WAC 296-304-09021
Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS). Personal fall arrest systems must meet the requirements of
this section.
(1) The employer must ensure that connectors and
anchorages meet the following criteria:
(a) Connectors are made of drop forged, pressed, or
formed steel or of materials with equivalent strength.
(b) Connectors have a corrosion-resistant finish, and all
surfaces and edges are smooth to prevent damage to the
interfacing parts of the system.
(c) D-rings and snaphooks can sustain a minimum tensile
load of 5,000 pounds (22.24 Kn).
(d) D-rings and snaphooks are proof-tested to a minimum
tensile load of 3,600 pounds (16 Kn) without cracking,
breaking, or being permanently deformed.
(e) Snaphooks lock and are designed and used to prevent
disengagement of the snaphook by contact of the snaphook
keeper with the connected part.
(f) On suspended scaffolds or similar work platforms with
horizontal lifelines that may become vertical lifelines, the
devices used for connection to the horizontal lifeline can
lock in any direction on the lifeline.
(g) Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall
arrest equipment are independent of any anchorage used to
support or suspend platforms.
(h) Anchorages can support at least 5,000 pounds (22.24
Kn) per employee attached, or are designed, installed, and
used as follows:
(i) As part of a complete personal fall arrest system
that maintains a safety factor of at least two; and
(ii) Under the direction and supervision of a qualified
person.
(2) The employer must ensure that lifelines, lanyards,
and personal fall arrest systems meet the following criteria:
(a) When vertical lifelines are used, each employee has a
separate lifeline.
(b) Vertical lifelines and lanyards have a minimum
tensile strength of 5,000 pounds (22.24 Kn).
(c) Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards that
automatically limit free fall distances to 2 feet (0.61 m) or
less can sustain a minimum tensile load of 3000 pounds (13.34
Kn) applied to a self-retracting lifeline or lanyard with the
lifeline or lanyard in the fully extended position.
(d) Self-retracting lifelines and lanyards which do not
limit free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61 m) or less, ripstitch
lanyards and tearing and deforming lanyards can sustain a
minimum static tensile load of 5,000 pounds (22.24 Kn) applied
to the device when they are in the fully extended position.
(e) Horizontal lifelines are designed, installed, and
used under the supervision of a qualified person, and only
used as part of a complete personal fall arrest system that
maintains a safety factor of at least two.
Note:
The system strength needs below are based on a maximum combined weight of employee and tools of 310 pounds. If
combined weight is more than 310 pounds (140.62 kg), appropriate allowances must be made or the system will not be
in compliance.
(f) Effective April 20, 1998, the employer must ensure
that personal fall arrest systems:
(i) Limit the maximum arresting force on a falling
employee to 1,800 pounds (8 Kn) when used with a body harness;
(ii) Bring a falling employee to a complete stop and
limit the maximum deceleration distance an employee travels to
3.5 feet (1.07 m); and
(iii) Are strong enough to withstand twice the potential
impact energy of an employee free falling a distance of 6 feet
(1.8 m), or the free fall distance permitted by the system,
whichever is less.
(g) The employer must ensure that personal fall arrest
systems are rigged so that an employee can neither free fall
more than 6 feet (1.83 m) nor contact any lower level.
(3) The employer must select, use, and care for systems
and system components according to the following requirements:
(a) Lanyards are attached to employees using personal
fall arrest systems, as follows:
The attachment point of a body harness is in the center
of the wearer's back near the shoulder level, or above the
wearer's head. If the maximum free fall distance is less than
20 inches, the attachment point may be located in the chest
position.
(b) Ropes and straps (webbing) used in lanyards,
lifelines and strength components of body harnesses are made
from synthetic fibers or wire rope.
(c) Ropes, harnesses, and lanyards are compatible with
their hardware.
(d) Lifelines and lanyards are protected against cuts,
abrasions, burns from hot work operations and deterioration by
acids, solvents, and other chemicals.
(e) Personal fall arrest systems are inspected before
each use for mildew, wear, damage, and other deterioration. Defective components are removed from service.
(f) Personal fall arrest systems and components subjected
to impact loading are immediately removed from service and not
used again for employee protection until inspected and
determined by a qualified persons to be undamaged and suitable
for reuse.
(g) The employer must provide for prompt rescue of
employees in the event of a fall or must ensure that employees
are able to rescue themselves.
(h) Personal fall arrest systems and components are used
only for employee fall protection and not to hoist materials.
(4) Training. Before using personal fall arrest
equipment, the employer must ensure that each affected
employee is trained to understand the application limits of
the equipment and proper hook-up, anchoring, and tie-off
techniques. Affected employees must also be trained to
demonstrate the proper use, inspection, and storage of their
equipment.