Final answer:
The minimum breaking strength for vertical lifelines is 5,000 pounds, following safety requirements to protect workers from falls.
Step-by-step explanation:
The minimum breaking strength for vertical lifelines is 5,000 pounds. This requirement is set to ensure the safety and health of workers who might depend on these lifelines to prevent falls in the workplace. The breaking strength is a measure of the tensile stress that a material can withstand before it fails or breaks.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stipulates that for vertical lifelines, the minimum breaking strength must be at least 5,000 pounds to provide a sufficient safety margin for anyone using the lifeline.