Personal Fall Arrest Systems - Standards

PFAS must be held to the following standards in order for the systems to be effective:

• The connectors in the PFAS must be made out of drop forged, pressed, or formed steel, or out of a material with equivalent strength.
• The connectors must have a smooth, corrosion-resistant finish to avoid damage.
• Dee-rings and snaphooks must be proof-tested to withstand a load of 3,600 pounds without cracking, breaking, or deforming.
• Snaphooks should be able to lock to prevent accidental disengagement.
• If lifelines are used, they must be designed, installed, and used under direct supervision of a qualified person.
• Vertical lifelines should be able to withstand 5,000 pounds of force.
• Each vertical lifeline may be used by only one person at a time.
• The lifelines should be resistant to cuts and abrasions.
• The ropes and straps in the PFAS must be made of synthetic fibers.

To learn more about Fall Protection visit our OSHA Construction Fall Protection Online Training web page.