UFC 3-460-03
21 JANUARY 2003
tearing of materials, or breaking of stitches to allow energy absorption. An energy absorber may be
borne by the user or be a part of a horizontal or vertical lifeline subsystem.
11.18.14.7. Destroy all lanyards that have been subject to impact loading from a falling person or
weight test.
11.18.14.8. Fall protection and rescue equipment may be locally or centrally procured. Purchase
equipment to meet or exceed the requirements of ANSI Z359, Safety Requirements for Personal
Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems, and Components. Use only commercially manufactured fall and
rescue equipment. The use of "homemade" or modified equipment is strictly prohibited.
11.18.14.9. Equipment purchased will have the manufacturer's name, identification code, and the
date of manufacture stamped on the equipment or on a permanently attached tag.
11.18.14.10. The free end of synthetic materials lanyards will be lightly seared and, in the case of
natural fiber rope, will be seized (whipped).
11.18.14.11. Supervisors must maintain the manufacturer's performance testing information for
the personal fall-arrest system being used. The fall-arrest system must meet test requirements of
29 CFR 1926 Sub-Part M, Fall Protection.
11.18.14.12. It is common practice to interchange lanyards, connectors, lifelines, deceleration
devices, and body harnesses since some components wear out sooner than others; however, not all
components are designed to be interchangeable. For example, a lanyard should never be
substituted for the lifeline.
11.18.14.13. Provide safety training before personnel use a fall-arrest system for the first time.
Include application limits, proper anchoring and tie-off techniques, estimation of free-fall distance
(including deceleration distance), total fall distance to prevent striking a lower level, methods of
use, inspection, storage, and manufacturer's recommendations.
11.18.14.14. When personal fall-arrest systems are used, the supervisor must ensure that workers
can be properly rescued or can rescue themselves should a fall occur. Consider the availability of
rescue personnel, ladders, or other rescue equipment before working in areas that require a fall-
arrest system.
11.18.15. Inspecting Personal Fall-Arrest Systems.
11.18.15.1. Once a fall-arrest system is in use, its effectiveness should be monitored to determine
cleaning and maintenance requirements.
11.18.15.2. Comply with T.O. 00-25-245, OPR Instruction Testing and Inspection Procedures
Personnel Safety and Rescue Equipment, and all manufacturer instructions regarding the
inspection, maintenance, cleaning, and storage of the equipment. The using organization will
maintain copies of the manufacturer's instructions.
11.18.15.3. The user must inspect equipment before each use. Inspect all fall-arrest systems at
least annually using the criteria in T.O. 00-25-245. Conduct more frequent inspections at the
discretion of the using organization.
11.18.15.4. When inspection of equipment reveals defects, damage, or inadequate maintenance,
tag the equipment as "unserviceable" and remove it from service until repairs are made. The
following conditions require a component to be removed from service:
11.18.15.4.1. Components with absent or illegible markings.
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