Criteria for connectors and anchorages.

Directly to webbing, rope or wire rope;

To each other;

To a D-ring to which another snaphook or other connector is attached;

To a horizontal lifeline; or

To any object that is incompatibly shaped or dimensioned in relation to the snaphook such that unintentional disengagement could occur by the connected object being able to depress the snaphook keeper and release itself.

As part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two; and

Under the direction and supervision of a qualified person.

Criteria for lifelines, lanyards, and personal fall arrest systems.

Limit the maximum arresting force on a falling employee to 900 pounds (4 Kn) when used with a body belt;

Limit the maximum arresting force on a falling employee to 1,800 pounds (8 Kn) when used with a body harness;

Bring a falling employee to a complete stop and limit the maximum deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.07 m), and

Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of an employee free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.83 m), or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less;

NOTE TO PARAGRAPH (b)(6) OF THIS SECTION: A personal fall arrest system which meets the criteria and protocols contained in appendix B, is considered to comply with paragraph (b)(6). If the combined tool and body weight is 310 pounds (140.62 kg) or more, systems that meet the criteria and protocols contained in appendix B will be deemed to comply with the provisions of paragraph (b)(6) only if they are modified appropriately to provide protection for the extra weight of the employee and tools.

Personal fall arrest systems shall be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.83 m) nor contact any lower level.

Criteria for selection, use and care of systems and system components.

Training. Before using personal fall arrest equipment, each affected employee shall be trained to understand the application limits of the equipment and proper hook-up, anchoring, and tie-off techniques. Affected employees shall also be trained so that they can demonstrate the proper use, inspection, and storage of their equipment.