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.
A new revision of the American National Standard Institute for the Safety Requirements for Self-Retracting Devices (SRDs) has been approved with an effective date of February 1, 2023. After this date, manufacturers will be required to conform to this latest revision of the ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 standard document.
How Will These ANSI SRD Standard Changes Affect the End-user?
Here are some of the important modifications to the standard that safety managers, end-users, and manufacturers should take into account:
- SRDs that are certified to previous revisions of the ANSI/ASSP Z359.14 standard may continue to be used as long as the product continues to meet the inspection requirements as defined by the manufacturer and when conducted at the recommended intervals by a competent person.
- ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 is updated to have three self-retracting lifeline (SRL) categories:
- SRL (Self-Retracting Lifeline) – for standard or leading edge applications.
- New: SRL-P (Personal SRL) – mounted on a harness and for standard or leading edge
applications. - SRL-R (Retrieval Self-Retracting Lifeline) – SRL with retrieval or rescue functionality.
It is important to note that SRL-LE (Leading Edge) designation has been removed as a category but will now be designated as Class 2 SRDs.
- Under each SRL category, there are now new Class designations. Class A and Class B devices have now been re-designated as Class 1 or Class 2 devices, under the new ANSI Z359.14-2021 standard. SRDs must now show a Class 1 or 2 SRD label on the product in order to designate.
- Class 1 SRD – must be used with an anchorage point at or above the dorsal D-ring.
- Class 2 SRD – for use with an anchorage either above or below the dorsal D-ring.
This means for applications utilizing an anchorage point below the dorsal D-Ring, and when using SRDs certified to the new ANSI Z359.14-2021 standard, a Class 2 devise approved for leading edge applications rated SRD must now be used.
- All new Class 2 SRDs must now include a label affixed to the product, illustrating a fall clearance table, preferably at or near the point of attachment to the full body harness. This chart will indicate minimum fall clearance based on the position of the worker on the working surface. For specific details on working clearances, you should refer to the product’s user instructions.
- A new warning card is now required to be provided as a separate (orange) card insert with each Class 2 SRD. This card acknowledges that there are potential risks associated with leading edge applications and users should follow all manufacturer’s instructions and warnings.
3M will provide further future communications as our SRL products become certified to this new ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 standard. For further details on this new standard, please reference this other blog with additional information as well as this 3M Tech Bulletin on this topic. We also have these two different short videos to help explain the changes:
We also encourage you to contact our health and safety specialists with any questions you have about fall protection, other PPE, as well as standard and regulatory changes that may affect your worksite.