Which statement is consistent with safety guidelines for fall protection?

• A. Shoulder D-rings are appropriate for fall arrest
• B. The sternal D-ring is a general purpose anchor for any distance
• C. The dorsal D-ring, pigtail D-ring, or web loop are the primary fall arrest attachments
• D. A belt can substitute for a harness in fall protection

Answer: (C)

In fall protection, you use anchor points that are specifically rated for arrest and positioned to keep you in a safe posture during a fall. The dorsal D-ring on a full-body harness is the primary anchor for fall arrest because it sits at your back and aligns with your center of gravity, allowing the force of a fall to be distributed through the harness rather than concentrated on the chest or shoulders. Some harness systems also provide alternative primary fall-arrest attachments, such as a pigtail D-ring or a web loop, which are designed and rated for fall arrest when used with the appropriate lanyards. This is why those attachments are considered acceptable as primary fall-arrest points. In contrast, a shoulder D-ring is intended for positioning, not fall arrest, and using it for arrest could shift dangerous forces to the shoulder and neck. A sternum (chest) D-ring concentrates load on the chest and is not suitable for fall arrest. A belt without a proper harness does not distribute forces safely and is not allowed for fall protection.