What is the maximum permitted free fall distance in a Fall Arrest system?

In a Fall Arrest system, the maximum permitted free fall distance is six feet or until contact with any lower level. This is established to limit the extent of a fall, thereby reducing the potential for injury from the impact when falling. The primary aim of maintaining this limit is to ensure the safety of the individual using the fall protection system while also allowing enough distance for the fall arrest device to adequately deploy and absorb the energy of the fall.

By setting the maximum free fall distance at six feet, it helps to ensure that the fall arrest system, including components like lanyards, harnesses, and anchors, can function effectively to minimize the risk of a hard impact or secondary injuries caused by swinging or falling into obstacles below.

The other potential options exceed this six-foot threshold, which could lead to increased forces on the body upon arresting the fall and increased risk of injury, making them not compliant with recognized safety standards.