NEW: ASSP has announced that the ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 standard for Self-Retracting Devices used in personal fall arrest systems, currently published with an effectivity date of February 01, 2023, has recently been granted a new effectivity date of August 01, 2023. Official information is expected to be published in the form of an addendum or a revision of the ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 standard document.
Did you know that on June 17, 2021, the American National Standard for the Safety Requirements for Self-Retracting Devices (SRDs) was approved with an effective date of February 1, 2023? Yes, this happened. Now, what does this mean? Let’s learn more about what changes manufacturers will have to make for self-retracting devices (SRDs) on fall protection…
After February 1, 2023, SRD manufacturers will be required to conform to this latest revision of the ANSI/ASSP Z359.14 standard document. The requirements of this revised standard supersede any corresponding requirements in ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2014, ANSI/ASSP Z359.1, ANSI/ASSP Z359.3, and ANSI/ASSP Z359.4 American National Standards.
All SRD products manufactured after February 1, 2023 and claiming compliance to ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 will be required to conform to the most current revision of the document. Products manufactured to previous revisions of the ANSI Z359.14 standard may continue to be used as long as the product continues to meet the inspection requirements as defined by the manufacturer, conducted at the recommended intervals by a Competent Person.
We encourage you to check out our summary of these changes by reading the full technical bulletin and to read the official ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 document in its entirety.
The purpose of this thorough technical bulletin is to help educate employers, safety personnel, system designers and equipment users with the most current product performance requirements applicable to their personal fall arrest systems and equipment. This standard applies to all SRDs used in occupations requiring personal protection against falls from heights and, if required, shall allow for the specialized functions of travel restraint, rescue and or retrieval.
The technical bulletin offers a history of the standard as well as a review of the changes from the previous 2014 edition to the revised 2021 version. This includes updates as well as new additions to the ANSI/ASSP Z359.14 standard that you should familiarize yourself with so you know which fall protection SRD devices to purchase for your workers.
We encourage you to save the link to this technical bulletin for reference. If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding the information presented in this update or need help selecting appropriate fall protection equipment, please contact 3M Fall Protection Technical Services at 1-800-328-6146.