Abstract: A fall-arrest apparatus comprises a cable drum (2) and a friction brake including a rotatable brake disc (14) which is pressed against a stationary brake ring (15). In the event that the drum accelerates in the unwinding direction to a certain speed, pawls (19,20) carried by the drum (2) are centrifuged into driving engagement with the brake disc (14) to cause braking of the drum. The apparatus incorporates a fail-safe brake member (24) which is in screw-threaded engagement with a fixed part and is mechanically coupled to the rotatable brake disc (14) so that rotation of the brake disc (14) causes the fail-safe brake member to be screwed towards an operative position in which it causes progressive braking force to be applied between co-operating braking members (24,27,29).

Abstract: Safety apparatus for used by workers at height comprises a fixed safety cable (1) secured in spaced relation to a fixture (2) by supports such as (3), and a coupling device (8) by which a safety line attached to a worker's safety harness can be coupled to such cable. The coupling device comprises a rotatably mounted tube (9) having a longitudinal slot (16) and profiled ends (9'). The tube (9) is slidable along the cable (1). On abutment of a tube end (9') against an arm (5) of a support (3) the tube becomes rotated to bring the slot (16) into register with the arm (5) so that the coupling device can travel past the support (3).