What is the main objective of a personal fall arrest system?

The main objective of a personal fall arrest system is to reduce the amount of arresting force exerted on an employee who experiences a fall. This is crucial because when a fall occurs, the system is designed to minimize the impact and injury risks associated with the sudden stop. A properly designed fall arrest system includes elements such as harnesses, lanyards, and anchors that work together to gently decelerate the fall and distribute the forces involved over a larger area of the body, thereby protecting vital organs and reducing the likelihood of severe injury.

The other options focus on different aspects of safety that are not directly related to the specific purpose of fall arrest systems. For instance, providing visibility in low-light conditions pertains to different safety measures, while preventing slips and trips addresses general workplace hazards. Reducing fall distance to less than 3 feet is not a primary aim of personal fall arrest systems, as the goal is to stop a fall before it results in injury, not to strictly limit how far one can fall. Thus, the focus on minimizing the arresting force is key to ensuring worker safety in high-risk environments.