SafetyQuestion 643 of 700
CALCULATION: A worker's PFAS allows a maximum free fall of 6 ft and, once the shock-absorbing lanyard deploys, up to 3.5 ft of deceleration distance. Adding a 5 ft worker height plus a 2 ft safety margin, what is the MINIMUM vertical clearance needed below the anchorage-level walking surface to avoid hitting the lower level?
a.9.5 ft
b.11 ft
c.14.5 ft
d.16.5 ft
Explanation
Correct: total required fall clearance = free fall (6) + deceleration distance (3.5) + worker height (5) + safety margin (2) = 16.5 ft. The other answers omit one or more components: 9.5 ft counts only free fall plus deceleration; 11 ft and 14.5 ft leave out the worker's height and/or safety margin. Free-fall and deceleration distances must both be added to standing height and a margin when computing clearance.
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