Final answer:
The tie-off point for a lanyard in a personal fall arrest system must be able to support much more than 40 pounds; in fact, OSHA standards require it to support at least 5,000 pounds per person attached. This practical application of physics ensures safety against the dynamic forces involved in a fall, not just the static weight of the person.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding how much weight the other end of a lanyard should be tied off to support for each person attached is related to workplace safety, specifically in scenarios where personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) are used. This is a practical application of physics, as it involves the tensile strength of materials and the safety requirements developed to prevent falls from heights. It is not just about the weight a lanyard should support but ensuring that the system can withstand the forces involved in a fall, including the weight of the person and the potential dynamic load from the fall's impact. In the context of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards, the minimum requirement is typically that the anchor point must be able to support at least 5,000 pounds (22.2 kN) per person attached, which is significantly higher than the options provided in the question.