What minimum force must an engineered anchor be able to withstand for fall protection use?

The correct choice is based on the widely accepted safety standards regarding fall protection systems. An engineered anchor used for personal fall protection must meet specific strength requirements to ensure the safety of workers. The minimum force an engineered anchor is required to withstand is 3,600 pounds. This force measurement is derived from standards set forth by organizations such as ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), which emphasize the importance of having anchors that can support a fall arrest system effectively.

The reasoning behind the 3,600-pound requirement is to account not only for the weight of the falling person but also for dynamic forces encountered during a fall. This includes factors such as inertia, the potential for swinging, and the need for a margin of safety to prevent anchor failure in real-world scenarios. Ensuring every engineered anchor meets this minimum threshold is essential for providing reliable fall protection and preventing injuries in environments where workers are at risk of falling from heights.