What does a shock-absorbing lanyard do during a fall?

A shock-absorbing lanyard is designed to reduce the impact forces on a worker's body during a fall. When a fall occurs, the lanyard's special construction allows it to gradually elongate, which helps to dissipate the energy generated by the fall. This gradual absorption of kinetic energy slows the deceleration forces on the worker, reducing the risk of severe injury.

The primary function of a shock-absorbing lanyard is to provide just enough slack to cushion the fall effectively, ensuring that the force experienced by the individual is minimized. This cushioning effect is vital for protecting the worker's body, particularly in preventing severe trauma to the spine and other critical areas.

While other options mention securing the worker, providing cushioning, or allowing movement, they don't accurately capture the critical role of energy absorption during a fall, which is the main purpose of a shock-absorbing lanyard. Thus, the focus on how the lanyard absorbs fall forces makes this choice the most accurate in describing its function during an incident.