DeWalt 6 Ft. Lanyard, Single, External Absorber, with Aluminum Snap Hooks on D-Ring End and Aluminum Rebar Hook on Anchor End

Why I picked this lanyard

On busy steel days or when I’m hopping scaffold bays, I want a tie-off that’s dependable, quick to place, and not a boat anchor on my hips. That’s why I put DeWalt’s 6-foot single-leg lanyard on my harness for a few weeks across structural, formwork, and general GC tasks. In short, it strikes a thoughtful balance: lighter than steel-connector options, straightforward to handle with gloved hands, and set up with an external energy absorber that doesn’t feel like a brick hanging off my back.

I’ll refer to it simply as the DeWalt lanyard here.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the bag, the build looks clean: 1.2-inch polyester webbing, tidy stitching, and aluminum connectors on both ends—snap hook at the harness D-ring, rebar hook at the anchor point. The absorber is external and compact, so there’s no overly bulky sleeve or mystery pouch. Weight is listed at about 2.9 pounds, and that lined up with how it felt: noticeably lighter than steel-hook lanyards I’ve been issued, but not “featherweight.” The overall package is 6 feet, so it fits the standard one-span reach most crews expect.

The protected label pack is immediately visible and easy to read, which matters on jobsites that are strict about inspection documentation. There’s also a QR code and RFID tag. I scanned the QR with my phone and tied it to my inspection log—handy for tracking in a fleet or for crews that need audit-ready records.

Connectors and handling

The aluminum snap hook at the D-ring end is exactly what you want there: compact, easy to index behind you by touch, and it clips into a dorsal D-ring without a fight. The gate action on both connectors is positive and smooth, with the kind of spring tension that pushes back enough to feel secure without requiring a grip contest when you’re wearing winter gloves. Both connectors carry an ANSI 3,600 lb gate rating, which is the standard you should expect for modern, self-locking hardware.

The rebar hook is the workhorse. Its large, aluminum frame lets me clip to scaffold posts, beam flanges, and pre-installed anchor points without hunting for tiny fixed eyes. The hook profile seats nicely on structural shapes, and the nose geometry makes it less finicky when you’re reaching high and trying to land the connection by feel. There’s no integrated swivel in the system, so you still need to manage twists in the webbing, but I didn’t run into tangling that slowed me down.

Energy absorber and fall-arrest considerations

The energy absorber is external and compact, which pays off in two ways. First, it reduces bulk around your lower back—less bumping into the harness hardware and fewer snags when threading through tight framing or scaffold. Second, because it’s exposed, it’s easy to inspect. You can see if the cover has been scuffed, if stitching has been compromised, and whether anything looks out of place.

I didn’t need to put the absorber to the test—nobody wants to—but the unit is marked to ANSI Z359.13-2013 and OSHA 1910.140/1926.502. Those are the right boxes for most construction sites and industrial facilities. If your safety program calls for the latest ANSI revision, confirm acceptance; this one is labeled to the 2013 edition, which many sites still recognize.

One note that applies to any 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard: your total fall clearance requirements will be more than the lanyard’s length, because you’ll add deceleration and body length. That’s not unique to this model, but it’s worth stating for folks transitioning from an SRL or working near lower levels. Plan for the clearance your job dictates.

Comfort, balance, and mobility

At 2.9 pounds with aluminum connectors, this lanyard rides well for a single-leg unit. The webbing is supple enough to lie flat without developing hard kinks; I found it stayed manageable even on cold mornings when some polyester gets board-stiff. The compact absorber means less bulk behind the D-ring, and the rebar hook didn’t swing like a pendulum when I clipped it to a side tool ring between moves.

Clipping and unclipping with gloves is easy. The gates have a good landing feel—you know when you’re fully seated. I also appreciated that the snap hook at the harness end didn’t crowd the D-ring or clash with chest strap hardware.

Durability and inspection

Polyester webbing is a good all-around choice for abrasion resistance and general weather exposure, and it held up well under concrete splatter, dusty steel, and mud. I rinsed it at the end of a messy day; once dry, the webbing stayed pliable and the labels remained legible. The protected label pack deserves mention: the cover kept grit off the documentation, and I didn’t have to fish around to find it during daily checks.

From a strength standpoint, the lanyard lists a 6,000 lb minimum tensile/static strength, which aligns with industry expectations for this category. The hardware and stitching looked consistent with that pedigree. As always, retire the unit if the absorber deploys or if any inspection flags pop—no tool is worth guessing.

The QR/RFID identification is more than a gimmick. On a multi-crew project, we were able to tie the unit into a digital log, so annual and pre-use inspections were documented without clipboards. If you’re managing a fleet, that’s real value.

Compliance and jobsite fit

The tool is marked to OSHA 1910.140 and 1926.502, covering general industry and construction fall protection requirements, and ANSI Z359.13-2013. The connectors’ 3,600 lb gate strength meets the expected connector standard references. For most jobsite safety plans, that checks the necessary boxes. As with any fall protection, pair it with an appropriate full-body harness, anchor points rated for fall arrest, and training. If your work involves leading-edge hazards or you need a Class 2 lanyard with special properties, verify that your hazard profile matches what a standard shock-absorbing lanyard is intended to do.

Limitations and wish list

• It’s single-leg. That’s by design, but if you’re traversing and need 100% tie-off, you’ll want the twin-leg version. The line offers twin-leg configurations, so there’s a path if that’s your workflow.
• Polyester isn’t the right choice for hot work. If you’re welding or around sustained sparks and heat, look for a high-heat lanyard with aramid or a specific heat-rated solution.
• No swivel. I had no major twisting issues, but a swivel link at the harness end would make it even more forgiving when working around deck penetrations or bracing where the webbing gets wound up.
• Standard ANSI edition. It’s labeled to ANSI Z359.13-2013. Some safety programs now specify newer editions, so confirm acceptance with your safety manager.

None of these are deal-breakers for typical construction tie-off; they’re just items to match to your environment.

Who it’s for

• Trades working structural steel, concrete formwork, or scaffold where a large rebar hook is a must.
• Crews that value lighter connectors without giving up durability—aluminum here keeps fatigue down over long days.
• Safety managers who want easier inspections and asset tracking via QR/RFID.
• Users who prefer the predictable reach of a 6-foot lanyard and don’t need constant 100% tie-off from a twin-leg.

If you’re constantly moving in tight corridors or overhead obstructions, consider whether an SRL might be a better fit; but for straightforward tie-offs with regular repositioning, this lanyard hits the mark.

The bottom line

After weeks of real jobsite use, the DeWalt lanyard earned a spot on my harness. It’s comfortable, confidence-inspiring, and practical: aluminum connectors that don’t drag you down, a rebar hook that actually fits the things we tie to, and an external energy absorber that reduces bulk while making inspections simple. The protected label pack and QR/RFID tagging add meaningful value for anyone serious about compliance and recordkeeping.

Would I recommend it? Yes. I recommend this lanyard to tradespeople and safety managers who want a compliant, well-built, and manageable single-leg solution with clean inspection features. It’s not a specialty hot-work tool, and it’s not a twin-leg—so pick the right configuration for your task—but as a general-purpose, 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard for construction and industrial settings, it’s a solid, thoughtfully executed choice.