OSHA 30 Hour Construction Program Practice Test

The maximum arresting force of 900 lbs in a PFAS is meant to minimize what?

1. Injury to the worker

2. Damage to equipment

3. Time for recovery

4. Cost of inspections

The correct answer is: Injury to the worker

The maximum arresting force of 900 lbs in a Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) is designed primarily to minimize injury to the worker. This specification is established to limit the amount of force exerted on a worker's body during a fall. The rationale behind this limit is to ensure that, in the event of a fall, the forces transmitted through the body are kept within safe limits to prevent serious injuries, such as spinal cord or internal organ damage. When a fall occurs, the PFAS engages to catch the worker, but the dynamics of the fall and the mechanism of arrest include a sudden stop, which can generate significant forces. Therefore, maintaining the arresting force at or below 900 lbs is a crucial safety feature aimed at protecting the worker’s physical health. In the context of this question, understanding the role of arresting forces is vital for fall protection planning and implementation in accordance with OSHA standards, which prioritize worker safety as the foremost concern in construction environments.