1910.140(d): Personal Fall Arrest System Performance
Employers must make sure personal fall arrest systems limit arresting force to 1,800 pounds, stop the employee within a deceleration distance of 3.5 feet, withstand twice the impact energy of a 6-foot free fall, and keep straps off the neck and chin. Systems must be rigged so the employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet or contact a lower level, except as the rule allows.
Key takeaways
- 1910.140(d) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 62 times in the last 3 years, in 57 inspections, with $210,100 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (11), NV (7), OR (5).
- Related part: 1910.140(d)(2)(ii) (34 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.140(d) ("Personal fall arrest systems") is one requirement inside 1910.140 Personal fall protection systems, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 10 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(d) Personal fall arrest systems — 62 citations
(1) System performance criteria. In addition to the general requirements in paragraph (c) of this section, the employer must ensure that personal fall arrest systems: 8 citations
(i) Limit the maximum arresting force on the employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kN); 3 citations
(ii) Bring the employee to a complete stop and limit the maximum deceleration distance the employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.1 m); 3 citations
(iii) Have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of the employee free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8 m), or the free fall distance permitted by the system; and 1 citations
(iv) Sustain the employee within the system/strap configuration without making contact with the employee's neck and chin area. 1 citations
(v) If the personal fall arrest system meets the criteria and protocols in appendix D of this subpart, and is being used by an employee having a combined body and tool weight of less than 310 pounds (140 kg), the system is considered to be in compliance with the provisions of paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section. If the system is used by an employee having a combined body and tool weight of 310 pounds (140kg) or more and the employer has appropriately modified the criteria and protocols in appendix D, then the system will be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii).
(2) System use criteria. The employer must ensure that: Open (d)(2) 34 citations
(i) On any horizontal lifeline that may become a vertical lifeline, the device used to connect to the horizontal lifeline is capable of locking in both directions on the lifeline.
(ii) Personal fall arrest systems are rigged in such a manner that the employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m) or contact a lower level. A free fall may be more than 6 feet (1.8 m) provided the employer can demonstrate the manufacturer designed the system to allow a free fall of more than 6 feet and tested the system to ensure a maximum arresting force of 1,800 pounds (8 kN) is not exceeded. Open (d)(2)(ii) 34 citations
(3) Body belts. Body belts are prohibited as part of a personal fall arrest system. Open (d)(3) 20 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.140.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: TN (11), NV (7), OR (5), MA (4), OK (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JENKINTOWN BUILDING SERVICES, INC. | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $23,170 |
| DELTA STAR, INC. DBA DELTA STAR EAST | LYNCHBURG, VA | $16,287 |
| BERRY GLOBAL, INC | SPARKS, NV | $11,823 |
| SUN AUTO TIRE & SERVICE INC. | CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO | $11,585 |
| VAREX IMAGING CORPORATION | LAS VEGAS, NV | $11,292 |
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Related parts of this rule
- 1910.140(d)(2)(ii) 34 citations
- 1910.140(d)(2) System use criteria 34 citations
- 1910.140(d)(3) Body belts 20 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum arresting force allowed?
1,800 pounds (8 kN).
How far can a worker free fall?
Systems must be rigged so the employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m) or contact a lower level, with a limited exception in the rule for longer free falls.
What about workers over 310 pounds with tools?
For combined body and tool weight of 310 pounds or more, the employer must appropriately modify the appendix D criteria and protocols for the system to be deemed compliant.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.140 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-21
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.