Considering a 6ft lanyard and a 6ft person, what is the total fall clearance needed?

To determine the total fall clearance needed when using a 6-foot lanyard and considering a 6-foot person, it's important to understand how fall protection systems work and the components involved in calculating total fall clearance.

When a person falls while attached to a lanyard, several factors must be accounted for in order to ensure that the individual does not hit the ground or any obstruction below. The total fall clearance includes the height of the person, the length of the lanyard, and the additional distance needed to accommodate the deployment of the fall protection system, often referred to as the "deceleration distance."

In this scenario, the 6-foot person has a height of 6 feet. The 6-foot lanyard will extend a certain length during a fall, but one must also consider the additional clearance needed for the dynamic forces involved when the fall protection equipment activates. Typically, this extra clearance amounts to approximately 3.5 feet to 4.5 feet, accounting for equipment stretch and any necessary fall arrest distance.

Calculating total fall clearance can therefore be done as follows:

• Height of the person: 6 feet

• Length of the lanyard: 6 feet

• Additional clearance for deceleration: approximately