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Oregon OSHA's Fall distance educator

Scenario 2 (continued)

Yes, he will be safe

  • Free fall distance is 6 feet. (Oregon OSHA requires free falls to be 6 feet or less).
  • He did not hit the ground. (However, he had only 6 inches to spare. Consider increasing the connection height to provide a greater safety factor.)

Here is how to calculate total fall distance and free fall distance.

Lanyard length:6.0 ft.
Shock absorber deceleration distance:3.5 ft.
Height to back D-ring:+ 5.0 ft.
Necessary clearance:14.5 ft.
Connection height:– 5.0 ft.
Total Fall distance:9.5 ft.
Shock absorber deceleration distance:– 3.5 ft.
Free fall distance:6.0 ft.
motion graphic of a man in a safety harness falling 

Start scenario 3 

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