Final answer:
Personal fall arrest snap-hooks must be locking to prevent accidental opening and have a gate strength to prevent roll-out. These safety features are crucial to ensure a worker's safety at heights, and adherence to regulations like OSHA's is mandatory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Personal fall arrest systems, including snap-hooks, are critical components in ensuring the safety of workers at heights. According to safety regulations and standards, these snap-hooks must possess two primary features: they must be locking and also be capable of preventing roll-out or accidental disengagement.
A locking snap-hook is designed such that it cannot be opened unless manually unlocked. This attribute is vital to prevent the hook from inadvertently opening under load or due to contact with other objects. The locking mechanism serves as a redundant safety feature to ensure even if an accidental load is applied to the gate of the snap-hook, it will remain securely closed.
To prevent roll-out, the snap-hooks must have a gate strength that is sufficient to withstand a minimum force, typically at least 3,600 pounds in the United States, as per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This level of strength helps to avoid situations where the snap-hook gate could be forced open under load, which could result in a failure of the fall arrest system and potentially lead to serious injury or death.
It cannot be overstated how important the proper usage and the integrity of personal fall arrest equipment is. Furthermore, each worker should be properly trained in the use and inspection of their equipment to detect any damage or wear that could compromise safety. Such proactive measures are essential to maintaining a safe working environment when operating at heights.