What is the minimum weight capacity that anchor points must support for a Personal Fall Arrest system?

The correct answer is based on established safety standards and guidelines for Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS). According to OSHA and ANSI regulations, the minimum weight capacity that anchor points must support for a PFAS is 5000 lbs. This value ensures a strong enough safety margin to accommodate not just the weight of the worker but also dynamic forces that occur during a fall. This requirement is crucial for preventing injuries during falls, as it ensures the system can withstand the forces exerted during a fall event.

Choosing a capacity of 5000 lbs is vital in providing adequate safety under worst-case scenarios, factoring in the potential shock load that can occur when a fall is arrested. Weighing lesser capacities would not provide the necessary safety assurance, especially in industrial applications where the risk of using fall arrest systems is significant. Thus, the 5000 lbs minimum capacity is the standard that establishes a higher level of safety for workers utilizing personal fall protection systems.