For workers under what weight must a specially designed PFAS harness and lanyard be utilized?

The correct answer is based on established safety guidelines regarding the use of Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS). A specially designed harness and lanyard are required for workers who weigh less than 130 pounds to ensure their safety when working at heights. This threshold is set because fall protection equipment needs to be appropriately sized and capable of effectively supporting a person’s weight in a fall situation.

The design of PFAS equipment for those under 130 pounds takes into consideration the physics of a fall and the potential for injury. If the equipment is not specifically tailored for lower weight limits, it might not function as intended, potentially leading to severe injury or even fatalities. The 130-pound limit is an industry standard to ensure that the harness and lanyard can adequately perform their necessary functions, including minimizing the distance of a fall and the impact force on the body.

These specifications highlight the importance of proper equipment selection based on the worker’s weight, reinforcing the overall goal of creating a safe work environment.