ANSI standards can be complicated to understand, and personal fall arrest systems are no exception. This blog will introduce ANSI standard Z359 for Fall Protection.
A personal fall arrest system in which a full body harness is used shall:
- produce a maximum arrest force of ≤ 1800lbs
- Bring the fall to a complete stop with a deceleration distance of ≤ 42 inches
- In suspension, the angle of the body at rest shall be ≤30 degrees.
Snap hooks and carabiners shall:
- Be self closing and locking, capable of being opened only by at least 2 consecutive, deliberate actions
The harness shall:
- provide support for the body across the lower chest, over the shoulders and around the thighs
- Have a dorsal attachment
- Prevent fall out
Energy absorbers and lanyards serve the function of dissipating the kinetic energy generated by a fall. It reduces the impact and speed and the consequences of a fall in the absence of safety elements. They shall not exceed a max arrest force of 1800 lbs
Two distinct classes based on application:
- Class A: Intended for a free fall of ≤ 6 ft
- Class B: Intended for a free fall that can reach UP TO 12 ft. Usually when a worker cannot tie overhead and must connect to a anchor structure at their feet.
- Max deployment distance is 60 in
Self Retracting Devices
SRDs consist of a retractable cable that allows more mobility to a worker. Should a worker fall, SRDs have internal breaking systems that activate to arrest the fall.
Type:
- SRL – Self Retracting Lifeline
- SRL-P – Personal Use – meant for individual use and mounted onto a full body harness
- SRL-R – Rescue – a mechanical fall arrester with the added function of rescue and retrieval post-fall arrest, by raising or lowering a fall-arrested user to safety.
Class: defined by dorsal attachment anchorage point
- Class 1 – anchor at or above the D-Ring, subjected to ≤2ft fall.
- Class 2 – Anchor at, above or up to 5ft below and subjected to ≤6ft fall over an edge. All class 2s are leading edge.
Static strength of an SRL shall withstand a tensile load of 3000lbs statically applied directly to the point of SRL line connection to SRL drum.
Dynamic Performance:
- The SRL shall lock and remain locked until released.
- The arrest distance shall not exceed 54 inches.
- The max arrest force shall not exceed 1800lbs
Browse all fall protection here.
Learn more about conventional fall protection types here.
