Start with the working range, because the line must reach every point of the job without running out. Short webbing blocks suit work close to the anchor: the Delta Plus MINIBLOC AN102 and the Karam Mini Block are 2.50 m with a built in energy absorber, and the Karam Micron Block is a 2 m line weighing 0.86 kg. For mid ranges there is the Delta Plus MEDBLOC AN13006C2 with 6 m of 25 mm polyester webbing and Karam 25 mm webbing blocks from 2 m to 12 m in polymer or aluminium casings. For longer ranges choose steel wire rope: the Delta Plus MAXIBLOC AN100 has 4 mm galvanised steel cable in 6, 10 or 15 m, and Karam wire rope blocks run from 4 m to 20 m in aluminium casings and from 7 m to 30 m in plastic casings.
Next match the line and casing to the site. Galvanised steel wire rope suits general industrial work, and Karam offers 4.8 mm stainless steel wire rope where corrosion is a concern. The Karam Heavy Duty Sealed Retractable Block has a sealed stainless steel casing and stainless steel wire rope for offshore platforms, chemical plants and wet sites, with a 140 kg rated load and lengths of 10 m to 30 m, and the Karam 18 m textile rope block is made for offshore work, acidic areas and high temperature. Where the line can run over an edge, Karam offers a sharp edge tested 25 mm webbing block from 2 m to 6 m, and Karam lists ATEX 2014/34/EU on its steel wire rope blocks and load arresters for areas where explosive atmospheres can occur.
Then check the standard, the user weight and the indicators. The personal blocks are listed to EN 360, with Karam stating EN 360:2023, and the Karam 25 mm webbing block with a steel snap hook is also listed to IS 3521(Part 3):2021. Delta Plus lists the MAXIBLOC AN100 and MINIBLOC AN102 at 150 kg and the MEDBLOC AN13006C2 at 128 kg, tested for horizontal use to RfU PPE-R/11.060, and Karam states an arrest force below 6 kN on its 25 mm webbing blocks. Fall, load or impact indicators on many models show at a glance whether a block has arrested a fall.
For special jobs, twin blocks keep the worker connected while moving between anchor points: the Karam Twin Retractable Block has two 2.50 m webbing lines with steel scaffold hooks, and the Karam Mikron Twin Retractable Lanyard has 1.8 m Dyneema webbing and can be mounted at foot level. Karam retrieval blocks with an inbuilt winch, in 18 m textile rope or 20 m and 30 m steel wire rope and listed to EN 1496:2017, arrest a fall and then raise the worker when mounted on a tripod or megapod bracket, which suits confined space entry. Karam load arresters are made for suspended loads such as machinery and stage equipment, and are rated 200, 300, 400, 500 and 1000 kg.