Fall_Arrest_AFI_91-203.docx

AFI 91-203 Applicable Regulations

13.2.2. General Industry. Passive fall protection shall be provided whenever workers can fall four (4) feet or more. This four (4) foot rule applies to all walking and working surfaces and includes open-sided floors and platforms, wall openings and window wall openings at a stairway landing, floor, platform or balcony with a drop of four (4) feet or more

13.4.4.6. Comply with 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices.

13.4.6. Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS). PFAS systems require an anchorage point, connecting means, lanyard and shock absorber. Refer to 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices, and 29 CFR 1910.66, Appendix C, Personal Fall Arrest System, for additional information. Refer to 29 CFR 1926.104., Safety Belts, Lifelines, and Lanyards, for additional guidance on basic PFAS guidelines (safety harnesses, lanyards, lifelines). Note: To prevent worker injury or death, PFASs shall not be used without a rescue plan; refer to paragraph 13.7.

ANSI Standard Z359.1., Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components.

13.4.6.7. Anchorage. Anchorages for lifelines and lanyards shall support at least a 5000 pound load for each person connected to the anchorage. Anchorages not meeting this rating can be used as part of a complete PFAS which maintains a safety factor of at least two (2) and is under the supervision of a qualified person. Only one PFAS shall be connected to an anchorage point unless specifically certified for more.

16.5.3.10. Personal fall arrest equipment anchorages shall be capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kilonewton [kN]) per worker attached, or shall be designed, installed, and used as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of two, under the supervision of a qualified person. (See Chapter 13, Fall Protection, and OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.66., Personal Fall Arrest System, Appendix C.)

24.16.5.2.1. PFASs require an anchorage connection point, connecting hardware components, body and fixed or shock absorbing lanyard, depending on system design. Anchorage connecting point(s) for each worker will have minimal support strength of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kilo-newton [kN]). Vertical and horizontal lifelines shall have a minimal breading strength of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN). Horizontal lifelines shall be designed, installed and used under the supervision of a qualified person, as part of a complete PFAS, which maintains a safety factor of at least two. Lanyards, D-rings, locking snap-hooks and all components of a fall arrest system will also be capable of sustaining a minimum tensile load of 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN). See paragraph 13.2, and 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices, 29 CFR 1910.66, Appendix C, Personal Fall Arrest System, and 29 CFR 1926.104., Safety Belts, Lifelines, and Lanyards, for additional PFAS guidance. To prevent worker injury or death, PFASs shall not be used without a rescue plan. IAW ANSI Z359.4, Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components, prompt rescue means getting to the subject within six (6) minutes after an accidental fall. Caution: Shock absorbing lanyards will not be used in conjunction with self-retracting lifelines, fall limiters, retractable web lanyards or decelerator packs (inertial reel type lifelines) devices. Multi-use or combinations of use can result in two falls and could hinder and/or prevent self-rescue or external rescue. Warning: Hanging in a harness for an extended period of time can be fatal. Supervisors shall ensure workers using a PFAS can be properly rescued or can rescue themselves should a fall occur. Availability of rescue personnel, ladders or other rescue equipment shall be determined prior to using a fall arrest system.