A fall protection safety device including a braking mechanism, comprising: a first component, a second component configured and arranged to move relative to the first component; and at least one magnet operatively connected to one of the components and another of the components being at least partially made of a non-ferromagnetic and electrically conductive material, the at least one magnet and the non-ferromagnetic and electrically conductive material creating an electromagnetic field force when the second component moves at a rate greater than a predetermined rate relative to the first component; wherein the first component is from the group consisting of a rail, a track, and a cable and the second component is a shuttle; and wherein the second component comprises: a housing configured and arranged to move along the first component; characterised in that the second component further comprises: a pawl pivotally connected to the housing and configured and arranged to move from a disengaged position into an engaged position when the housing moves along the first component at a rate greater than a predetermined rate to lock the housing onto the first component, the at least one magnet being operatively connected to the pawl such that when the housing moves at an increased rate repulsive forces between the at least one magnet and the first component assist in moving the pawl from the disengaged position into the engaged position. a first component, a second component configured and arranged to move relative to the first component; and at least one magnet operatively connected to one of the components and another of the components being at least partially made of a non-ferromagnetic and electrically conductive material, the at least one magnet and the non-ferromagnetic and electrically conductive material creating an electromagnetic field force when the second component moves at a rate greater than a predetermined rate relative to the first component; wherein the first component is from the group consisting of a rail, a track, and a cable and the second component is a shuttle; and wherein the second component comprises: a housing configured and arranged to move along the first component; characterised in that the second component further comprises: a pawl pivotally connected to the housing and configured and arranged to move from a disengaged position into an engaged position when the housing moves along the first component at a rate greater than a predetermined rate to lock the housing onto the first component, the at least one magnet being operatively connected to the pawl such that when the housing moves at an increased rate repulsive forces between the at least one magnet and the first component assist in moving the pawl from the disengaged position into the engaged position. a housing configured and arranged to move along the first component; characterised in that the second component further comprises: a pawl pivotally connected to the housing and configured and arranged to move from a disengaged position into an engaged position when the housing moves along the first component at a rate greater than a predetermined rate to lock the housing onto the first component, the at least one magnet being operatively connected to the pawl such that when the housing moves at an increased rate repulsive forces between the at least one magnet and the first component assist in moving the pawl from the disengaged position into the engaged position.