Abstract: A safety line for use in industrial and other construction is combined with a take-up reel and braking device. The mechanism is maintained in a housing attached to harness device worn by the worker, with the line being attached to a suitable structural component. When the line is paid out slowly, the take-up mechanism serves to keep the slack line from interfering with normal operations; if the line is paid out rapidly, as when the worker falls, the braking device serves to snub the line before the worker can fall far enough to incur injury. A locking device prevents line movement, if desired.