A personal fall-arrest system is required if there is any risk of a worker falling from an elevated position (generally, six feet or more). NOTE: Know the specific OSHA regulations which pertain to your industry.
OSHA defines a personal fall-arrest system as "a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a working level." It consists of (A) a fall-arrest anchorage capable of supporting a minimum of 5,000 Ibs. (22.2 kN) per attached worker and
independent of the worker's support; (B) a full-body harness designed to distribute the fall-arrest forces over thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders and equipped with a circle O-ring at the back for attaching a fall-arrest connecting device;
and (C) a fall-arrest connecting device, such as a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a combination of these devices equipped with locking snap-hooks. 
A personal fall-arrest system is a passive protection system which only comes into service when a fall occurs, similar to a seat belt in a car which restrains the wearer only upon impact. For example, a fall-arrest system would be used by
an ironworker bolting steel beams together for a skyscraper. Following the A-B-C RULE, the OPE system includes: (A) beam, (B) full-body harness, and (C) choker anchorage connector and lanyard with a deceleration unit. The outlined area in the figure at
right shows the impact-force distribution for a typical full-body, fall-arrest harness. OSHA requires that impact force in a fall NOT exceed an 1,800 lb. (8 kN) limit with a harness. At a given weight, the longer the free fall, the greater the resulting
impact force. To stay under the 1,800 lb. (8 kN) limit, minimize slack in the fall-arrest connecting device. The use of a deceleration unit will also reduce impact forces.
Remember, a personal fall-arrest system only becomes active in a fall. If equipment is required to help hold or place a worker in position, a separate positioning or suspension system must be used in addition to the fall-arrest system. A personal fall-arrest system is designed only to aid a worker once a fall occurs, and must be used whenever there is danger of
falling.
The following linked pages show the full line of Klein Fall Arrest System components:
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