What is a safety rope?

A safety rope is a secondary securing device made of galvanized steel wire rope, designed to prevent suspended event equipment from falling if the primary mounting fails. Under DGUV Vorschrift 17 (formerly BGV C1), all movable lighting, audio and rigging equipment in event venues must be secured by two independent devices: the primary mounting (such as a coupler or clamp) and a secondary safety rope. The rope is dimensioned to absorb the dynamic impulse forces that occur when a falling object is arrested, and must be attached so that the maximum fall distance does not exceed 20 cm (or 5 cm for moving lamp hangers).

What is a catch rope?

A catch rope is another term for a safety rope or secondary securing device used in event and stage rigging. The name "catch rope" emphasizes the rope's function: to catch and hold equipment if the primary mounting fails. Catch ropes are constructed from galvanized steel wire rope (6 × 19 strand, 1770 N/mm² tensile strength per DIN EN 12385-4) with pressed thimbles at both ends to accept quick connectors, shackles or carabiners. The terms "safety rope," "catch rope" and "secondary securing device" are used interchangeably in professional rigging practice.

What cable diameter do I need for my equipment weight?

The correct cable diameter depends on the weight of your equipment and the length of the safety rope you intend to use. DGUV Information 215-313 provides a dimensioning table: for example, a 3 mm rope (60 cm length) is rated for up to 5 kg, while a 4 mm rope (60 cm) handles up to 10 kg. A 6 mm rope (100 cm length) can secure equipment weighing up to 36 kg. Always select the smallest diameter whose capacity exceeds your equipment weight, and verify that the quick connector or shackle matches the cable diameter specified in the table. If in doubt, choose the next larger diameter for an additional safety margin.

Why can't I use plastic-coated cables for safety ropes?

Plastic-coated cables are prohibited for secondary securing in event rigging because high temperatures – from lamp housings, pyrotechnics or fire – can cause the plastic coating to soften, melt or degrade, rendering the safety device ineffective. Additionally, plastic coatings can trap moisture and hide corrosion underneath, making it impossible to visually inspect the wire rope for damage. DGUV Vorschrift 17 and DIN EN 12385-4 require uncoated galvanized steel wire rope for safety ropes, ensuring that the rope remains reliable across a wide temperature range and can be inspected for wear, broken strands or corrosion at any time.

How should safety ropes be attached correctly?

Safety ropes must be attached to load-bearing structural points on both the equipment and the support structure, using connectors (quick connectors per DIN 56927, screw-gate carabiners or shackles) that match the cable diameter specified in the DGUV table. On the equipment side, use the dedicated safety eyelet or mounting point specified by the manufacturer – never handles, cable glands or decorative parts. On the support side, attach to the truss chord, a certified rigging point or a shackle – never to the primary mounting itself. Route the rope to minimize fall distance: the equipment must not drop more than 20 cm (or 5 cm for moving lamp hangers) before the rope becomes taut.

What is the maximum fall height for safety ropes?

Under DGUV Vorschrift 17, the maximum fall height for equipment secured by a safety rope is 20 cm. This limit ensures that the dynamic impulse forces generated when the rope arrests a falling object remain within the design capacity of the rope, connectors and attachment points. For equipment mounted on moving lamp hangers, pantographs or other articulated supports, the fall height must not exceed 5 cm to protect the hanger mechanism from excessive shock loads. Always route the safety rope to minimize slack and ensure that the fall distance stays well below these limits.

How often should safety ropes be inspected?

Safety ropes must be visually inspected before every use in touring and temporary installations, and at regular intervals (quarterly or biannually) in permanent installations. Inspect the wire rope for broken strands, kinks, corrosion, abrasion or deformation. Check thimbles for crushing or distortion, and connectors for cracks, wear or damage to the locking mechanism. Any safety rope that has been shock-loaded – even once – or shows visible signs of damage must be retired immediately and replaced. Maintain a log of inspections and replacements to demonstrate compliance during safety audits and to track the service life of each rope.

Which safety rope should I buy for a 15 kg moving head?

For a 15 kg moving head, you need a 5 mm safety rope if you use a 60 cm length (rated for up to 15 kg), or a 4 mm rope if you use a 100 cm length (rated for up to 16 kg). The 5 mm / 60 cm variant is the recommended choice because it provides an exact match for your equipment weight and minimizes fall distance when the fixture is mounted close to the truss. Ensure that the quick connector or shackle is sized to match the cable diameter (5 mm connector for a 5 mm rope) and that both the equipment eyelet and the truss attachment point can accommodate the connector. Riggatec® safety ropes are available in both galvanized and black finishes to suit your aesthetic and technical requirements.

Safety ropes

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Riggatec Sicherungsseil, Safety 60cm x 3 mm bis 5 kg

Riggatec Safety Rope, Safety 60 cm x 3 mm, up to 5 kg

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Riggatec Sicherungsseil, Safety 60cm x 4 mm bis 10 kg

Riggatec Safety Rope, Safety 60 cm x 4 mm, up to 10 kg

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Riggatec Sicherungsseil, Safety 60cm x 5 mm bis 15 kg

Riggatec Safety Rope, Safety 60 cm x 5 mm, up to 15 kg

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Riggatec Sicherungsseil, Safety 60cm x 3 mm bis 5 kg, schwarz

Riggatec Safety Rope, Safety 60 cm x 3 mm, up to 5 kg, black

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Riggatec Sicherungsseil, Safety 60cm x 4 mm bis 10 kg schwarz

Riggatec Safety Rope, Safety 60 cm x 4 mm, up to 10 kg, black

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Safety 0,30 m, Dia: 2mm

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Riggatec Sicherungsseil, Safety 100cm x 5 mm bis 25 kg

Riggatec Safety Rope, Safety 100 cm x 5 mm, up to 25 kg

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SAVEKING Safety Bond 3x1000 black

SAVEKING is a newly developed safety bond with integrated fall brake. This drop damping reduces the mechanic impact while falling. Due to the loop, the fixation point and the device are less...

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EUROLITE Stahlseil 1000x6mm schwarz mit Kausche

EUROLITE Steel Rope 1000x6mm black with Thimbles

EUROLITE Lifting ropes, safety bonds The EUROLITE lifting ropes, safety bonds comply with the current regulation of the German professional insurance association as summed up in BGI 810-3:2007-03...

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Adam Hall Accessories S 42100 Sicherungsseil 4 mm, 1 m lang

Adam Hall Accessories S 42100 - Safety Rope 4 mm length 1 m

Safety Rope 4 mm length 1 m Adam Hall safety cables - clearly comply with legal regulations 6 x 19 + fibre core • Eyelet at both ends • ATTENTION: Screw link S93061 has to be ordered...

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Adam Hall Accessories S 45062 B Sicherungsseil 4 mm mit Schraubglied, 0,6

Adam Hall Accessories S 45062 B - Câble d'acier 4 mm with Screw Link, 0.6 m, Black

Câble d'acier 4 mm with Screw Link, 0.6 m, Black 6 x 19 + fibre core • Eyelet at both ends • One end with unlosable chain link (black galvanised, 6 mm thick) 0.60 m. • Up to 20...

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Adam Hall Accessories S 45100 Sicherungsseil 4 mm mit Schraubglied, 1 m

Adam Hall Accessories S 45100 - Safety Rope 4 mm with Screw Link, 1m

Safety Rope 4 mm with Screw Link, 1m Adam Hall safety cables - clearly comply with legal regulations 6 x 19 + fibre core • Eyelet at both ends • One end with unlosable carabiner (90 x 9,...

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Adam Hall Accessories S 53102 B Sicherungsseil 5 mm mit Kettbiner 1 m lang

Adam Hall Accessories S 53102 B Safety Rope 5 mm with Screw Gate

Adam Hall safety cables - clearly comply with legal regulations 6 x 19 + fibre core • Eyelet at both ends • One end with unlosable Kettbiner (black galvanised, 90 x 8 mm) • Stamped...

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Adam Hall Accessories S 55100 SK Sicherungsseil 5 mm mit Fallbremse und Ke

Adam Hall Accessories S 55100 SK Safety Rope 5 mm with Fall Brake and

SAVEKINGS Shock-Absorbing Safety Rope Germany's only safety rope with an inspection certificate according to the Regulations of the German Employers Liability Insurance Association (BGV) Safety...

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Adam Hall Accessories S 63100 Sicherungsseil 6 mm mit Kettbiner 1 m lang

Adam Hall Accessories S 63100 Safety Rope 6 mm with Screw Gate Carabiner

Adam Hall safety cables - clearly comply with legal regulations 6 x 19 + fibre core • Eyelet at both ends • One end with unlosable Kettbiner (90 x 8, with screw connection)...

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Adam Hall Accessories S 80500 Sicherungsseil 8 mm, 5 m lang für S80VS Drah

Adam Hall Accessories S 80500 - Safety Rope 8 mm length 5 m for S80VS Wire Clip for Ropes 6 - 8 mm

Safety Rope 8 mm length 5 m for S80VS Wire Clip for Ropes 6 - 8 mm Wire cable suitable for cable holders of types DSH 50S (5 mm) 80VS (8 mm). The cut end of the cable is tin-plated to ensure cable...

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Adam Hall Accessories S 82100 Sicherungsseil 8 mm, 1 m lang

Adam Hall Accessories S 82100 - Safety Rope 8 mm length 1 m

Safety Rope 8 mm length 1 m Adam Hall safety cables - clearly comply with legal regulations 6 x 19 + fibre core • Eyelet at both ends • Stamped: BGV C1 I.W 8 mm 295 kg • Up to 100 kg...

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Safety Ropes and Catch Ropes – Professional Stage Safety: Safety ropes and catch ropes are indispensable components of professional event safety. These secondary securing devices protect people and equipment from falling objects in theatres, clubs, trade shows and live events. At LTT, you will find high-quality safety ropes from Riggatec® and other trusted manufacturers – engineered to meet DGUV Vorschrift 17 (formerly BGV C1) and... Read more »

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