Fall Calculation Chart

FALL CALCULATION
Personal Fall Arrest System
Anchorage Points
 Calculating Fall Clearance Distance Using a Retractable
Lifeline
 First, add the maximum free fall distance (2 ft.) with a retractable lifeline to
the maximum deceleration distance (3-1/2 ft.) to the average height of a
worker (6 ft.).
 Then, add a safety factor of 3 ft. to allow for the possibility of an improperly fit
harness, a taller than average worker and/or a miscalculation of distance.
 The total, 14-1/2 ft. is the suggested safe fall clearance distance for
this example.
NOTE: When using a retractable
lifeline, the distance is calculated
from the point where the
retractable attaches to the back
D-ring of the worker’s harness.
Personal Fall Arrest System
Anchorage Points
 Calculating Fall Clearance Distance Using a Shock-
Absorbing Lanyard and D-Ring Anchorage Connector
 First, add the length of the shock-absorbing lanyard (6 ft.) to the maximum
elongation of the shock absorber during deceleration (3-1/2 ft.) to the average
height of a worker (6 ft.).
 Then, add a safety factor of 3 ft. to allow for the possibility of an improperly fit
harness, a taller than average worker and/or a miscalculation of distance.
 The total, 18-1/2 ft. is the suggested safe fall clearance distance for
this example.
NOTE: Should the shock-absorbing
lanyard be used in conjunction
with a cross-arm anchorage
connector or other, the additional
length of the anchorage connector
must be taken into consideration.