Answer :
Final answer:
The minimum required anchorage strength for a worker attached to a horizontal lifeline with a tension of 5,000 lbs (22.2 kN) is 10,000 lbs (44.4 kN), following OSHA standards that require the anchorage to support at least twice the maximum intended load.
Explanation:
The question revolves around the minimum required anchorage strength when a worker falls while being attached to a horizontal lifeline, resulting in a tension of 5,000 lbs (22.2 kN). The context of safety in engineering, particularly in construction and mountain climbing, emphasizes the importance of understanding the forces at play and how they impact the safety measures taken.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards require that anchorages used for fall arrest systems must have a minimum strength capable of supporting at least twice the maximum intended load. Therefore, if the tension on the lifeline is 5,000 lbs (22.2 kN), the minimum required anchorage strength would need to be at least double this amount.
The correct answer to the question is b) 10,000 lbs (44.4 kN). This is based on the principle that the anchorage must provide a safety factor of at least 2, which is a standard practice in safety engineering to account for any unexpected increases in load or failures in other parts of the safety system.
