October 12, 2020 Safety Tip of the Week delivered to your inbox each Monday by GrainnetSafety.com
Fall Arrest - Total Fall Distance
It is important to calculate total fall distance before using a personal fall arrest system. If this calculation is not performed correctly, a worker may come in contact with dangerous equipment or a lower level.
Total Fall Distance Calculation - Energy-Absorbing Lanyard
Consider a 6-foot-tall worker using a 6-foot energy-absorbing lanyard with 3-1/2 feet of deceleration distance and a safety factor of 3 feet. The lanyard is connected to a fixed anchor point.
To calculate total fall distance, add the following:
To safely arrest the fall and prevent the worker from contacting the lower level, the anchorage point must be at least 18-1/2 feet above the lower level.
Total Fall Distance Calculation - Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL)
Consider a 6-foot-tall worker using an SRL and a safety factor of 3 feet. The SRL is connected to a fixed anchor point.
To calculate total fall distance, add the following:
Height of worker - 6 feet
Free-fall distance - 2 feet
Deceleration distance - 3-1/2 feet
Safety factor - 3 feet
Total fall distance = 14 1/2 feet
To safely arrest the fall and prevent the worker from contacting the lower level, the anchorage point must be at least 14-1/2 feet above the lower level.
