Not every fall arrest situation calls for the same equipment. Using a 6-foot shock-absorbing lanyard on a 10-foot deck is asking to hit the ground. Using a self-retracting lifeline where workers frequently climb is inefficient and dangerous if used incorrectly. Matching the right PFAS to the specific task and elevation is a skill every worker on this site must understand.

• Shock-absorbing lanyard (6 ft): Best for stationary or limited-movement tasks at fixed anchor points. Requires minimum 18.5 feet of clear fall distance below the worker's feet (6 ft free fall + 3.5 ft deceleration + 6 ft worker height + 3 ft safety factor)
• Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL): Best for workers moving frequently — roofing, steel erection, scaffold work. Locks within 2 feet of a fall event. Requires far less clearance than a lanyard. Inspect the retraction mechanism weekly
• Positioning system (body belt + positioning lanyard): Not a fall arrest system — used to hold a worker in position while keeping hands free. Must always be used in combination with a separate fall arrest system

• Required on suspended scaffolds and any situation where moving between anchor points could create an unprotected moment
• Clip to the next anchor BEFORE unclipping from the current one — this is 100% tie-off
• Double lanyards add weight and bulk — workers must be trained to manage them without creating trip hazards

• Minimum 5,000 lbs per attached worker — or designed by a qualified engineer to at least twice the maximum arrest force
• Anchor must be above the D-ring when possible — a dorsal anchor is ideal; never anchor below the waist
• Structural steel, concrete columns, and engineered anchor plates are acceptable. Pipes, conduit, and rebar are NOT