Obstructions in the fall path may be just as hazardous as the fall itself, and your PFAS
may not be able to protect you from these hazards. Failure to clear the fall path may
result in serious injury or death. Rig your PFAS with extreme caution, and be aware of
all of the factors that may come into play in the event of a fall.
2.10: Swing‐Fall
Swing‐Fall is the phenomenon that occurs when the user falls from a location that is not
directly adjacent to, or directly below the anchorage connector. This is also referred to as
the "pendulum effect", and can result in a situation where the user is not only falling
vertically, but is also swinging on the horizontal as well. This can bring additional hazards
into play, as you may swing into an obstruction or structural element, causing serious
injuries (see figure 2.2). A significant Swing‐Fall may also require increased Clear‐Fall
distance. As a rule of thumb, you should ensure work in an area that does not exceed an
angle greater than 15 degrees in any direction from your anchorage.
Figure 2.1: Clear‐Fall Diagram
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