What must all fall arrest equipment do according to OSHA regulations?

The requirement for fall arrest equipment according to OSHA regulations involves thorough testing to ensure it can withstand the forces exerted during a fall. Specifically, fall arrest systems must be capable of effectively stopping a fall without causing injury to the user. This is where passing a drop test is crucial. A drop test simulates a fall scenario to verify that the equipment can adequately support and restrain a worker during a fall.

On the other hand, while durability is important for safety equipment, and conducting inspections before each use is essential for ensuring equipment is in good working order, these are not the primary tests mandated by OSHA for initial verification of equipment safety standards. Therefore, while proper inspection and durability assessments are necessary for ongoing safety, the critical regulatory requirement focuses on the ability of the fall arrest system, validated through drop tests, to perform under real-life conditions.