowed length is a meaningful operational safety advantage.

• 140kg maximum user weight: applies to the complete user including clothing, tools, and equipment. Rated to a higher capacity than most standard EN 355 lanyards, which is why this is classified in the Kratos Premium range.

• Fall indicator label: the visual NOT OK indicator confirms at a glance whether the absorber has deployed. If NOT OK is visible, the lanyard must be replaced before use. No ambiguity, no misread condition.

• VG11 tested assembly: the complete lanyard including connectors is tested together as a system, confirming real-world performance of the entire assembly rather than components in isolation.

What's Included

One Kratos Gravity-S 2m expandable energy absorbing lanyard with aluminium screw-locking karabiner FA 50 105 22B at the harness end, aluminium scaffold hook FA 50 218 60 at the anchorage end, internal energy absorber, and fall indicator label. 

 Specifications

Compatibility

Who Is This For?

Structural steel erectors, scaffolders, roofers, facade workers, and construction operatives working in environments where a fixed-length lanyard creates snag, trip, or entanglement risks during normal movement. The sharp edge approval makes it the correct specification for steelwork and roofing applications where metal edges are present throughout the task. Specified by safety managers who need a premium-rated expandable lanyard that covers both high-movement applications and environments where standard lanyards cannot be used near edges.

Typical Applications

• Structural steelwork installation and inspection where metal edges are present throughout the task

• Scaffolding erection and dismantling where a compact stowed length reduces entanglement risk

• Roofing installation and maintenance where the lanyard contacts roof sheet edges and fixings

• Facade and cladding work where metal cladding edges are present during normal movement

• Construction work on elevated slabs and structural frames requiring freedom of movement

• Any application where a standard fixed-length 2m lanyard creates snag or trip hazard

How to choose?

Whatever type of lanyard or energy absorber, the performances are identical, so it is above all a personal choice, but it must be based on the intensity of use.

When choosing the product it is necessary to take into account the importance of connectors.

VG11 Tested: Why It Matters

EN 355 certification tests lanyard components individually. VG11 goes further by testing the complete assembly, webbing, energy absorber, and connectors together, exactly as the lanyard is used in practice. This confirms that no single element will fail under load before the energy absorber deploys.

For forked lanyards, VG11 includes a specific three-point test requiring a minimum breaking strength above 9kN at all three ends simultaneously. That is the test that matters when both legs are loaded during an anchor transfer.

How to Use

1. Check the fall indicator label before every use. NOT OK visible means the absorber has deployed. Replace before use.

2. Inspect the full expandable webbing for cuts, abrasion, chemical contamination, and deformation. Check both connectors.

3. Connect the aluminium karabiner to the dorsal D-ring of a certified full body harness. Lock the screw sleeve fully.

4. Connect the aluminium scaffold hook to the certified anchorage point. Confirm the gate is locked.

5. The lanyard stows at 1.4m during normal movement and extends to 2m under load. Do not pull the lanyard to its full extended length manually as this does not indicate a problem.

6. Confirm adequate clearance below your feet before starting work. The total clearance required includes the expanded lanyard length, absorber deployment distance, user height, and a safety margin.

7. After any fall arrest event, withdraw the lanyard immediately. The NOT OK indicator will confirm deployment. Do not return to service without replacement.

Safety and Maintenance

Before every use:

• Fall indicator label: NOT OK means immediate withdrawal and replacement

• Inspect the full webbing length for cuts, abrasion, and chemical contamination

• Confirm the absorber is intact and has not partially deployed

• Check both connectors open, close, and lock correctly

During use:

• Always connect to the dorsal D-ring of a certified full body harness

• Never use as a work positioning device

• Confirm sufficient clearance below before every change of working position

• Never connect both ends to the same structure

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 immediately after any fall arrest event, no exceptions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What makes an expandable lanyard better than a standard fixed-length lanyard on a busy construction site?

 A: A standard fixed-length 2m lanyard trails its full length at all times. On scaffolding, steelwork, and busy construction sites, a constantly dangling 2m lanyard creates entanglement and trip hazards throughout the working day. The Gravity-S stows to 1.4m during normal movement, reducing the trailing length by 600mm. That 600mm reduction is what eliminates the majority of snag incidents in high-movement applications. The lanyard only extends to its full 2m length when loaded, which is exactly when you need the full fall arrest distance.

Q: What does sharp edge approval mean and why does most expandable lanyards not have it?

 A: Sharp edge approval means the lanyard webbing has been tested for use in environments where it may contact a sharp metal edge during normal use or during a fall event. The Gravity-S is certified for edges down to 0.50mm radius. Most expandable lanyards use standard polyester webbing that can be cut or weakened by contact with a sharp edge during a fall, which is why they exclude this application. The Gravity-S uses a specific webbing construction tested and certified to withstand edge contact. For structural steel, roofing, and cladding work where metal edges are unavoidable, this approval is what makes it the legally correct choice.

Q: What is the difference between an internal absorber and an external absorber?

 A: A standard energy absorbing lanyard has a separate external energy absorber, usually a stitched pack or tear-out pouch, attached to the lanyard at one end. It is a distinct component that hangs visibly and adds bulk to the connection point. The Gravity-S integrates the absorber directly into the expandable webbing structure. There is no separate external pouch. The result is a more compact, cleaner profile with one fewer component to snag on edges and structures during movement. The performance is identical: fall arrest force is limited to under 6kN in both configurations.

Q: Why is the 140kg rating important for this lanyard specifically?

 A: The 140kg maximum user weight must include the operative's full bodyweight plus all clothing, tools, and equipment carried during the task. On structural steelwork and scaffolding where operatives carry significant tool loads, a 100kg rated lanyard can be inadequate for a fully equipped operative. The Gravity-S 140kg rating, which is why Kratos classifies it in the Premium range, provides the headroom needed for fully equipped site operatives across the range of body weights encountered in UK construction.

Q: What does the VG11 testing add to EN 355 certification?

A: EN 355 can test lanyard components individually. VG11 requires the complete assembly including webbing, absorber, and connectors to be tested together as a system. For a lanyard like the Gravity-S where the absorber is integrated into the webbing rather than a separate component, VG11 testing confirms that the integrated design performs as a complete system under real-world loading. This gives a higher level of confidence than component-level testing alone.

Q: Can this lanyard be used on a standard EN 355 lanyardapplication or is it only for specialist use?

 A: The Gravity-S covers all standard EN 355 fall arrest applications including scaffolding, construction, steelwork, and maintenance. The sharp edge approval and 140kg rating are additional capabilities that extend its application range beyond standard lanyards, but they do not restrict it to specialist use. It is a premium-specification lanyard suitable for all EN 355 applications plus those where standard lanyards cannot be used.

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 Gravity-S 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 managing PPE across multiple projects.