A self-retracting lifeline, comprising: a drum including a base to which a lifeline is operatively connected and first and second sides (152, 153) operatively connected to opposing sides of the base; a rotor including at least one receiving portion (165, 168) and operatively connected to the drum; at least one biasing member (180,181); at least one pawl (172, 176) being pivotally operatively connected to the rotor proximate the at least one receiving portion (165, 168), the at least one pawl (172, 176) having a generally rectangular base (172a, 176a), a circular portion (173, 177), and a protrusion member (174, 178), the circular portion extending outwardly from a first corner of the generally rectangular base, the protrusion member extending outwardly from a first side of the generally rectangular base proximate the circular portion, the at least one biasing member (180, 181) being positioned between the rotor and the protrusion member (174, 178) of the at least one pawl to place a biasing force upon the at least one pawl, the at least one pawl having a disengaged position and an engaged position; and a bracket member including a cavity and a stop member extending into the cavity, the cavity configured and arranged to receive the drum, the lifeline, the rotor, the at least one pawl (172, 176), and the at least one biasing member (180, 181), the drum being rotatably operatively connected to the bracket member and the at least one pawl being positioned proximate the stop member, the at least one pawl and the at least one biasing member being held in place by the first side of the base, the rotor, and the bracket member. a drum including a base to which a lifeline is operatively connected and first and second sides (152, 153) operatively connected to opposing sides of the base; a rotor including at least one receiving portion (165, 168) and operatively connected to the drum; at least one biasing member (180,181); at least one pawl (172, 176) being pivotally operatively connected to the rotor proximate the at least one receiving portion (165, 168), the at least one pawl (172, 176) having a generally rectangular base (172a, 176a), a circular portion (173, 177), and a protrusion member (174, 178), the circular portion extending outwardly from a first corner of the generally rectangular base, the protrusion member extending outwardly from a first side of the generally rectangular base proximate the circular portion, the at least one biasing member (180, 181) being positioned between the rotor and the protrusion member (174, 178) of the at least one pawl to place a biasing force upon the at least one pawl, the at least one pawl having a disengaged position and an engaged position; and a bracket member including a cavity and a stop member extending into the cavity, the cavity configured and arranged to receive the drum, the lifeline, the rotor, the at least one pawl (172, 176), and the at least one biasing member (180, 181), the drum being rotatably operatively connected to the bracket member and the at least one pawl being positioned proximate the stop member, the at least one pawl and the at least one biasing member being held in place by the first side of the base, the rotor, and the bracket member.