What does a basic fall arrest system include?

A basic fall arrest system is designed to safely stop a person from falling when working at heights. The key components of such a system are indeed an anchorage and a connecting device.

The anchorage is a secure point to which the fall protection system can be attached, ensuring that it can support the weight of a person in the event of a fall. This could be an element of the structure, such as a beam or a dedicated anchoring point, that has been tested and is capable of holding the necessary load.

The connecting device, typically a lanyard or lifeline, connects the personal fall protection equipment, such as a harness, to the anchorage. This connection controls the fall by limiting how far a person can fall and ensures they are safely secured before they can come into contact with the ground or another surface.

Other options like harness and ladder, barrier and warning signs, or scaffold and toe board do not provide a complete fall arrest system on their own. While those elements can play roles in overall safety, they do not meet the specific requirement for a fall arrest setup, which must include both an anchorage and a means of connection for effective fall protection.