What’s New in the ANSI Z359 Fall Protection Code - Energy Absorbing Lanyards

The ANSI Z359 Fall Protection Code committee has been hard at work releasing new Fall Protection standards to make your life easier and safer. A major release of new standards came out in 2007 and again in 2009. This new blog series called “What’s New in the ANSI Z359 Fall Protection Code” will address the new developments from ANSI that would be of interest to general industry and construction.

Fall Protection Code ANSI Z359.1, which has been the original fall protection code from 1992 until present, will slowly be phased out as the new ANSI standards Z359.0 and Z359.2 through Z359.18 will take its place. As of today’s date the following new standards have been released:

ANSI/ASSE Z359.0-2007: Definitions and Nomenclature Used for Fall Protection and Fall Arrest
ANSI/ASSE Z359.1-2007: Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components
ANSI/ASSE Z359.2-2007: Minimum Requirements for a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program
ANSI/ASSE Z359.3-2007: Safety Requirements for Positioning and Travel Restraint Systems
ANSI/ASSE Z359.4-2007: Safety Requirements for Assisted-Rescue and Self-Rescue Systems, Subsystems and Components
ANSI/ASSE Z359.6-2009: Safety Requirements & Specifications for Personal Fall Arrest Systems
ANSI/ASSE Z359.12-2009: Safety Requirements for Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems
ANSI/ASSE Z359.13-2009: Safety Requirements for Lanyards and Energy Absorbers for Personal Fall Arrest Systems

The all-new ANSI Z359.13 standard requires new labeling on energy absorbing lanyards (E.A.L), commonly called “rip-stitch” or “shock pack” lanyards. This is most important to users who need to tie off at foot level. It is very important to note that the attachment at foot level of a 72” energy absorbing lanyard will result in a free fall of about 12 feet. This causes a serious injury hazard if the worker is unknowingly using a lanyard capable of absorbing only a 6 foot free fall (the most common lanyard).

With the new labeling, the user will be able to easily identify the 12 foot free fall lanyard from the 6 foot free-fall lanyard (See Figures 1 & 2).

Figure 1. New label for Energy Absorbing Lanyards for a 6ft. free fall (the most common style of lanyard)

New 12ft. Energy Absorbing Lanyard Label

Figure 2. New Energy Absorbing Lanyard label for 12ft. free fall (typically required for foot level anchors)

Please note that the 6 foot free fall capable lanyard, that is 72” long, is only allowed when the tie-off point is at the D-ring elevation or higher (See Figure 3).

72 Inch Energy Absorbing Lanyard (E.A.L.)

Figure 3. When to use 6ft. free fall versus 12ft. free fall lanyard for a 72" lanyard

As ANSI standards continually evolve, please look for updates from the "What's new in the ANSI Z359 Fall Protection Code" blog series in the future.

Thanks for reading!

As always- Stay safe, and I am here if you need me…..

Arnold Timothy Galpin, P.E.

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May 17, 2012
07:04 AM

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