According to Cal/OSHA fall protection standards, what is the maximum allowed deflection distance for a personal fall arrest system?
Correct Answer
A) 3.5 feet
Cal/OSHA limits personal fall arrest system deflection to 3.5 feet to prevent workers from striking lower levels or objects during a fall.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Cal/OSHA limits the deceleration distance (deflection/free-fall extension) of a personal fall arrest system to 3.5 feet. This limit ensures that when the system arrests a fall, the worker does not travel far enough to strike a lower level or obstruction. The 3.5-foot limit accounts for the deceleration device's travel distance after the lanyard goes taut.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 6 feet
Six feet is the threshold height at which fall protection is required in general industry and construction — not the maximum deflection distance of a personal fall arrest system. Confusing the 'trigger height' for fall protection requirements with the 'maximum arrest distance' is a very common error.
Option C: 12 feet
Twelve feet has no established basis in Cal/OSHA fall arrest system deflection standards. This figure may be confused with some total fall distance calculations (free fall + deceleration) but does not represent the deflection limit.
Option D: 8 feet
Eight feet is not the Cal/OSHA maximum deflection distance. This may result from rounding up or confusing this figure with federal OSHA standards or other fall distance parameters.
Memory Technique
Remember '3.5 = arrest system slack.' Think of it this way: the fall arrest system must stop you within 3.5 feet of stretch — less than the length of your body — so you don't hit anything below. '3.5 feet to arrest, 6 feet to require.'
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