fall arrest system anchor point 1

[weron4u]

A fall arrest system is required to have an anchor point capable of holding 5000#. Is the anchor point required to hold this 5000# without exceeding the yield stress? I have a beam that can hold 4500# in the elastic region and about 8000# in the plastic region. Does this meet OSHA code?

 

[Ron]

I believe the OSHA references are ultimate, not yield.

 

[RPG]

I believe that OSHA's intent is that if 5000 pounds is exerted on the anchor point it will not give way: "minimum breaking strength of 5000 pounds". To understand better why 5000 pounds is the magic number, the old restraint systems were strictly a 6 foot long piece of rope. If an employee plus tools is 310 pounds and they drop 6 feet before stooping, they exert about 2500 pounds. With a safety factor of 2X, you get 5000 pounds. For the current standards and some good information, refer to 29CFR1910.66 Appendix C "Personal Fall Arrest System.

 

[omar12]

The 5000# is the ultimate strength of the anchor