FallTech 8388 Hinged Trailing Rope Grab with Anti-Panic and 3 ft ViewPack Lanyard (ANSI or CSA)
The FallTech 8388 is a hinged trailing fall arrester (rope grab) that travels with the user along a 5/8 in vertical lifeline and locks onto the rope in a fall. It includes an anti-panic function that resists a locked-open grab if the user clutches it in a fall, plus an integrated 3 ft ViewPack energy-absorbing lanyard to limit arrest forces.
The hinged body installs and removes anywhere along the lifeline without threading the end. Choose your certification at checkout: ANSI Z359.15 for US jobsites or CSA Z259.2.5-2017 for Canada. Use with a compatible 5/8 in vertical lifeline, a certified full-body harness, and a rated overhead anchorage.
Who Needs This Product
This product is a fall arrester (rope grab), the moving component of a vertical fall-arrest system. It travels up and down a vertical lifeline with the worker and locks onto the rope if a fall starts. The anti-panic feature and built-in energy-absorbing lanyard add protection for climbers and roofers. You still need a compatible 5/8 in vertical lifeline, a certified full-body harness, and a rated anchorage.
Features
Hinged trailing design
Opens to install or remove anywhere along the lifeline, and follows the user hands-free.
Anti-panic function
Resists a locked-open condition if the user grabs the device during a fall.
Integrated 3 ft ViewPack lanyard
A built-in energy-absorbing lanyard with inspection window limits arrest forces.
5/8 in rope compatible
Works with FallTech 5/8 in single-anchor vertical lifelines.
Steel construction
Durable steel body for repeated daily use.
ANSI and CSA certified
Select ANSI Z359.15 or CSA Z259.2.5-2017.
Match the rope and confirm clearance. This rope grab is built for FallTech 5/8 in vertical lifelines; do not use it on incompatible rope. It must be used with a certified harness and a rated overhead anchor. Verify orientation on the rope, and run the Fall Protection Calculator below to confirm clearance.
Compliance Standards
ANSI Z359.15
American National Standard for single-anchor vertical lifelines and rope grabs (model 8388).
CSA Z259.2.5-2017
Canadian standard for vertical lifelines and fall arresters (model C8388).
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502
Federal construction fall protection requirements.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.140
General industry personal fall protection requirements.
Typical Applications
How to Use the 8388 Rope Grab
Follow the FallTech instruction manual. The sequence below is an overview only.
- Inspect. Check the grab body, cam, anti-panic function, and the ViewPack lanyard and hooks before each use.
- Rig the lifeline. Anchor a compatible 5/8 in vertical lifeline to a rated overhead anchor.
- Install the grab. Open the hinged body and set it on the rope in the correct up orientation.
- Connect to the harness. Attach the lanyard snap hook to the dorsal D-ring of a certified full-body harness.
- Verify. Confirm the grab locks on a downward pull, check clearance, and run the calculator below.
Inspection and Retirement
Inspect before each use, with a documented competent-person inspection at least every 6 months. Pull the rope grab from service for any of the conditions below.
- Grab body and cam: cracks, wear, corrosion, or a cam that does not engage.
- Anti-panic function: fails to operate as described in the manual.
- ViewPack lanyard: cuts, fraying, or a deployed or torn energy absorber.
- Hooks: deformation, corrosion, or gates that fail to close and lock.
Retire the rope grab immediately after any fall-arrest event, or if any inspection point fails. Destroy retired equipment so it cannot return to service.
Fall ProtectionDistributors, LLC Free Tool · No Signup · OSHA 1926.502 Free Interactive Tool Fall Protection Calculator Pick your system. Run the math. Generate a plan. 1Pick Your SystemDetermine fall restraint vs. fall arrest based on your work surface, edge access, and clearance. 2Run the MathCalculate exact fall clearance required below the work surface for your lanyard or SRL setup. 3Generate a PlanGet a printable OSHA-compliant Fall Protection Plan structured around 29 CFR 1926.502(k).
Technical Specifications
| SKU | 8388 (ANSI) or C8388 (CSA) |
|---|---|
| Type | Hinged trailing fall arrester (rope grab) with anti-panic |
| Integrated lanyard | 3 ft ViewPack energy-absorbing lanyard |
| Rope compatibility | FallTech 5/8 in single-anchor vertical lifelines |
| Capacity | Up to 310 lb combined weight |
| Body | Steel, hinged install-anywhere design |
| Standards | ANSI Z359.15; CSA Z259.2.5-2017; OSHA 1926.502 and 1910.140 |
| Warranty | FallTech 2-year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship |
Frequently Asked Questions
FallTech 8388 Hinged Rope Grab Submittals and Documentation
8388 ANSI Instruction Manual (PDF)Use, compatibility, and inspection (ANSI Z359.15). 8388 CSA Instruction Manual (PDF)Bilingual EN/FR use and inspection (CSA Z259.2.5). 8388 ANSI Declaration of Conformity (PDF)Certification to ANSI Z359.15. 8388 CSA Declaration of Conformity (PDF)Certification to CSA Z259.2.5-2017. 8388 Spec Sheet (PDF)One-page specifications and compliance summary. 8388 Canada Catalogue Supplement (PDF)FallTech Canadian product line reference.Related CSA Certified Products
- CSA and Canada Certified fall protection. Browse the full CSA-certified selection.
- FallTech fall protection equipment. See the complete FallTech line.
Specifying Rope Grabs and Lifelines for Your Crew?
The right gear has to match the work height, the standard you work to, and the fall clearance below. Confirm your application and anchorage with us and we will walk through the kit list so the right equipment ships together.
Call 863-703-4522 to talk to a fall protection specialist.
