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12/27/2022 UPDATE: On December 23, 2022, the ANSI/ASSP Z359 Committee approved a second 6-month extension to the effective date of ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 standard. The standard will now go into effect on August 1st, 2023.
This article aims to educate you about the changes to the ANSI Z359.14 Self-Retracting Devices standard ahead of the August 1, 2023, effective date so that you can prepare or adjust your fall protection plans.
On June 17, 2021, ANSI approved the new 2021 revision of Z359.14, Safety Requirements for Self-Retracting Devices (SRDs) for Personal Fall Arrest and Rescue Systems. This revision supersedes the 2014 version and goes into effect on August 1, 2023, which is an important date for ANSI compliance while using self-retracting devices. We will review the changes to the Z359.14 standard and cover the compliance timeline and what that means for the fall protection safety SRD equipment you are using today.
At a high level, the 2021 changes to the ANSI Z359.14 standard are designed to:
In the previous 2014 revision of Z359.14, SRDs were organized by type (SRL, SRL-R for devices with rescue/retrieval functions, or SRL-LE for leading edge capability) and class (Class A or Class B). The intent was to organize SRDs by features in "Type" and then by their overhead performance capability by "Class."
Both types and classes were overhauled in 2021: "types" are SRL, SRL-P for personal devices meant to be installed on the user's full body harness, or SRL-R for devices with rescue/retrieval functions, and "classes" are Class 1 or Class 2. The SRD class is now applied to acceptable anchorage locations. Class 1 devices are suitable for at or above dorsal D-ring anchorage locations. Class 2 devices are suitable for above, at, or up to 5 feet below the dorsal D-ring anchorage locations AND must be leading edge rated. So, if your jobsite has edge exposures and you need a leading edge SRL or SRL-LE, you will be looking for a Class 2 device in compliance with ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021!
The video below was released prior to the 6-month extension. The new deadline is now August 1, 2023.
With the type and class changes, Z359.14-2021 also introduced standard overhead performance criteria for all SRDs and standardized class labeling. Now, a worker will be able to quickly identify the suitable device for the hazards faced in their work zone.
In the 2012 and 2014 revisions of Z359.14, overhead performance criteria were defined by SRD class: Class A or Class B. In 2021, overhead performance will be standardized across all SRDs. The performance requirements are summarized in the table below:
All ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 compliant SRDs will have one of the markings below consistent with its class:
In addition to the Class 1 and Class 2 standard labels, all Class 2 SRLs must include a full fall clearance table or diagram as part of the physical product and the user instruction manual. This provides critical clearance information directly on the product, where it is most easily accessible by the end user or Competent Person at the place and time of use.
The 2021 version of Z359.14 significantly expands the volume and severity of testing required to comply with the standard. Most of these changes are intended to improve safety factors and address specific known hazards or applications of SRDs. While testing the products mainly affects manufacturers and test labs, it's essential to understand how these changes may impact how these devices are deployed and used in the field by end users. Some of the significant changes include:
Finally, the ANSI Z359.14-2021 standard has introduced more static testing, more dynamic testing, more application-specific testing, more application-relevant testing, and increased safety factors to improve the quality of SRDs in the fall protection market to save lives.
ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 goes into effect on August 1, 2023. For organizations or job sites that mandate ANSI compliance, all SRDs must be manufactured and marked as compliant with Z359.14-2021. Any SRDs marked as compliant with Z359.14-2014 or any previous revision will be considered out of compliance after August 1, 2023. FallTech recommends reaching out to your manufacturer to inquire how this standard change affects the SRDs that you are using now and plan your transition to 2021 compliant devices.
FallTech is in the process of qualifying its existing SRD models to the 2021 standard and will release updates as quickly as possible to best support customers as they transition to updated devices. This work is scheduled to be completed ahead of the August 1, 2023 deadline. FallTech has also already released the new FT-R SRL series, FT-X Cable series, and FT-X EdgeCore, all compliant with the 2021 standard.
Once a Falltech SRD model is qualified to the 2021 standard, FallTech will implement updates to our repair program to certify units of that model to the 2021 compliant specs. Any 2014 compliant product qualified for 2021 can be updated through the repair process. This recertification will require new labels and, depending on the model, may require some changes to parts or the assembly process to comply with the 2021 standard.
FallTech will continue to support repair, service, and maintenance on all SRL models currently supported with these programs. Models that are qualified for 2021 will be repaired to the 2021 spec, even if they were built to a spec-compliant with a previous standard revision. Any model that doesn't comply with the 2021 standard will be built to the same original 2014 spec.
This question has a two-part answer that depends on the ANSI compliance requirements of your organization or worksite. If strict ANSI compliance is required, then after August 1, 2023, only a Class 2 SRL-P will be appropriate for this application. If only OSHA compliance is mandated, then the existing device may continue to be used as approved by your Competent Person, Qualified Person, and/or Professional Engineer.
You should use a five-foot set-back distance versus an anchorage at the leading edge because it equips your fall protection system to arrest the fall more quickly. If your anchorage is at the edge, the SRL will create additional freefall distance as it retracts. The pawl mechanism also needs the lifeline to pay out fast enough to engage. With a zero-foot set-back distance and below D-ring foot-level tie-off, it won’t activate until the worker has fallen below the device hanging beneath the leading edge, further delaying the arrest.
With a five-foot set-back distance, this payout begins as soon as the user’s D-ring passes below the level of the anchorage. You can eliminate the extra freefall length, lower the MRFC, and create a safer working environment.
FallTech’s industry-trusted, American-made fall protection products are one part of a broader commitment to helping our customers be as informed and empowered as possible. When you choose FallTech, you connect with a sales team that has in-depth knowledge about fall protection. We work directly with our customers to understand what they need and how we can help them achieve it.
As a privately-owned family business, we move faster and are more flexible than our larger competitors. Have a pricing request? Need a consult about your fall protection requirements? We can give you a quick answer, personally working with you to resolve your needs.
Transparency is another way we work to serve you. We publish all of our product test results and data to give you confidence in our equipment. You can also find declarations of conformity for all of our products to confirm that each meets both OSHA and ANSI requirements. With our own ISO:17025 Lab and ISO:9001 QMP, we ensure the consistency and quality of every product.
Most importantly, our service doesn’t stop with your order. We know that safety is your top priority, so we offer a variety of support options to help you build the best fall protection program. Reach out to us for advice about novel situations and we will happily find the ideal solution. Tour our facility to learn more about our products, visit our website for additional resources, or sign up for our comprehensive training sessions.
When you need a company you can trust, FallTech is your fall protection solution.
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