Shock absorbing lanyards are not mandatory.

Standard Number: 1926.502(d)

June 3, 1998

John J. McCarthy
Lovell Safety Management Co.
125 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038-491

Dear Mr. McCarthy:

This is in response to your letter, dated February 2, 1998, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in which you asked whether shock absorbing lanyards were mandatory in a personal fall arrest system.

Shock absorbing lanyards are not mandatory but are often used to comply with OSHA's Subpart M requirements. The specifications for a personal fall arrest system are in 29 CFR 1926.502(d). One of the provisions in this section requires that when using a full body harness, the system must limit the maximum arresting force exerted on an employee to 1,800 pounds. One means of complying with this section is to use a shock absorbing lanyard.

If you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again by writing to: Directorate of Construction-Office of Construction Standards and Compliance Assistance, Room S-1506, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210.

Sincerely,

Russell B. Swanson, Director
Directorate of Construction