What is a personal fall arrest system (PFAS)?

ANSI/ASSE Z359.0 defines a PFAS as “an assembly of components and subsystems used to arrest a person in a free fall.” Typically, a PFAS consists of: [1] an anchorage device; [2] a full body harness; and [3] a connector. At the most basic level, the anchor attaches to the structure upon which the user is working. The harness contains the body of the user. The connector fastens the user’s harness to the anchor and manages the forces associated with the arrest.