Falls from heights remain a leading cause of workplace fatalities in the construction industry. To prevent on-the-job injuries and fatalities in construction, it is crucial to stay updated on the latest ANSI standards for fall protection equipment and best practices. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a non-profit organization that oversees the voluntary standards and conformity assessment system in the United States. ANSI collaborates with industry and government stakeholders to develop standards and solutions for national and global priorities.
How Are ANSI Standards Developed?
The development of ANSI standards involves the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), a global association that supports occupational safety and health professionals in their efforts to prevent workplace injuries. Together with ANSI, a representative group of users, manufacturers, and other stakeholders, the ANSI/ASSP standards for fall protection are created.
ANSI/ASSP Z359 standards
The ANSI/ASSP Z359 standards specifically address fall protection equipment and systems for various fall hazards, including climbing, work positioning, fall arrest, rescue, and evacuation. These standards also cover training and hazard identification to prevent injuries when working at heights. One important standard within the Z359 series is ANSI/ASSP Z359.14, which focuses on Self Retracting Devices (SRDs). Originally published in 2012 and updated in 2014, this standard defined types and classes of SRDs. The latest edition, published in July 2021, introduces several updates to the types, classes, and performance requirements of SRDs.
ANSI Z359.14 updates
Types
The updates to ANSI/ASSP Z359.14 include the addition of a new type of SRD called Type SRL-P, which is compact enough to be worn on a full-body harness. The previous type, Type SRL-LE, has been removed and is now covered under the new classes of SRDs.
Class
The classes have been revised to separate overhead-only products (Class 1) from leading edge rated products (Class 2). These classes indicate the unit's ability to handle free fall and whether it has been tested for falls over an edge. The previous classes, A and B, have been removed.
Performance Requirements
Furthermore, the performance requirements for SRDs have been simplified. There are no longer multiple requirements based on class. Instead, SRDs must comply with specific limits for:
- Maximum Arrest Force: 1800 lbs.
- Average Arrest Force: <1350 lbs.
- Maximum Maximum Arrest Distance: 42 inches (1 m) in overhead tie-off configuration
Manufacturers were given an extended deadline (August 1, 2023) to comply with the latest edition of Z359.14.
Fall Protection That Meets ANSI Z359.14 updates
A&M Industrial offers a wide variety of fall protection, including self-retracting devices (SRDs) that meet updated ANSI Z359.14 updates. As a full line distributor of MSA Safety products, A&M Industrial's safety team can source the latest MSA Safety SRDs that meet ANSI Z359.14 updates, including their innovative V-Series V-SHOCK and V-TEC self-retracting lifelines (SRLs). For more information, contact our safety team or download the whitepaper below.
ANSI Z359.14 update Guide
Download MSA Safety's ANSI Standards for Self-Retracting Devices, and utilize this useful reference to see at a glance what has changed.
