OSHA requires that the deceleration distance of a PFAS be no more than what distance?

The correct answer is that OSHA requires the deceleration distance of a Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) to be no more than 3.5 feet. This regulation is crucial for ensuring the safety of workers at heights, as it defines how far a worker can fall after the fall arrest system has engaged.

When a fall occurs, the PFAS needs to manage the arresting of the fall while minimizing the risk of injury from the momentum generated during the fall. The deceleration distance is that measurement of how far a worker will fall after the system engages before coming to a complete stop.

By limiting the deceleration distance to 3.5 feet, OSHA ensures that the forces exerted on the worker's body are minimized, which reduces the likelihood of severe injuries upon landing. This limit also considers necessary factors such as the length of harness lanyards and the positioning of anchors.

In this context, knowing the correct deceleration distance is essential for compliance with safety regulations in the construction and roofing industries, where falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries. Thus, understanding these limits helps to create safer work conditions and practices.