Fall protection compliance system and method

1. A computer-implemented method for detecting connection of a connector to a connection structure, the connection structure having a connection loop, a connection anchor, and a passive identification element laterally disposed on a crossbar between the connection loop and the connection anchor so as to spatially separate the connection loop from the connection anchor, the connector comprising a frame having an opening and a connection area configured for receiving the connection structure therein and a connection sensor assembly associated with the frame, the connection sensor assembly comprising at least one short-range wireless communication antenna configured for gathering connection data based on detecting a presence or an absence of the passive identification element on the connection structure when the connection structure is received within the connection area of the frame, the method comprising:

receiving, with a control device comprising at least one processor, the connection data gathered by the connection sensor assembly;

determining, with the control device, a connection status of the connector based on the connection data; and

performing, with the control device, at least one action based on the connection status.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein performing the at least one action includes providing at least one of a visual indication, an audio indication, and a tactile indication based on the connection status.

3. A connector for a fall protection compliance system, the connector comprising:

a frame having an opening and a connection area configured for receiving a connection structure therein, the connection structure having a connection loop, a connection anchor, and a passive identification element laterally disposed on a crossbar between the connection loop and the connection anchor so as to spatially separate the connection loop from the connection anchor; and

a connection sensor assembly associated with the frame, the connection sensor assembly comprising:

at least one short-range wireless communication antenna configured for gathering connection data based on detecting a presence or an absence of the passive identification element on the connection structure when the connection structure is received within the connection area of the frame; and

a control device comprising at least one processor programmed or configured to:

receive the connection data from the at least one short-range wireless communication antenna;

determine a connection status of the connector based on the connection data; and

perform at least one action based on the connection status.

4. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein detecting the presence of the passive identification element is indicative of a presence of an approved connection structure, and wherein detecting the absence of the passive identification element is indicative of an absence of the approved connection structure.

5. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the connection status comprises a connected status indicative of a presence of an approved connection structure, and a disconnected status indicative of an absence of the approved connection structure.

6. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one action includes providing at least one of a visual indication, an audio indication, and a tactile indication based on the connection status.

7. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the connection sensor assembly further comprises a communication interface, and wherein the at least one action includes transmitting the connection status to a remote device using the communication interface.

8. A fall protection compliance system comprising:

a connection structure having a connection loop, a connection anchor, and an identification element disposed on a deflectable element in the connection loop;

a frame having an opening and a connection area configured for receiving a connection structure therein; and

a connection sensor assembly associated with the frame, the connection sensor assembly comprising:

at least one short-range wireless communication antenna configured for gathering connection data based on detecting a presence or an absence of the identification element on the connection structure when the connection structure is received within the connection area of the frame; and

a control device comprising at least one processor programmed or configured to:

receive the connection data from the at least one short-range wireless communication antenna;

determine a connection status of the connector based on the connection data; and

perform at least one action based on the connection status.

9. The system according to claim 8 , wherein detecting the presence of the passive identification element is indicative of a presence of an approved connection structure, and wherein detecting the absence of the passive identification element is indicative of an absence of the approved connection structure.

10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one action includes providing at least one of a visual indication, an audio indication, and a tactile indication based on the connection status.

11. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the connection status comprises a connected status indicative of a presence of an approved connection structure, and a disconnected status indicative of an absence of the approved connection structure.

12. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the deflectable element is paddle-shaped.

13. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the deflectable element is configured to pivot around an axis between an undeflected, or closed position and a deflected, or open position.

14. The system according to claim 13 , wherein the deflectable element is biased into the closed position by a biasing mechanism.

15. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the deflectable element is configured to interact with a switch which is used to determine whether the connection structure is connected to the frame.