Question E0A12:
Where should a shock-absorbing lanyard be attached to a tower when working above ground?  

Choices:  
A: Above the climber’s head level  
B: To the belt of the fall-arrest harness  
C: Even with the climber's waist  
D: To the next lowest set of guys    

Correct Answer is  A: Above the climber’s head level  

To minimize free-fall distance and swing hazards, attach the shock-absorbing lanyard to a strong anchorage point on the tower above your head. An overhead anchor keeps the system tight so the fall is arrested quickly with lower forces.

Why A is correct (Above the climber’s head level):
- Reduces free-fall distance before the energy absorber engages, lowering impact forces.
- Minimizes swing fall (pendulum) risk by keeping the anchor nearly vertical above you.
- Aligns with fall protection best practice: anchor at or above the dorsal D-ring.

Why the other choices are incorrect:
- B: To the belt of the fall-arrest harness  
  - The question asks where to attach on the tower, not to the climber. The lanyard connects from the harness (dorsal D-ring) to the tower anchor. Also, “belts” are obsolete; use a full-body harness with a dorsal D-ring.
- C: Even with the climber’s waist  
  - Waist-level anchoring increases free-fall distance, often beyond safe limits, and raises swing-fall risk.
- D: To the next lowest set of guys  
  - Never anchor to guy wires. They are not appropriate fall-arrest anchorages, can move, can damage the lanyard, and place the anchor below you, greatly increasing free-fall distance.

Useful rules of thumb and formulas:
- Keep the anchor at or above head height and as close to directly overhead as possible.
- OSHA/industry limits:  
  - Free-fall distance: $F_f \le 6\ \text{ft}$  
  - Deceleration distance (energy-absorbing lanyard): $D_d \le 3.5\ \text{ft}$  
  - Anchorage strength: $\ge 5000\ \text{lb}$ per worker (or engineered to 2× max arresting force)  
  - Max arresting force on a full-body harness: $\le 1800\ \text{lb}$
- Approximate clearance needed below feet during a potential fall:  
  $$C \approx F_f + D_d + H_s + S_m$$  
  where a typical $H_s \approx 1\ \text{ft}$ (harness/stretch/D-ring shift) and $S_m \approx 2\ \text{ft}$ (safety margin).  
  With an overhead anchor, $F_f$ is minimized, reducing $C$ and the chance of striking structure or ground.

Bottom line: Anchor above your head to keep falls short and forces low.