A fall arrest system anchorage point must support what minimum weight?

The minimum requirement for a fall arrest system anchorage point is designed to ensure the safety of workers in the event of a fall. A standard anchorage point must be capable of supporting a minimum load of 5000 pounds. This requirement is based on the need to account for the dynamic forces that can occur during a fall, which may exceed the static weight of a person. Therefore, the anchorage's strength is intended to provide a significant safety margin, ensuring that it can withstand the forces generated by a person falling and being arrested by the system.

The choice of 5000 pounds reflects recognized standards in the industry, such as those established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). These organizations emphasize safety and worker protection, mandating that any fall protection systems are adequately designed to handle not just the weight of the person but also any additional forces associated with a fall.