ANSI Z359: What it means for MRO managers

by Craig Firl
North American technical manager, Capital Safety

A lot has been said about the recently passed update to ANSI Z359, the regulation governing requirements for fall protection equipment. If you haven’t experienced information overload, you may not be far off. Despite the amount of information that has been distributed on the new standards, the ‘how it affects me’ point may remain unclear. So presented below, in a straightforward format, are the main implications of the new standard that will affect businesses utilizing fall protection equipment in day-to-day operations.

Implication #1:
Fall protection equipment with integral carabiners and snaphooks will need to be replaced to be compliant with the 2007 version.

The strength requirements of carabiners and snaphooks that are integral, or built-in to fall protection equipment have been increased in the revised ANSI Z359.1-2007, Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components. The gate face of the hook must be able to withstand 3,600 pounds, up from 220 pounds; the side of the gate must be able to withstand 3,600 pounds, increased from 350 pounds; and the minor axis of a snaphook or carabiner must be able to withstand 3,600 pounds (except those with captive eyes), which is new to the Z359.1 standard. The tensile load that the snaphook or carabiner must be able to withstand will remain at 5,000 pounds.

Unfortunately, most equipment with integral snaphooks or carabiners will need to be replaced, as retrofitting these items with new hooks is not an option due to the assembly of the products. Some equipment, however, may be a good candidate for retrofitting. Depending on the product’s construction, hooks may be replaced on serviceable items such as self-retracting lanyards. Contact the equipment’s manufacturer to determine which equipment this may apply to.

This specific change to ANSI Z359.1 was made to make fall arrest equipment a better product. Although equipment that meets the standard in its previous form will protect workers in the event of a fall, provided that the equipment is used correctly, accidents can happen due to misuse, incompatibly matched elements and damaged equipment. One known cause of such accidents, forced rollout, can occur when a worker improperly ties off to something incompatibly shaped. The higher strength requirement of snaphooks and carabiners will greatly reduce forced rollout from occurring.

Implication #2:
Other lines of equipment that are now addressed in the standard will need to be replaced if they do not meet the requirements.

Prior to the publication of the new 2007 version of the ANSI family of standards, only personal fall arrest system components were addressed. Several other types of equipment have been added to the standard, including positioning and travel restraint systems, and assisted-rescue and self-rescue systems. Most newer equipment out there already meets the strength and mechanical requirements listed in the standards, but this should be verified by double checking specifications in the user manual with the requirements as laid out in the standards (a summary of the requirements can be found at Capital Safety’s Web site, www.capitalsafety.com, by clicking on ANSI Update).

Pay particular attention to the hardware components. Much of the equipment that is new to the standard contains one or multiple snaphooks or carabiners that must meet the increased strength requirements laid out in ANSI Z359.1. This includes self-retracting lanyard components with integral rescue capability, synthetic rope tackle blocks, descent devices and personnel hoists. Before completely replacing these items, check with the manufacturer to see if they can be retrofitted with new hooks.

Implication #3:
You may need to work with your safety director to prepare employees for the new equipment.

The new ANSI Z359.1 compliant hooks will be larger and slightly heavier, however the difference will be minimal. Operation of the snaphooks and carabiners and the equipment they are incorporated in will remain the same. Equipment will remain ergonomically friendly and employees should notice no difference in comfort.

There are, of course, further implications for safety directors, who will need to put together a comprehensive fall protection program, as required by ANSI Z359.2, and make sure employees and managers are trained and functioning at the appropriate level as outlined in the standard. These roles include:

Employers:
Responsible for drafting a policy statement that includes goals and guidance for a managed fall protection program. Requirements include:
• Appointing a program administrator
• Eliminating or controlling fall hazards
• Developing and maintaining fall protection and rescue procedures
• Providing fall protection equipment, knowledge and training
Program administrator:
Responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining and evaluating the fall protection program. Requirements include:
• Providing guidance to all others involved with the program
• Establishing a procedure to identify fall hazards
• Developing protection and rescue procedures
• Providing training
• Participating in incident investigations

Qualified person:
Supervises the design, selection, installation and inspection of fall protection equipment and participates in incident investigations.

Competent person:
Immediate supervisor of the fall protection program. Requirements include:
• Conducting fall hazard surveys, identifying potential hazards and stopping or limiting work at the hazard site
• Supervising selection and use of equipment
• Verifying that equipment is compliant and workers are trained
• Participating in investigations
• Conducting equipment inspections and removing damaged equipment from service

Authorized person:
Primary user of fall protection equipment. Requirements include:
• Alerting others of potentially hazardous conditions
• Properly inspecting, using, maintaining and storing equipment

Competent rescuer:
Develops rescue procedures, verifying that rescuers are adequately trained and rescue equipment is protected from damage, and evaluates rescue procedures and equipment.

Authorized rescuer:
Primary user of rescue equipment. Requirements include:
• Identifying hazards in the workplace where a rescue may occur
• Verifying that rescue procedures are in place
• Inspecting rescue equipment

Qualified person trainer, competent person trainer and competent rescuer trainer:
Must be knowledgeable in standards, regulations, equipment and systems for fall protection and rescue and must evaluate the knowledge and skills of those they train.

Within the new standard, refresher training is now required every year or two, depending on your job title. This is a significant change compared to previous versions of the standard that required all functions to physically demonstrate their designated competencies for fall protection.

Conclusion
As previously stated, the changes to ANSI Z359 were made to make fall protection equipment a better product, and thus, to keep workers safer. The outlook is that the new family of standards will drive higher rates of compliance because the added details provide a better understanding of how to select and use equipment to keep workers safe in all types of work environments. Increasing compliance by as little as one percentage point will protect thousands of workers and could potentially save hundreds of lives.

This article appeared in the April/May 2008 issue of MRO Today magazine. Copyright 2008.