Jason Wible with FrenchCreek Fall Safety Highlights The Components of A Personal Fall Arrest System

 Learn the three components of a personal fall arrest system from Jason Wible & FrenchCreek Fall Safety

Jason Wible with FrenchCreek Fall Safety Explains The Three Components Of A Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)

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If you are looking to protect yourself while working at heights, it is essential to understand the components of a personal fall arrest system and how they work together. In this article, we will look at what Jason Wible, owner of FrenchCreek Fall Safety, has to say about Personal Fall Arrest Systems so that you can be sure your work environment is as safe as possible. From harnesses and connectors to anchors and lanyards, we will cover the three key components of creating a secure system for preventing falls. Join us in exploring these safety systems featuring information from an industry expert.

As an integral part of a Fall Protection Program, it is vital to be familiar with the three main components of your Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) and what each does.
3 Components of A Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS)
A Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) can help protect workers from the dangers of an unexpected fall. This system comprises three crucial components: a full body harness, connecting means to link it with the anchorage point, and an anchor point itself. It's important to remember that all PFAS must be used with the supervision of a competent person appointed by your employer who is qualified enough to evaluate potential hazards associated with any given situation.
Full-Body Harness
A full-body harness is also called a safety harness. It is a wearable component of a personal fall arrest system. This system prevents people from falling and hitting a lower level or object. The full-body harness connects the worker to the anchorage point.
Jason Wible, owner of FrenchCreek Fall Safety, explains that safety belts were used as an alternative to full-body harnesses in the past. However, this is no longer considered safe for people who work in fall arrest mode. A full-body harness distributes the force of a fall throughout the body and keeps the worker suspended upright after a fall. A safety belt concentrates all the fall forces in one body area. And if a worker falls, they could easily slip out of the belt. That's why full-body harnesses are the only approved option now.

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Connecting Means
The connecting means is the second component of a personal fall arrest system. It is designed to attach to the full-body harness and anchorage point. The connecting means will determine how far a worker can fall before being stopped. There are two key types of connecting means: a lanyard and a self-retracting lifeline.
There are different types of connecting devices that are used for different situations. If there are things that someone might hit if they fell, they need to use a self-retracting lifeline to limit how far they could fall. Whether a worker is wearing a lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline, the connecting means must always be worn, attached, and anchored by the person performing the work, according to Jason Wible of FrenchCreek Fall Safety.
A lanyard is a short rope or strap that connects something to a body harness. It is also used to connect the harness to a deceleration device, shock absorber, anchorage connector, or anchorage point. The lanyard must be no longer than 6 feet, and it must hang freely. It must also meet a minimum tensile load of 5,000 lbs.
A self-retracting lifeline is a safety device that connects a worker's safety harness to an anchorage point. It automatically retracts into the unit housing, limiting the worker's free-fall distance to two feet or less. Because of its function, a self-retracting lifeline must only meet a minimum tensile load of 3,000 lbs.
Anchorage Point
An anchorage point is the third and final component of a personal fall arrest system. An anchorage point is what holds a person during and after a fall. Typically, this is permanently attached to the structure where work is being completed, like a steel member. Any bolts and washers used for the anchorage point should be inspected and evaluated for their load-bearing capabilities or how much weight they can hold.
According to Jason Wible, owner of FrenchCreek Fall Safety, anchorage points must be strong enough to hold at least 5,000 pounds per person. They also must meet certain design and installation requirements. Additionally, they must be independent of the means of work and positioned to minimize swing fall hazards.
Jason Wible of FrenchCreek Fall Safety explains the purpose of PFAS and its components so that you can be better informed about how to stay safe on the job. By understanding the importance of each component, you can ensure that your system is up to par and meeting all safety standards. Have you been properly trained in using a personal fall arrest system?

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