V1.0 2022 Copyright Safewaze
Fall Clearance:
There must be sufficient clearance below the anchorage connector to arrest a fall before the user strikes the
ground or an obstruction. When calculating fall clearance, account for a MINIMUM 2’ safety factor, deceleration distance, user
height, length of lanyard/SRL, and all other applicable factors. Figure 2 illustrates an “example” of a typical fall clearance
calculation.
7
LOAD IN
DICATO
R
LOA
D IN
DIC
ATO
R
A
FALL-ARREST
LOAD IN
DICATO
R
LOA
D IN
DIC
ATO
R
A
FALL-ARREST
LOAD IN
DICATO
R
LOA
D IN
DIC
ATO
R
A
FALL-ARREST
LOAD IN
DICATO
R
LOA
D IN
DIC
ATO
R
A
FALL-ARREST
B
A
D
D
C
E
“D” represents distance from the user’s Dorsal
D-ring to the walking/working surface prior
to any type of fall event. Actual distance can
vary based on user’s height.
***Diagram shown is an EXAMPLE fall clearance calculation.
Actual fall clearance calculations are dependent upon the Energy Absorbing Lanyard (EAL) or Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL) used as part of the complete Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS).
A
6 ft
Length of Shock Absorbing Lanyard
(Original working length)
B
4 ft
Elongation / Deceleration Distance
(Maximum Allowed Deployment of Energy Absorber)
C
1-1/2 ft
Length of D-ring Extender
D
5 ft
Dorsal D-ring Height
E
2 ft
Safety Factor
(Includes allowance for FBH Stretch/Dorsal D-ring Shift)
F
18-1/2 ft
Total
(Minimum Required Fall Clearance)
Fall Clearance Diagram
For all applications: worker weight capacity range
(including all clothing, tools, and equipment) is
ANSI 130-310 lbs., OSHA 420 lbs.
FIGURE 2
6.9 SWING FALLS
An anchorage point located in a position that is not directly over the user’s fall location results in a swing fall (See Figure 3).
Swing
falls may result in the user striking an object with enough force to cause serious injury. Greater clearance is needed to ensure
safety during a swing fall as vertical fall distance will be greater than a fall originating directly below the anchorage point.
FIGURE 3 - SWING FALLS
A
FALL-ARREST
SWIN
G F
AL
L
