Horizontal Lifelines
Horizontal Lifelines
Overview
Formetco’s Horizontal Lifelines give crews working on billboard structures a fixed line to clip into while moving laterally across a catwalk or bulletin face, instead of tying off to a single fixed point. The system is built from four galvanized steel components — cable, thimbles, wire rope clips, and eyebolts — each sized and installed according to a specific quantity and spacing so the completed lifeline behaves as a single reliable system rather than a set of loose parts.
Steel Cable Coil
At the center of the system is 3/8” galvanized 7×19 aircraft cable (Product Code CABLE3/8AIRCRAFT). The galvanized coating protects the cable from corrosion during long-term outdoor exposure on a billboard structure. The cable is available as custom cut lengths or on 250’, 300’, and 500’ spools, giving crews the flexibility to outfit a single catwalk or stock enough cable for multiple structures from one spool. When ordering a custom length, add 5’ of extra cable to account for the termination hardware at each end.
Thimble
Each lifeline uses a 3/8” heavy duty hot galvanized wire rope thimble (Product Code CABLEHDW3/8THIMBLE), with two required per system — one at each end of the cable. The thimble sits inside the loop formed at the termination, giving the loop a consistent shape so the wire rope clips can be seated correctly against it.
Wire Rope Clip
Six heavy duty hot galvanized drop forged wire rope clips (Product Code CABLEHDW3/8CLIP) are required per lifeline system — three at each termination. Installation specifics matter here: clips should be torqued to 45 lbf. ft. and spaced 4 inches apart. Following that torque and spacing at every termination is what keeps the clip pattern doing its job consistently across the whole system.
Eyebolt
The system anchors to the structure with a ¾” x 2-1/2” hot galvanized drop forged shoulder eyebolt, supplied with two nuts and one lock washer (Product Code CABLEHDW3/4X2.5EYEBOLT). Two eyebolts are required per lifeline system, one at each end, giving the cable its fixed anchor points along the structure.
Why a Horizontal Lifeline System
A horizontal lifeline lets a worker connect once and then move continuously along the length of the structure, rather than having to disconnect and reconnect at a series of separate fixed anchors. For crews posting or servicing a bulletin, that continuous connection along the catwalk or walkway is what makes the system practical to use for the duration of the job, instead of just at a single work location.
Installation Resources
Formetco provides documentation to support a correct installation, including a full product sheet, a dedicated Horizontal Lifeline Installation Guide, and a Wire Rope Clip Installation Guide covering proper clip spacing and torque. Because the finished lifeline depends on getting the quantities, spacing, and torque right at both terminations, these guides are worth reviewing alongside the parts list before installation begins.
Pair your horizontal lifeline with compatible gear such as a nonconductive harness and climber package, or contact Formetco to talk through hardware for your specific structure.
Related Products
Browse the full Horizontal Lifelines lineup for more options built to the same Formetco durability standard. As with any fall-protection gear, follow OSHA fall protection guidance for proper use and inspection.
The Horizontal Lifelines is backed by Formetco’s manufacturing expertise. See the related products above for more options alongside the Horizontal Lifelines.
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