Personal Fall Protection Equipment Terms

Anchorage

Anchorage is a secure point of attachment to be used with personal fall protection equipment. OSHA requires that if an anchorage is intended for use with a fall arrest system, it must be capable of withstanding a force of 5,000 pounds for each person attached.

Connectors

A connector is a component or element that is used to couple parts of the system together, such as D-rings and snap hooks. Connectors must have a minimum tensile strength of 5,000 pounds.

Full body harness

A full body harness is a body support designed to contain the torso and distribute the fall arrest forces over at least the upper thighs, pelvis, chest, and shoulders. Body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system, because they impose a danger of internal injuries when stopping a fall.

Should a fall occur, the harness ensures that the arrest force is evenly distributed and that the worker is safely suspended in an upright position. If a harness is not properly adjusted, the user runs the risk of slipping from the harness and falling unrestrained.

Lanyards

A lanyard is a component consisting of a flexible rope, wire rope, or strap, which typically has a connector at each end for connecting to the body support and to a fall arrester, energy absorber, anchorage connector, or anchorage. Lanyards must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds.

Lanyards are equipped with a variety of features. Some have an energy (shock) absorber, which is a component whose primary function is to dissipate energy and limit deceleration forces that the system imposes on the body during fall arrest.

Self-retracting lanyards are made with a device that automatically reels in the extra length. These lanyards are recommended to avoid a potential trip over a slack lanyard when a worker is using a large work space and moving back and forth.

Lanyards (other than self-retracting lanyards) are made to be a specific length. Always use the shortest lanyard that will allow completion of a task. Never try to shorten a lanyard by tying knots in it, as this significantly reduces its strength. Conversely, never tie two lanyards together to add length, as they may come unfastened in the event of a fall or hard pull. Avoid leaving lanyards where they may be exposed to chemicals or long periods of direct sunlight, which could weaken the material. If it is necessary to move between platforms or levels, never attach two lanyards to the same harness ring.

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