Fall Distance Diagram with calculations.



Fall Distance Diagram | Fall Protection Anchorage

Calculating Fall Clearance Distance:

°Using a Shock-Absorbing Lanyard and D-Ring Anchorage Connector


• First, add the length of the shock-absorbing lanyard (6 ft.) to the maximum elongation of the shock absorber during deceleration (3-1/2 ft.) to the average height of a worker (6 ft.).

• Then, add a safety factor of 3 ft. to allow for the possibility of an improperly fit harness, a taller than average worker and/or a miscalculation of distance.

• The total, 18-1/2 ft. is the suggested safe fall clearance distance for this example.

† NOTE: Should the shock-absorbing lanyard be used in conjunction with a cross-arm anchorage connector or other, the additional length of the anchorage connector must be taken into consideration.





fall distance diagram | retractable lifelines

Calculating Fall Clearance Distance:

°Using a Retractable Lifeline



• First, add the maximum free fall distance (2 ft.) with a retractable lifeline to the maximum deceleration distance (3-1/2 ft.) to the average height of a worker (6 ft.).

• Then, add a safety factor of 3 ft. to allow for the possibility of an improperly fit harness, a taller than average worker and/or a miscalculation of distance.

• The total, 14-1/2 ft. is the suggested safe fall clearance distance for this example.

† NOTE: When using a retractable lifeline, the distance is calculated from the point where the retractable attaches to the back D-ring of the worker’s harness.


‡ Information provided by osha.gov