DeWalt 6 ft Single-Leg Internal Energy-Absorbing Lanyard

A practical upgrade to my fall protection kit

On a recent rebar install, I swapped my usual shock-pack lanyard for the DeWalt lanyard with the internal energy absorber. After a week of climbing, tying off to iron, and moving around congested deck forms, I came away appreciating how a few thoughtful details can make a lanyard easier to live with day to day—without compromising on compliance.

Hardware and build quality

The first impression is rugged and tidy. The polyester webbing is 1.2 inches wide and rated to a minimum static strength of 6,000 lbs. The stitching is clean, with high-contrast thread that makes it easy to spot cuts or abrasion during inspections. Connectors are zinc-plated steel: a standard snap hook for the harness end and a rebar hook for the anchorage end. Both are rated to 3,600 lbs gate strength per ANSI requirements.

The rebar hook is the star of the hardware. It’s big enough to get around scaffold tubes, angle iron, and rebar assemblies, and the gate has a positive, deliberate action that’s easy to manipulate with gloves. On the harness side, the snap hook rotates freely enough to prevent annoying twists at the D‑ring. Across a week of use, the plating shrugged off concrete dust and light moisture with no sign of flash rust.

Internal absorber: less bulk where it counts

I’ve used plenty of external shock-pack lanyards over the years. They work, but that hockey-puck pack can catch on edges and constantly bangs around your hip. Here, the energy absorber is integrated into the webbing itself, so the whole assembly lies flatter against your body. In practice, that meant fewer snag points when ducking under bracing or stepping through rebar mats.

It’s still a 6 ft single-leg lanyard, and with the rebar hook the total weight lands around 3.57 lbs. That’s not featherweight, but the weight distribution is better than bulkier shock packs. I noticed less swinging mass at my side, which translates to fewer bumps and less fatigue over a long day.

Workflow on site

Clipping into anchors with the rebar hook was straightforward, even in awkward positions. The gate tolerances feel tight and reliable—no sponginess or grit after exposure to dust. I liked that the harness-end snap hook doesn’t fight you when you rotate it into position at the dorsal D‑ring.

A couple of practical notes from the field:
- The 6 ft length is helpful for mobility, but you need to manage slack. I used the lanyard keepers on my harness to stow slack when transitioning or climbing a ladder. If your harness doesn’t have keepers, consider adding aftermarket keepers to reduce trip hazards.
- The rebar hook’s size makes it great on large anchorages, but it’s overkill on compact eyebolts. In those cases, I preferred to clip to beam clamps or larger structural members.

Energy absorption and clearance

I didn’t have to put the absorber to the test—and I’d like to keep it that way—but the unit is certified to ANSI Z359.13-2013 and aligns with OSHA 1910.140 and 1926.502. Those standards govern arresting forces and overall performance, so you’re not guessing whether it’s up to the job.

What I can comment on are the thoughtful safety cues. The integrated impact indicator is visible and unambiguous: if it deploys, you’ll know to remove the lanyard from service immediately. That’s good for multi-crew sites where gear sometimes gets passed between users. As always, verify your fall clearance before use—6 ft lanyards demand adequate distance below the work surface. If you routinely work with minimal clearance, a SRL might be more appropriate.

Inspection and asset management

This is where the DeWalt touches shine. The protected label pack stays legible after run-ins with concrete slurry and general abrasion. I didn’t baby it, and the labels were still readable at the end of the week. There’s also a QR code and RFID tag tucked into the system. I registered the lanyard in our inspection app in under a minute and set recurring reminders for monthly checks.

On larger crews or job sites with strict equipment controls, that scannability is a big win. It reduces paperwork friction and cuts the time I spend on pre-use checks. For smaller shops, it’s still valuable: a quick scan logs your inspection and maintains a traceable history, which is handy during audits.

Durability notes

Polyester is a sensible choice here—good resistance to UV and general site grime. After dragging it across deck forms and brushing against rebar ties, I saw minor cosmetic scuffing but no frayed edges or lifted stitching. The zinc-plated hardware resists corrosion in typical jobsite conditions. As with any lanyard, avoid exposure to sharp edges and hot work; there’s no specialized edge or high-heat rating indicated, so set anchors and routes accordingly.

The protected label pack did its job. I’ve had labels on other lanyards go blank after a week of concrete finishing; this one stayed intact.

Comfort and handling

The internal absorber keeps the profile slim, which made a noticeable difference moving through congested work. The trade-off is the rebar hook’s mass; you feel it, but because the lanyard lies flatter, it doesn’t pendulum into your thigh as much as a bulky shock pack would. The webbing has a pliable hand without feeling flimsy, and it coils neatly when stowed on lanyard keepers.

Compliance and warranty

The lanyard is listed to ANSI Z359.13-2013 and references Z359.3-2019 where applicable, and it meets OSHA 1910.140 and 1926.502. That’s the baseline I expect for general construction and industrial tasks. There’s a 2‑year limited warranty, which is useful, though remember service life is dictated by inspection results and exposure, not the calendar alone.

Limitations and considerations

No product is universal, and a few boundaries are worth calling out:
- Single-leg configuration. If you need 100% tie-off, you’ll want a twin-leg variant or pair this with alternate solutions for transitions.
- No tie-back rating is specified. Don’t choke this lanyard around a structure unless the manufacturer explicitly approves it.
- Clearance needs. Like any 6 ft energy-absorbing lanyard, make sure you have the vertical clearance required by your fall protection plan.
- Specialized environments. There’s no arc-flash, high-heat, or chemical-resistant spec listed. Choose gear specifically rated for those hazards if needed.

None of these are flaws; they’re simply about matching the tool to the task.

Who it’s for

• Ironworkers, form carpenters, and scaffold crews who regularly clip to large anchorages will appreciate the rebar hook and slim profile.
• Safety managers and site supervisors who track PPE will like the QR/RFID integration and long-lasting labels.
• General construction trades needing a compliant, straightforward 6 ft energy-absorbing lanyard with clear inspection cues.

If you frequently work in tight, low-clearance environments, consider supplementing with a self-retracting lifeline. If you need uninterrupted tie-off during transitions, a twin-leg setup may be more appropriate.

The bottom line

After putting the DeWalt lanyard through typical jobsite abuse, I’m confident in its build, compliance, and day-to-day usability. The internal absorber cuts bulk without sacrificing robustness, the connectors inspire confidence, and the inspection/asset management features reduce friction in the real workflows that keep crews safe and compliant.

Recommendation: I recommend this lanyard for crews that need a durable, compliant 6 ft single-leg option with a large rebar hook and modern inspection features. It’s not the lightest rig you can buy, but the slimmer profile, solid hardware, and thoughtful labeling/ID touches make it a reliable, easy-to-manage choice for most general construction and industrial applications.