What is the minimum breaking strength required for lifelines and lanyards?

The minimum breaking strength required for lifelines and lanyards is 5,000 pounds. This standard is established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure safety when workers are using personal fall protection systems. A breaking strength of 5,000 pounds provides a sufficient safety margin to prevent failure during a fall, considering dynamic forces that may occur. This margin helps protect workers by ensuring that lanyards and lifelines remain intact in the event of unintended falls, which can subject these components to significant forces.

The breaking strength standard not only ensures reliability but also comprehensively addresses the performance of safety gear under various conditions. Therefore, having this higher threshold is essential for the overall effectiveness and safety of fall protection systems in the workplace.