Shock absorbing lanyards add how much to a worker's potential fall distance?

Shock absorbing lanyards are designed to reduce the forces transmitted to a worker during a fall by elongating when force is applied. These lanyards typically add about 24 inches to 36 inches to a worker's potential fall distance because of the way they stretch and absorb shock. This added distance must be accounted for when planning for fall protection, as it affects how much clearance is needed below the worker to ensure a safe fall without hitting the ground or any lower obstruction.

Understanding the increased potential fall distance is critical for safety planning on construction sites and other environments where workers operate at heights. Properly calculating this distance allows safety managers and workers to take adequate precautions, ensuring that fall protection systems are effectively utilized and that the risks associated with a fall are minimized.