OSHA
FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
& FALL CLEARANCE CALCULATIONS
Infographic Transcription
How to Calculate Fall Clearance Distance
USING A SHOCK-ABSORBING LANYARD & D-RING ANCHORAGE CONNECTOR
LANYARD LENGTH
- 6'
- This will be outlined on the lanyard’s packaging.
DECELERATION DISTANCE
- 3.5'
- This is the distance a worker falls between the time a fall arrest device activates and the stopping point.
HEIGHT OF WORKER
- 6'
- The average height of a worker is 6'.
SAFETY FACTOR
- 3'
- This value should not be less than 3'.
TOTAL FALL CLEARANCE DISTANCE
- 18.5'
- This is the total distance workers should give themselves between the fall arrest system’s attachment point and the lower level when working at height.
Formula shown:
LANYARD LENGTH
- DECELERATION DISTANCE
- HEIGHT OF WORKER
- SAFETY FACTOR
= TOTAL FALL CLEARANCE DISTANCE
Note: These are sample numbers and should be used only as guidelines.
Using a Retractable Lifeline
- Calculation of fall clearance distance using a retractable lifeline is similar to using a shock-absorbing lanyard, with one key difference: Worker’s travel distance is the lanyard length with the MAXIMUM FREEFALL DISTANCE.
- This is the distance from the start of a fall to just below the fall arrest mechanism.
- OSHA limits this to 6' or less.
Fall protection was OSHA’s most-cited violation in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Necessary Elements of an Effective Fall Arrest System
ANCHORAGE
- Secure point at which the fall arrest system attaches.
CONNECTORS
- This is used to connect the body support harness to the anchorage system.
- This may be a shock-absorbing lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline.
BODY SUPPORT
- This is the device (usually a body harness) that provides a connection point for the fall arrest system.
OSHA Requirements for Fall Arrest Systems
- The only product recommended by OSHA is a full-body harness and a shock-absorbing lanyard or retractable lifeline.
- Anchorages must be able to support 5,000 lbs. per employee attached; they must be independent of any anchorage that supports or suspends platforms.
- Vertical lifelines and lanyards must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs. and protect against cuts and abrasion.
- Employees must use a body harness; a body belt alone is recommended for positioning and is not considered suitable fall protection, due to the risk of injury during a fall.
- The attachment of a body harness must be on the center of the wearer’s back, near the shoulder level, or above the head.
- Each employee must be attached to a separate lifeline (except during the construction of elevator shafts).
- Self-retracting vertical lifelines and lanyards that automatically limit freefall distance to 2' or less must sustain a load of 3,000 lbs. in the fully extended position.
- If self-retracting vertical lifelines and lanyards do not limit the freefall distance to 2' or less, they must sustain a load of 5,000 lbs. in the fully extended position.
- D-rings must have a minimum strength of 5,000 lbs.
- Fall arrest systems may not be attached to guardrail systems.
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