PFAS - Lifelines

Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) used on scaffolds must be attached by lanyard to a vertical lifeline, horizontal lifeline, or scaffold structural member.

A lifeline consists of a flexible line for connection to an anchorage at one end to hang vertically (vertical lifeline), or for connection to anchorages at both ends to stretch horizontally (horizontal lifeline).

Lifelines must meet the following criteria:

• On suspended scaffolds with horizontal lifelines that may become vertical lifelines, the devices used to connect to a horizontal lifeline must be capable of locking in both directions on the lifeline.
• Lifelines must be protected against being cut or abraded.
• Lanyards and vertical lifelines must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds.
• When lanyards are connected to horizontal lifelines or structural members on a single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold, the scaffold must be equipped with additional independent support lines and automatic locking devices capable of stopping the fall of the scaffold in the event one or both of the suspension ropes fail. The independent support lines must be equal in number and strength to the suspension ropes.

Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards must meet the following criteria:

• If they automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet or less, they must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 3,000 pounds applied to the device with the lifeline or lanyard in the fully extended position.
• If they do not limit free fall distance to 2 feet or less, they must be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5,000 pounds applied to the device with the lifeline or lanyard in the fully extended position.

In addition, the following criteria apply:

• Ropes and straps (webbing) used in lanyards, lifelines, and strength components of body belts and body harnesses must be made from synthetic fibers.
• Vertical lifelines, independent support lines, and suspension ropes must not be attached to each other, must not be attached to or use the same point of anchorage, and must not be attached to the same point on the scaffold or personal fall arrest system.

Vertical lifelines must meet the following additional criteria:

• When vertical lifelines are used, each employee must be attached to a separate lifeline.
• Vertical lifelines must not be used when overhead components, such as overhead protection or additional platform levels, are part of a single-point or two-point adjustable suspension scaffold.
• When vertical lifelines are used, they must be fastened to a fixed safe point of anchorage, must be independent of the scaffold, and must be protected from sharp edges and abrasion. Safe points of anchorage include structural members of buildings, but do not include standpipes, vents, other piping systems, electrical conduit, outrigger beams, or counterweight.

Horizontal lifelines must meet the following additional criteria:

• Horizontal lifelines must be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person as part of a complete PFAS.
• When horizontal lifelines are used, they must be secured to two or more structural members of the scaffold, or they may be looped around both suspension and independent suspension lines (on scaffolds so equipped) above the hoist and brake attached to the end of the scaffold. Horizontal lifelines must not be attached only to the suspension ropes.

To learn more about Scaffolding Safety visit our Construction Scaffolding Safety Online Training web page.