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ByDesignAMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS www.asse.org
A TECHNICAL PUBLICATION OF ASSE’S ENGINEERING PRACTICE SPECIALTY
ANSI/ASSE Z359, the nationalvoluntary consensus fall protec-tion equipment standard for gen-
eral industry, is considered a benchmarkstandard, one that has been incorporatedinto many industrial fall protection pro-grams. It was last updated in 1999, andthen only with minor editorial revisions.The five new standards—which will beavailable soon as the ANSI/ASSE Z359fall protection code—contain manyimportant new requirements. This articlehighlights those changes and additions,which will affect many U.S. employers,workers, SH&E professionals, manufac-turers and other stakeholders.
ANSI/ASSE Z359:A Family of StandardsThe scope of ANSI/ASSE Z359 hasexpanded beyond fall arrest into otherwork applications. The five standardsencompassed by the new code continueto adhere to the “systems approach” ofthe original 1992 edition:
•Z359.0: Definitions andNomenclature Used for Fall Protectionand Fall Arrest
•Z359.1: Safety Requirements for
Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystemsand Components
•Z359.2: Minimum Requirements fora Comprehensive Managed FallProtection Program
•Z359.3: Safety Requirements forPositioning and Travel Restraint Systems
•Z359.4: Safety Requirements forAssisted-Rescue and Self-RescueSystems, Subsystems and Components
Z359.0: Definitions & NomenclatureThis standard functions as a dictionary of
specialized terms compiled from the otherfour standards. It defines each of nearly 150terms used throughout the code, from “acti-vation distance” to “working line.”
Z359.1: Safety Requirementsfor Personal Fall Arrest Systems,Subsystems & ComponentsThis standard contains product design cri-teria and test procedures for fall arrestcomponents, subsystems and systems.
Key ChangesSeveral key changes have been made
to Z359.1.1) Gate strength requirements have
increased for snaphooks and carabin-
ANSI/ASSE Z359 FALLPROTECTION CODERevisions StrengthenBenchmark Consensus StandardBy Joseph Feldstein
ByDesignAMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS www.asse.org
continued on page 2
Falls remain one of the leading causesof on-the-job injuries and fatalities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of LaborStatistics, in 2005, there were 255,750non-fatal injuries involving falls in pri-vate industry and 735 fatalities. The newstandards included in the code provideorganizations with a comprehensiveresource for protecting workers at height.
The code, which applies to anyoneworking at height, includes the followingnew standards:
•ANSI/ASSE Z359.0-2007: Defini-tions and Nomenclature Used for FallProtection and Fall Arrest
•ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-2007: SafetyRequirements for Personal Fall ArrestSystems, Subsystems and Components
•ANSI/ASSE Z359.2-2007: MinimumRequirements for a ComprehensiveManaged Fall Protection Program
•ANSI/ASSE Z359.3-2007: SafetyRequirements for Positioning and TravelRestraint Systems
•ANSI/ASSE Z359.4-2007: SafetyRequirements for Assisted-Rescue andSelf-Rescue Systems, Subsystems andComponents
The package also includes a copy ofANSI/ASSE Z359.1-1992 (R1999).
We would like to thank ASSE for itswork as secretariat of the Z359 ASC, andwe commend the entire Z359 ASC forits efforts in bringing the Z359 Fall Protec-tion Code to fruition.We wish you successin using this code as part of your compre-hensive managed fall protection program.
Randall Wingfield, Chair, Z359 ASC
Basil Tominna, Vice Chair, Z359 ASC
ers. The 1999 standard requires a test for220 lb force against the gate face and 350lb force against the side of the gate. Thegate mechanism may not disengage fromthe nose of the snaphook or carabiner.The new standard increases the strengthrequirement to 3,600 lb in all directionsof potential loading to the gate. Test pro-cedures will change to exert static loadson the gate face, gate side and frominside the gate outward, forcing the gateaway from the nose of the device.
2) The standard includes a frontattachment element for fall arrest. Theold standard states that only the dorsal(back) D-ring may be used for attachmentof a personal fall arrest system. The revisedstandard includes attachment of the fallarrest system to a front-mounted D-ring,located approximately in the area of thesternum. However, connection at the frontD-ring is limited to systems that restrict freefall distance to 2 ft or less and limit themaximum fall arrest loads on the front D-ring to 900 lb of force or less. This will beparticularly useful in products selected byclimbers and rope access workers.
3) The standard includes additionaltesting and warnings for twin-legshock-absorbing lanyards. Concernsover potential misuse of twin-leg shock-absorbing lanyards prompted additionaltest requirements and warnings for theseproducts, which were not mentioned inthe 1999 version. The new standardincludes a 5,000 lb static test of the jointbetween the two lanyard legs.
The standard also requires that the prod-uct label include a warning to attach onlythe center snaphook to the back D-ring ofthe harness. More warnings will be includ-ed in user instructions, such as a warningnot to attach the unused leg of the lanyardto any point on the harness except attach-ment points specifically approved by theharness manufacturer for that purpose.
Z359.2: Minimum Requirementsfor a Comprehensive ManagedFall Protection Program This entirely new standard is directed atemployers and SH&E professionalsrather than product manufacturers. Thenew program standard contains detailedrequirements for a comprehensive fallprotection program.
The scope of this new comprehensivefall protection program standard identifiesthe standard as a guideline for employerswith new or existing fall protection pro-grams. The purpose of a comprehensiveprogram is to:
•identify, evaluate and eliminate (orcontrol) fall hazards through planning;
•ensure proper training of personnel;•ensure proper installation and use of
fall protection and rescue equipment;•implement safe fall protection and
rescue procedures.Z359.2 does not apply to the construc-
tion industry (SIC Division C), which isserved by ANSI/ASSE A10.32-2004.
The standard emphasizes endorsementof the employer’s fall protection programby company management. Its sets outclear, unambiguous duties and responsibili-ties for each program participant, includingemployers, program administrator, quali-fied person, competent person, authorizedperson, competent rescuer, authorized res-cuer and trainers. Training also is definedfor each role in the organization, as are therequirements for the trainers themselves.
Training & EvaluationsTraining—from administrators, safetyengineers and supervisors to at-risk work-ers and rescue personnel—is addressedextensively in this standard. This focus isbased on years of experience among theZ359 Committee members and their firm-ly held belief that without proper trainingfall protection equipment and proceduresare inadequate to the task of reducingworker injury and death.
To that end, Z359.2 sets goals for achiev-ing improved training practices throughoutthe industry. It incorporates by referenceANSI/ASSE Z490.1, Criteria for AcceptedPractices in Safety, Health and Environ-mental Training. Z359.2 and Z490.1 provideemployers with a comprehensive roadmap toenhanced fall protection training.
Fall Protection ProceduresThis section details general and specificrequirements for fall protection proce-dures. The procedural scheme is basedaround the fall hazard survey report,which is to be written by a trained safetyprofessional at the qualified person orcompetent person level. The report willidentify each fall hazard at the work loca-tion, then recommend appropriate con-trols for each identified fall hazard.
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ByDesign is a publication of ASSE’s EngineeringPractice Specialty, 1800 E. Oakton St., Des Plaines,IL 60018, and is distributed free of charge to mem-bers of the Engineering Practice Specialty. The opin-ions expressed in articles herein are those of theauthor(s) and are not necessarily those of ASSE.Technical accuracy is the responsibility of theauthor(s). Please send address changes to theaddress above; fax to (847) 768-3434; or send via e-mail to [email protected].
ByDesign
Engineering Practice Specialty
2 �� Special Edition �� Z359 Fall Protection Code
ANSI/ASSE Z359continued from page 1
Fall Protection HierarchyIn descending order of preference, thehierarchy is as follows:
•Elimination or substitution. For exam-ple, eliminate a hazard by lowering thework surface to ground level, or substitute aprocess, sequence or procedure so thatworkers no longer approach a fall hazard.
•Passive fall protection. Isolate or sep-arate the hazard or work practice fromworkers through the use of guardrails or bycovering exposed floor openings.
•Fall restraint. Secure the worker toan anchor using a lanyard short enough toprevent the worker’s center of mass fromreaching the fall hazard.
•Fall arrest. This includes systemsdesigned to stop a worker’s fall after afall has begun.
•Administrative controls. These workpractices or procedures signal or warn aworker to avoid approaching a fall hazard.
Design Requirements for FallProtection Systems in New FacilitiesThis section addresses concerns for the con-trol of fall hazards in new facilities by goingupstream—to the architects and engineerswho design new plants, factories and otherbuildings. The standard provides guidelinesfor designers to eliminate or control fallhazards during the facilities planning stage,when the cost of doing so is the least bur-densome to building owners and occupants.This is a concept widely taught yet rarelypracticed in the building industry.ANSI/ASSE Z359.2 enters into the record apractical, cost-effective method to reducefall hazards in new buildings that will influ-ence safety practices for the next generation.
Anchor SystemsZ359.2 establishes strength criteria for var-ious fall protection anchors, simplifying inone standard the design requirements forfall arrest, horizontal lifelines, work posi-tioning, travel restraint and rescue systems.
Fall Arrest•Noncertified anchor: 5,000 lbf static
strength.•Certified anchor: designed, selected
and installed by qualified person; staticstrength two times maximum arrestingforce.
Work Positioning•Noncertified anchor: 3,000 lbf static
strength.•Certified anchor: static strength two
times foreseeable force.
Restraint & Travel Restriction•Noncertified anchor: 1,000 lbf static
strength.•Certified anchor: static strength two
times foreseeable force.
Rescue Systems•Noncertified anchor: 3,000 lbf static
strength.•Certified anchor: static strength five
times the applied load.In each case, anchors are divided into
two categories—certified and noncertified.Certified anchors are those that have beenselected under the supervision of a qualifiedperson who documents—by a process oftesting or analysis by a nationally acceptedengineering methodology—and attests totheir capacity.
Noncertified anchors are those that acompetent person can judge to be capableof supporting the predetermined anchorforces prescribed by the standard. Fallprotection systems connected to noncerti-fied anchors must, in all cases, limitpotential free fall distance to 6 ft or lessand be equipped with an energy-absorb-ing device that limits maximum arrestforces to 900 lb or less.
Rope AccessZ359.2 addresses—for the first time in anational consensus standard—the systemof work referred to as rope access. Ropeaccess is a growing practice involvingskilled rope techniques to access workwhile suspended vertically. The standardrecognizes and codifies basic principlesfor this work practice, including the useof two rope lines and the need to operateas a multiworker team. Thus, the standardbreaks new ground, bringing rope accesswithin the fall protection community andadding national recognition to this impor-tant practice.
Rescue ProceduresNo fall protection program would becomplete without provisions for promptrescue after a worker has fallen andremains suspended, unable to evacuatehim/herself to a safe working level.Planning for prompt rescue means gettingto the rescue subject within 6 minutesafter an accidental fall. This takes plan-ning and coordination.
If the rescue plan calls for assistance byprofessional rescue services, such as thefire department or local search-and-rescueteams, then advance planning is needed.
Involvement of outside services logicallymust occur before an actual emergency,and should include a documented plan andwritten confirmation by the rescue agency.
If an in-house rescue team is in theplan, then team members must be trainedand equipped for the task, including regu-larly scheduled simulations and document-ed plans and instructions for their use.
Incident InvestigationsA comprehensive managed fall protectionprogram also should include requirementsfor incident investigation in the event ofaccidental death, injury or property dam-age. To be effective, these investigationsmust be conducted promptly, with well-established reporting procedures and doc-umented results.
Evaluating Program EffectivenessRegular evaluation of the effectiveness ofthe managed fall protection program is acritical component in eliminating andcontrolling fall hazards. This involves acontinuous process of building on pro-gram strengths and correcting deficien-cies. The evaluations should examine theprogram to determine whether it hasaccomplished its objectives and whetherthey have been achieved according to thewritten program. Part of continuousimprovement includes regularly sched-uled program reviews and drills, such asrescue drills.
Z359.3: Safety Requirementsfor Positioning & Travel RestraintSystemsThis is another all-new standard. It estab-lishes minimum design and test require-ments for equipment used in workpositioning and travel restraint.
Before examining the product require-ments, let’s review what these termsmean:
•Work positioning is defined as “sup-porting a worker on a vertical surfacewhile working with hands free.” Workpositioning systems are designed to preventa fall from occurring. When a fall hazard ispresent, positioning systems must be usedin conjunction with a separate and inde-pendent personal fall arrest system.
•Travel restraint is defined as “limit-ing a worker’s travel in such a mannerthat s/he cannot reach a fall hazard zone.”Restraint systems do not support a por-
By Design �� 3
continued on page 5
4 �� Special Edition �� Z359 Fall Protection Code
Falls continue to be a leading cause ofwork-related injuries and fatalities.Like many other hazards, addressing
falls in the workplace requires a multidisci-plinary strategy. “Fall protection is verycomplex,” explains Tracey Riepenhoff, man-aging principal of LJB Inc. in Lima, OH. “Abig part of the challenge is getting all of thepeople who need to be involved involved toaddress the issues.”
It’s further complicated by the fact thatpeople often think just in terms of anchor-ages. “The reality of putting together anoverall effective program is more than justputting up anchorages,” she says. “You alsohave to make sure that your workers areadequately trained. You have to make sureyou have the proper policy in place. Andwith respect to fall arrest, you have toaddress rescue, something that often getsoverlooked.”
Terminology is another area where con-fusion can enter the equation. It’s best to usefall protection as an all-encompassing term,Riepenhoff says. “Essentially, it’s ‘how arewe protecting our employees from a fall.’”Fall restraint, she continues, is about keep-
ing the worker from reaching the edge sothat s/he never goes through a fall. “To helppeople visualize this concept, we sometimestalk in terms of a dog leash—it holds youback from the edge,” she says.
“Fall arrest/anchorage is about protectingthe worker should a fall occur,” sheexplains. “S/he would experience forcesthrough the whole body and then be hang-ing there waiting for rescue. People alsoneed to keep in mind that there are two ele-ments of a rescue: There’s the fall itself andthe ‘rescue’ by the anchorage—meaning itheld the worker. But then you have to rescuethe worker down to safety.”
Look for Hazards &Involve, Train Employees
Like most safety efforts, risk identifica-tion and assessment play a crucial role infall protection. According to Riepenhoff,prioritizing the hazards identified is a keyelement of that process. “We can look atequipment and facilities and know where atypical worker needs to get to, but it’salways important as you are assessing the
hazards to understand, for example, whetherthe worker has to get up there monthly,every 5 years, every day. So it’s not justabout identifying the hazards, but also aboutprioritizing them.”
Prioritizing also helps keep the task man-ageable. “Fall protection can be overwhelm-ing when you begin to identify all of thehazards,” Riepenhoff cautions. “So the mes-sage has to be that you can’t fix every haz-ard overnight. But if you identify them andprioritize them, then you can systematicallywork through that list toward making theworkplace safer.”
Involving the at-risk employees is alsoimportant, she says. “If you can involvethem not just in identification but also in theprocess of determining the best solution,they will accept it more willingly.”
You also have to be sure they know howto recognize and respond to fall hazards. “Itreally comes down to training,” Riepenhoffsays. “Employees need to know how to rec-ognize and acknowledge when they are in asituation of risk. If they are properly trainedto identify the risk and know that an overallprogram is in place, they will systematically
know what to do when theyencounter a fall hazard.”
Selecting the Best SystemSo what questions should be
asked by an SH&E practitioneraddressing a fall protection project?Riepenhoff offers these as goodstarting points: 1) Do we have theright people in the organization prop-erly trained at all levels? 2) Do wehave a policy in place that addresseshow we are going to deal with fallhazards? 3) Have we identified thefall hazards that exist at our facility?4) Are we systematically abatingthose hazards in a prioritized way?
Riepenhoff also points to the newANSI/ASSE Z359.2 standard as akey resource. “The standard is abouta comprehensive managed fall pro-tection program,” she explains. “Itprovides a guidance tool to helpthose involved understand what goesinto an effective program. It address-es all of the elements, from policy totraining to hazard identification andabatement, to rescue—the wholegamut of things that you need to bethinking about to develop an effec-tive program.”
Understanding AnchoragesAt ASSE’s Safety 2007 conference, Tracey Riepenhoff delivered a session titled “Fall Protection:Certified vs. Noncertified Anchorages.” During the session, she explained the limitations and risksinvolved with using both certified and noncertified anchorages.
When considering how to protect an employee from a fall, Riepenhoff said it is important to under-stand the differences in the five types of anchorages: fall arrest, work positioning, travel restraint, hori-zontal lifeline and rescue. (ANSI/ASSE Z359 defines each type and provides distinct loading requirementsfor each.) In all cases, Riepenhoff noted, “if a solution with anchorages and PPE is chosen, it is critical tofully understand the requirements for and differences between certified and noncertified anchorages ofall types.”
According to ANSI/ASSE Z359, a certified anchorage is one where there is documentation that thesystem meets the requirements of the standard and where the anchorage is identified and the systemdesigned by a qualified person. A noncertified anchorage is one that a competent person can judge tobe capable of supporting the predetermined anchorage forces and that incorporates an energy-absorbing device.
Riepenhoff explained that a competent person is one who identifies existing, foreseeable and pre-dictable hazards and has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate such hazards.Other responsibilities include supervision of work at heights, inspection of equipment and training ofauthorized persons. She explained that with ANSI/ASSE Z359’s definition of noncertified anchorages,competent persons will be asked to take on the added responsibility of “judging” what is capable ofsupporting specific loading criteria.
Beyond the type of anchorage and whether you are using the certified or noncertified anchorageapproach, Riepenhoff noted that many factors must be considered when evaluating a structure foranchorage loading. These include vertical and horizontal loads, predetermined fixed loads and vari-able loads. In addition, one must consider the “bad day” scenario—what would happen if the compe-tent person selected a noncertified anchorage that could not support the required load? What is themode of failure of the structure? Is it a steel structure that might show some yielding first before com-plete collapse? What might be hit in the path of the fall that could cause additional injury to theworker? What about a failure that causes the release of hazardous materials—as in the case of anattachment to a filled pipe? What kind of downtime would be involved to repair the structure andhow would that affect production or deadlines? Given all these factors, she advised that serious con-sideration must be given to the training, tools and responsibilities given to the competent person inthe use of a noncertified anchorage.
“When abatement includes anchorages and PPE, a full understanding of the requirements is criti-cal,” Riepenhoff concluded. “These requirements are not only about structural capacity of the anchor-ages and their supports, but include other important issues such as total fall distance, equipmentinspection and compatibility, training and procedures. While it may not be possible to have all anchor-ages certified by a qualified person, it is important to enlist a qualified person to prepare documenta-tion and provide guidance to competent persons.”
Fall Protection: Systematic Approach Is Key
tion of the worker’s weight. They areused only on walking/working surfaceswith a slope between 0 and 18.4 degrees.
Full-Body HarnessesFull-body harnesses must meet therequirements of ANSI/ASSE Z359.1 forfall arrest. In addition, the work position-ing and travel restraint attachment ele-ments (D-rings) must withstand adynamic strength test consisting of a 3.3ft free fall with a 220 lb test weight.
Work Positioning & TravelRestraint LanyardsLanyards under this section must bedesigned and tested to withstand a staticload of 5,000 lbf without breaking.
Z359.4: Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue & Self-RescueSystems, Subsystems & Components Another entirely new standard, this docu-ment includes minimum design and testrequirements for equipment used in rescueand retrieval of workers after a fall.
This new standard establishes require-ments for design, performance, marking,qualification, instruction, training, use,maintenance and removal from service ofproducts used in rescue and evacuation.Equipment covered includes connectors,harnesses, lanyards, anchorage connectors,winches/hoists, descent control devices,rope tackle blocks and self-retracting lan-yards with integral rescue capability.
The standard is directed at rescue sys-tems used in preplanned rescue applica-tions for one to two persons at a timewhere a fall hazard exists. Exceptionsinclude construction, sports-related activi-ties, rope access rescue techniques used bycertified rescue technicians or other tasksthat already have established national con-sensus standards. A competent person mustdetermine suitability of equipment in thisstandard for activities conducted in haz-ardous atmospheres.
The standard does not preclude trainedrescue professionals, such as fire servicerescue teams, from using the equipmentwhen desired. However, the standard isnot specifically intended for products tobe used in emergency rescue situationswhere equipment is covered by otherstandards, such as NFPA 1983 Standardfor Life Safety Equipment.
As far as system requirements, for aone-person rescue system, capacity is 130to 310 lb; for a two-person rescue system,capacity is 160 to 600 lb. In addition,connectors must meet the requirements ofANSI/ASSE Z359.1.
Full-Body HarnessesHarnesses under this section must meetall requirements of ANSI/ASSE Z359.1for full-body harnesses. The dorsal (back)D-ring is suitable for rescue applicationsunless otherwise prohibited by the manu-facturer. Other rescue/retrieval attach-ments must meet the following criteria:
•3,600 lb static load test;•dynamic test with a 2.0 ft free fall dis-
tance with a 220-lb test weight.
Evacuation HarnessesEvacuation harnesses are for rescue
only, not for fall arrest. They must secure-ly hold the body whether the person isconscious or unconscious. Body supportmust be accomplished by a combinationof webbing straps supporting the bodyaround the shoulders and thighs.
Rescue Lanyards& Anchorage ConnectorsThese components of the rescue systemmust meet the applicable requirements forlanyards and anchorage connectingdevices in ANSI/ASSE Z359.1.
Self-Retracting Lanyard Componentwith Integral Rescue CapabilityThese devices must meet several criteria:
•engage in rescue mode at any time;•not possible to inadvertently change
to or from rescue mode;•raise or lower with minimum 3:1
mechanical advantage;•in rescue mode, automatically stops
and holds a load if rescuer relinquishescontrol;
•features a means to stabilize deviceduring use in rescue mode;
•may be manually operated or poweredwith speed control and manual back-up;
•static strength of 3,100 lbf;•must raise, lower and hold the load
while carrying 125% of maximum capac-ity and 75% of minimum capacity.
Synthetic Rope Tackle BlockSeveral criteria must be met:•synthetic rope with minimum break-
ing strength of 4,500 lb tensile;•static strength of 3,100 lbf;•able to withstand a 2 ft free-fall with
a 220-lb weight and continue to function;
•can raise, lower and hold a load;•features a secondary brake to prevent
uncontrolled lowering;•has a minimum mechanical advantage
of 3:1.
Descent DevicesThe standard contains several criteria forthese devices as well:
•single and multiple-use devices;•automatic and manually controlled;•descent speed between 1.6 ft/sec and
6.6 ft/sec;•static strength of 2,700 lbf;•able to withstand a 2 ft free-fall with a
220-lb test weight and continue to function;•must be able to lower at a controlled
rate;•manually controlled devices must
stop descent if control is released or ifexcessive pressure is applied (panic grab).
Traditional sports-climbing descen-ders, such as figures-of-eight and racksare outside the scope of this standard.
Personnel HoistsThese hoists must meet several criteria:
•manually operated or powered by anexternal power source;
•powered units must have manualback-up cranking capability;
•raise and lower with a maximumforce to operate of 30 lb;
•static strength of 3,100 lb exerted attermination of the line on the drum.
Functional criteria include 1) the abili-ty to stop and hold a load; and 2) a back-up brake system.
Value of the Fall Protection CodeThe ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Protection
Code addresses a critical need for guid-ance in creating fall protection programs.Delineation of clear lines of authority andresponsibility, detailed job planning andexpanded training requirements are keyamong its guidance. The scope of thestandards has expanded as well to includeadditional work tasks and equipmenttypes. Lastly, the ANSI/ASSE Z359 FallProtection Code improves strength andperformance of products intended to pro-tect worker safety and health. �
Joseph Feldstein is manager of technical servicesfor MSA. He is a member of ASSE’s ColoradoChapter and a member of the Society’s Engineer-ing Practice Specialty. Feldstein is a member ofthe ANSI/ASSE Z359 Accredited Standards Com-mittee and chair of the U.S. Technical AdvisoryGroup to the ISO Fall Protection Technical Com-mittee (ISO TC94/SC4).
By Design �� 5
ANSI/ASSE Z359continued from page 3
6 �� Special Edition �� Z359 Fall Protection Code
On April 23, 2007, the Z359.2 stan-dard for managed fall protectionreceived final ANSI approval. On
May 31, 2007, ANSI approved Z359.0,Z359.1, Z359.3 and Z359.4. These stan-dards will be available soon and will havean effective date of October 15, 2007.Many members have asked how the stan-dards will impact the public and privatesectors. Use of national consensus stan-dards will be of increased importance asthe U.S. economy becomes more global.
National consensus standards reflect theinsights of the final end users and the opin-ions of professionals who work at all levelsof public and private sectors in technologydevelopment, safety and health, manufactur-ing, training, financial analysis, personneland academia. This balanced perspectiveenables standards to be crafted in a mannerthat benefits and protects standard users.
ASSE historically supports theincreased use of national consensus stan-dards in the formulation of occupationalsafety and health legislation. Governmentagencies such as OSHA, MSHA, CPSCand NHTSA should be encouraged to usethese standards in accordance with PublicLaw 104-113, “The National TechnologyTransfer and Advancement Act of 1995,”and the Office of Management and Budgetin its Circular A-119, “Federal Participa-tion in the Development and Use ofVoluntary Consensus Standards and inConformity Assessment Activities,” as theyprovide an efficient and effective alterna-tive to traditional public sector rulemaking.
BackgroundBefore ANSI approves an American
National Standard, it must verify that thestandards developer has met the require-ments for due process and consensus. Inthe judgment of the ANSI Board ofStandards Review, consensus is estab-lished when directly and materially affect-ed interests reach substantial agreement,which means more than a simple majoritybut not necessarily unanimity. Consensusalso requires that all views and objectionsbe considered and that a concerted effortbe made toward their resolution.
Use of American national standards iscompletely voluntary. Their existence doesnot in any respect preclude anyone whethers/he has approved the standards or not,from manufacturing, marketing, purchasing
or using products, processes or proceduresnot in conformance to the standards.
It should also be noted that ANSI doesnot develop standards and will under nocircumstances give an interpretation ofany American national standard.
The ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall ProtectionCode evolved from the continuing devel-opment of a fall protection standardseries. These standards tie the elements ofthe series together and provide tools thatemployers may use to develop programsthat incorporate such elements. They alsoaddress administrative requirements andapply to all occupational and non-occupa-tional activities except those in SICDivision C (construction). They do notapply to sports activities.
Neither the Z359 Committee nor theSecretariat states that these standards areperfect or in their ultimate form. Newdevelopments are to be expected, andrevision of the standards will be neces-sary as state-of-the-art technology pro-gresses and further experience is gained.However, it is felt that uniform guidelinesfor fall protection programs are neededand that the standards in their presentform provide the minimum criteria neces-sary to develop and implement a compre-hensive managed fall protection program.
The Z359 Committee acknowledges thecritical role of design in influencing the useof proper fall protection equipment. Designdeficiencies often increase the risk foremployees who may be exposed to fallhazards. Examples include:
1) lack of rail systems to prevent fallsfrom machines, equipment and structures;
2) failure to provide engineeredanchorages where use of personal fallarrest systems is anticipated;
3) no provision for safe access to ele-vated work areas;
4) installation of machines or equipmentat heights rather than at floor/ground levelto preclude access to elevated areas;
5) failure to plan for the use of travelrestriction or work positioning devices.
The standards also offer guidance ondesign considerations for new buildingsand facilities.
The standards incorporate basic fall safe-ty principles, including hazard survey, haz-ard elimination and control, and educationand training. They intend to ensure a proac-tive approach to fall protection. However,
they also address the reactive process ofaccident investigation to ensure that fall cau-sation receives adequate attention.
The code encompasses the followingstandards:
•ANSI/ASSE Z359.0-2007: Defini-tions and Nomenclature Used for FallProtection and Fall Arrest. Establishesthe definitions and nomenclature used forthe Z359 Fall Protection Code.
•ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-2007: SafetyRequirements for Personal Fall ArrestSystems, Subsystems and Components.Establishes requirements for the perform-ance, design, marking, qualification,instruction, training, inspection, use, main-tenance and removal from service of con-nectors, full-body harnesses, lanyards,energy absorbers, anchorage connectors,fall arresters, vertical lifelines and self-retracting lanyards comprising personal fallarrest systems for users within the capacityrange of 130 to 310 lb (59 to 140 kg).
•ANSI/ASSE Z359.2-2007: MinimumRequirements for a ComprehensiveManaged Fall Protection Program.Establishes guidelines and requirements foran employer’s managed fall protection pro-gram, including policies, duties and train-ing, fall protection procedures, eliminatingand controlling fall hazards, rescue proce-dures, incident investigations and evaluat-ing program effectiveness.
•ANSI/ASSE Z359.3-2007: SafetyRequirements for Positioning andTravel Restraint Systems. Establishesrequirements for the performance, design,marking, qualification, test methods andinstructions of lanyards and harnessescomprising personal positioning and trav-el restraint systems for authorized personswithin the capacity range of 130 lg to 310lg (59 kg to 140 kg).
•ANSI/ASSE Z359.4-2007: SafetyRequirements for Assisted-Rescue andSelf-Rescue Systems, Subsystems andComponents. Establishes requirements forthe performance, design, marking, qualifi-cation, instruction, training, use, mainte-nance and removal from service ofconnectors, harnesses, lanyards, anchorageconnectors, winches/hoists, descent controldevices, rope tackle blocks and self-retract-ing lanyards with integral rescue capabilitycomprising rescue systems used in pre-planned self-rescue and assisted-rescueapplications for one to two persons.
ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Protection Code Approved
EPS: What does the revisedANSI/ASSE Z359.1 standard include?
RW: The Z359.1 standard includesinformation on the design and testing ofspecific fall equipment items and addi-tional specifications for fall protectionprogram development, fall hazard assess-ment, key person responsibility, trainingand program maintenance. It alsoincludes information on work-positioningsystems and rescue systems, and featuresnew sections such as a comprehensiveguide for the development of a managedfall protection program.
The revised standard is designed to be aliving document that will change as indus-try and technology advance. It will offerthose interested in fall protection a com-prehensive document that will facilitatethe generation of a new fall protectionprogram or will augment an existing one.
EPS: How is third-party certification offall arrest and protection equipment per-formed? Why do you believe it is of valueto SH&E professionals?
RW: Third-party certification of equip-ment requires that each item of equip-ment be tested and sent to anindependent, unbiased outside testingorganization to determine whether theequipment meets the design and perform-ance requirements given in the standard.
Historically, ANSI has not requiredthird-party testing for fall protectionequipment. Therefore, manufacturers haveperformed their own testing and haveattested to the equipment’s compliancewith the standard. Since the testing meth-ods and standards may allow some inter-pretation, combined with the variation intesting abilities from one manufacturer toanother, inconsistencies have resulted. Thelack of unbiased third-party testing hasallowed items to be labeled as meeting theANSI standard when, in fact, they do not.
Most large equipment manufacturershave conducted third-party certificationfor years because their product lines aresold in other countries or in specificindustries that require it. This creates amarket that can be confusing for con-sumers because it is difficult to determinewhich items have been independentlytested and which have not. Third-partytesting is beneficial, not only for SH&Eprofessionals, but also for the entire
industry, as it standardizes test-ing and increases equipmentquality. If an independent organ-ization has tested equipmentaccording to a set standard,consumer confidence willincrease.
EPS: What measures will theASC take to ensure that stateand federal governments recog-nize the revised Z359.1 stan-dard? Do you anticipate any challenges?
RW: OSHA has participated in thedevelopment of Z359.1 since its concep-tion. Governing bodies recognizeadvancements in the industry, and recog-nition and acceptance of the standard byfederal and state governments will occurover time.
EPS: Do you believe the revisedZ359.1 standard should be recognized inother areas?
RW: The Z359.1 standard was notwritten with a specific industry in mind.We believe the standard has something tooffer every organization that encountersfall hazards. For example, the construc-tion industry could use the standard’shazard assessment sections, and the com-munications industry could benefit fromthe training sections.
EPS: What other projects does theZ359 ASC have in development?
RW: The Z359.1 committee is proud ofthe commitment that everyone has givento the revision of this standard during thepast four years. Although this standard isquite comprehensive, the committee plansto develop additional information for engi-neered systems (horizontal lifelines), hard-ware compatibility, rope access andrescue. These issues are scheduled asfuture projects for the committee.
By Design �� 7
Z359 ASC Chair’s Perspective on ANSI/ASSE Z359.1Randall Wingfieldis founder, president andCEO of Gravitec SystemsInc., a Bainbridge Island,WA-based firm that offers fallprotection education andtraining; engineering systemsdesign; industrial rescue;design and development ofcourses; training and engin-eering; and consulting in sys-tems design and equipmentpurchases. He has been
involved in the continuing development ofnational and international standards for fallprotection equipment and training, and ispresident of the International Society for FallProtection, chair of the ANSI Z359 Committee,and past vice chair of the Canadian StandardsAssociation Z259 Committee. Wingfield is amember of ASSE’s Puget Sound Chapter.
ANSI/ASSE Z359 Fall Protection Code
Is Now Available
Six standards • One price$299.99 ASSE Member
$379.99 AIHA/ACHMM • $459.99 non-member
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Like most things, fall protectionhas come a long way since the 1930s.
To order, call 847.699.2929 or visit www.asse.org
