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Fall Protection Information

What is OSHA? OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) was created created and signed into law on December 29, 1970 by President Richard M. Nixon. Their mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. OSHA conducts approximately 38,000 workplace inspections each year, and non-compliance with OSHA rules and regulations can result in stiff penalties and abatement periods for employers. What is ANSI? ANSI (American National Standards Institute) is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. ANSI facilitates the development of national standards by establishing consensus among manufacturers and consumers. Many of OSHA's regulations are adopted from ANSI standards.

General Fall Arrest Requirements

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502:

  • Body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system.
  • Only locking type snap hooks shall be used.
  • Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall arrest systems must be capable of supporting at least 5,000 lbs per employee attached.
  • Personal Fall Arrest systems shall be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6' nor contact any lower level.

ANSI Z359.1:

  • Snap hooks and carabiners shall be self-closing and self-locking.
  • Equipment shall be inspected by the user before each use and, additionally, by a competent person other than the user at intervals of no more than 1 year.
  • Prior to selecting a personal fall arrest system, the user shall make an assessment of workspace conditions where the equipment is required.

General Harness Requirements

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502:

  • D-Rings shall have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs.
  • D-Rings shall be proof tested to 3,600 lbs.
  • The attachment point of the harness shall be located in the center of the wearer's back near shoulder level.
  • Harnesses shall be used only for employee protection.
  • Harnesses subjected to impact loading must be removed from service.

ANSI Z359.1:

  • D-Rings, O-Rings, and oval rings shall be capable of withstanding a tensile load of 5,000 lbs.
  • Adjusters shall be capable of withstanding a tensile load of 4,000 lbs.
  • All D-Rings and O-Rings shall be subjected to proof load testing to 3,600 lbs.
  • The fall arrest attachment shall be located at the back (dorsal) position.
  • Harnesses subjected to impact loading must be removed from service.

General Lanyard Requirements

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502:

  • Lanyards shall have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs.
  • Snap hooks shall be sized to be compatible with the member to which they are connected to prevent unintentional disengagement of the snap hook.
  • Shock-Absorbing lanyards shall limit the maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 lbs when used with a body harness.
  • Shock-Absorbing Lanyards shall limit maximum deceleration distance to 3.5 feet.
  • Lanyards subjected to impact loading must be removed from service.

ANSI Z359.1:

  • Lanyards shall have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs.
  • Snap hooks shall be sized to be compatible with the member to which they are connected to prevent unintentional disengagement of the snap hook.
  • Shock-Absorbing lanyards shall limit the maximum arresting force to 900 pounds.
  • Shock-Absorbing Lanyards shall limit maximum deceleration distance to 3.5 feet.
  • Lanyards subjected to impact loading must be removed from service.

General Connector Requirements

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.502:

  • D-Rings shall have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs.
  • D-Rings shall be proof tested to 3,600 lbs.
  • Connectors subjected to impact loading must be removed from service.

ANSI Z359.1:

  • Anchorage connectors shall be capable of withstanding a 5,000 lb load multiplied by the maximum number of personal fall arrest systems that may be attached to the anchorage connector.
  • An anchorage connector shall be attached to no more than one fall arrest system unless certified for such purpose.
  • Connectors subjected to impact loading must be removed from service.
  • D-Rings, O-Rings, and oval rings shall be capable of withstanding a tensile load of 5,000 lbs.

Information from manufacturers