What’s New in the ANSI Z359 Fall Protection Code - Part 5

As we have reviewed in “What’s New” parts 1 through 4, there are many new standards as of December 2011 in the Z359 Fall Protection Code. In this installment, we will review the recent release of Z359.13. This is the most significant new standard to come along in a while as the Energy Absorbing Lanyard, or “Rip Stitch” lanyard, is the most commonly used and ubiquitous piece of fall protection besides the harness.

Z359.13 is an equipment standard that covers the design and performance testing of fixed length energy absorbing lanyards and is called “Safety Requirements for Lanyards and Energy Absorbers for Personal Fall Arrest Systems”.

Besides being one the most common pieces of fall protection, rip stitch lanyards are unfortunately also the most misused piece of fall protection equipment. The most common misuse of the rip-stitch lanyard is when the operator attaches the 6 foot long lanyard to an anchorage that is below the elevation of his dorsal D-ring. Unfortunately, any time you tie off to anchorage below your dorsal D-ring with a 6 foot long lanyard, you will free fall more than 6 feet. Exceeding the 6 foot free fall distance results in not only an OSHA violation, but also a potential injury situation because the energy absorber is only designed to absorb a total of 6 feet of free fall energy. If you fall more than 6 feet you may rip through all of the energy absorbing capacity of the energy absorber and end up on the 5000 lb strength “back-up” strap. The back-up strap has no energy absorbing capability. The result is a quick and abrupt stop. Any residual energy will end up being absorbed by the human body, by damage to the internal organs or skeletal system.

In an effort to protect users in situations where they need to tie off at elevations below their D-ring, like at foot level, the fall protection industry has developed “12 foot free fall” lanyards. These rip stitch lanyards have extra energy absorbing capability for the additional energy associated with the longer 12 foot drop. They do this by allowing a longer deceleration distance and a slightly higher deceleration force.

The new “12 foot free fall” lanyards are required by ANSI Z359.13 to incorporate special “12 foot free fall” labels so that these special energy absorbing lanyards can be easily identified as different from the standard 6 foot free fall lanyards.

Any time a 12 foot free fall lanyard is placed into use, make sure there is sufficient fall clearance between the working level and the next lower level. Consult with the manufacturer’s instructions for proper fall clearance requirements.

I strongly encourage safety professionals to buy the full Z359 Fall Protection Code to gain the knowledge and expertise to identify and take advantage of this latest fall protection technology.

Stay tuned, there will be more to come as new standards are released!

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

Arnold Timothy Galpin, P.E.

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Arnie Galpin
Jan 03, 2012
11:41 AM

Dear Nat- Anytime. I am here to help any time you need me. Arnie
Nat Russell
Jan 03, 2012
10:29 AM

Appriciate the synopsis.