What is a personal fall arrest system?

In the construction standard, 29 CFR 1926.500, a personal fall arrest system arrests an employee in a fall from a working level. It consists of an anchorage, connectors and a body belt or harness, and may include a lanyard, deceleration device or lifeline. Body belts are prohibited for fall arrest.

By Cairn. Updated October 29, 2026. Sources: eCFR text as of October 27, 2026.

The legal definitions

Construction, 29 CFR 1926.500

“Personal fall arrest system means a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a working level. It consists of an anchorage, connectors, a body belt or body harness and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or suitable combinations of these. As of January 1, 1998, the use of a body belt for fall arrest is prohibited.”

29 CFR 1926.500(b), definition of “Personal fall arrest system”. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.

General industry, 29 CFR 1910.140

“Personal fall arrest system means a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a walking-working surface. It consists of a body harness, anchorage, and connector. The means of connection may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a suitable combination of these.”

29 CFR 1910.140(b), definition of “Personal fall arrest system”. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.

Scaffolds, 29 CFR 1926.450

“Personal fall arrest system means a system used to arrest an employee's fall. It consists of an anchorage, connectors, a body belt or body harness and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or combinations of these.”

29 CFR 1926.450(b), definition of “Personal fall arrest system”. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.

Where it applies

29 CFR 1926.501, Duty to have fall protection 15 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR.
29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices 13 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR.
29 CFR 1926.451, Scaffolds: General requirements 12 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR. Not the same definition: 29 CFR 1926.450(b) defines it for scaffolds as a system used to arrest an employee's fall, without "from a working level" and without the sentence that prohibits body belts. Quoted above.
29 CFR 1910.140, Personal fall protection systems 10 paragraphs use the term. Read the text on eCFR. Not the same definition: General industry defines the system with a body harness, anchorage and connector, and no body belt. Quoted above.

In the enforcement record

Federal and state-plan agencies issued 13,380 cited violations under 29 CFR 1926.502, Fall protection systems criteria and practices, from January 2016 through September 10, 2026. The section ranks 20th among the 248 sections of 29 CFR cited at least 50 times. This is the count for the whole section, not for the term alone.

Cairn data, October 2026 snapshot.

See the full record for 29 CFR 1926.502

Related terms

Anchorage In construction, a secure point of attachment for lifelines, lanyards or deceleration devices.
Guardrail system In construction, a barrier erected to prevent employees from falling to lower levels.
Leading edge In construction fall protection, the edge of a floor, roof or formwork that changes location as more sections are placed, formed or constructed.
Competent person In construction, someone who can identify existing and predictable hazards and has authorization to take prompt corrective measures.
Qualified person In construction, someone with a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or extensive knowledge, training and experience, who has shown an ability to solve problems on the work.
Scaffold Any temporary elevated platform, supported or suspended, and its supporting structure, used to support employees or materials.

All terms in the OSHA glossary

Sources

29 CFR 1926.500, Scope, application, and definitions applicable to this subpart. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.
29 CFR 1910.140, Personal fall protection systems. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.
29 CFR 1926.450, Scope, application and definitions applicable to this subpart. eCFR, text as of October 27, 2026.
Cairn data, October 2026 snapshot. Cairn analysis of the OSHA enforcement record.

Written by Cairn, updated October 29, 2026. The quoted text is copied from the sources above. A test compares each quotation with a stored copy of the source, and a separate script compares that copy with the live sources. This page explains the law and is not legal advice.