When a fall-arrest device is used, what precedes the breaking of a fall?

A free fall occurs just before the breaking of a fall when using a fall-arrest device. Initially, when a person falls, they experience free fall due to gravity. This phase continues until the fall-arrest system activates and begins to arrest the fall. Understanding this sequence is crucial in the context of fall protection as it emphasizes the importance of the free fall phase in assessing the forces involved when a fall-arrest device begins to function.

Recognizing that free fall occurs before the activation of the device highlights the necessity of proper harness fitting and safe attachment practices. If the harness is not secured correctly, or if the tension is not managed properly, the effectiveness of the fall-arrest system can be compromised, possibly leading to injury during that free fall.