Final answer:
A personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is designed to secure a person during a fall from a working level, with components including anchorage, body support, and connection means. PFAS prevents severe fall-related injuries and is regulated by standards like OSHA, requiring fall arrest systems to limit fall forces and distances.
Step-by-step explanation:
A personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is designed to secure a person in a fall from a working level. PFAS is an essential aspect of occupational safety, particularly in industries where workers are required to perform tasks at height, such as construction, maintenance, and window cleaning.
The PFAS is a kind of active fall protection that includes three main components: anchorage, body support, and means of connection. Anchorage, also known as a tie-off point, is a secure point of attachment for the fall arrest system. Body support often comes in the form of a full-body harness that distributes fall forces across the body, and the means of connection, typically a lanyard or deceleration device, connects the harness to the anchorage.
Effective use of a PFAS is critical in preventing both the occurrence and severity of fall-related injuries. It is subject to strict relevant standards and regulations, such as those established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States, which mandate that the PFAS limit the maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds, bring an employee to a complete stop and not allow a fall of more than 6 feet, and provide for a safety factor of at least two.
Training and proper usage of personal fall arrest systems are paramount. Workers must be educated on how to inspect the equipment for signs of wear, damage, and other deterioration, as well as how to correctly don the harness and adjust it for a secure and comfortable fit. Additionally, they should be trained in selecting suitable anchorage points that can support the prescribed forces and in understanding the potential hazards related to different types of falls.