Fall-protection system with monitoring system

A fall-protection apparatus comprising a lifeline bearing a gated connector comprising a sensor module installed at the gated connector and configured to sense a condition of the gated connector, the sensor module comprising:

• at least one first sensor configured to detect a metal-containing item or portion thereof that is positioned within or close to an opening of the gated connector;
• and,
• at least one second, gate sensor that is configured to determine whether a gate of the gated connector is in a secured or unsecured condition;
• wherein the sensor module is configured to maintain the first sensor in a low-power-consumption state and, if a signal is received from the second, gate sensor that a change in the secured/unsecured condition of the gate has been detected, to activate the first sensor to a high-power-consumption state that is higher than the low-power-consumption state, for a selected period of time;
• wherein the sensor module is configured so that if the second, gate sensor detects that the gate is secured, and if, during the selected period of time, the first sensor has detected that the metal-containing item or a portion thereof is positioned within or close to the opening of the gated connector, the sensor module issues a signal indicating a Ready condition of the gated connector;
• and,
• wherein the first sensor comprises an RFID reader configured to detect an RFID tag installed at a D-ring of a fall-protection safety harness.