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Energy Absorbing Lanyards Layout
Energy Absorbing Lanyards Layout
Energy Absorbing Lanyards Layout
Next to the full-body harness, the double-legged energy ab- absorbers) and those designed for applications where a 6’
sorbing lanyard is the most commonly purchased piece of fall free fall distance has been proven infeasible, allowing up to a
arrest equipment. But until now, there hasn’t been an ANSI 12’ free fall (“12 ft FF” personal energy absorbers). Until now,
standard that addresses double-legged energy absorbing lan- standards for lanyards that were manufactured for a free fall
yards. greater than 6’ did not exist.
Concerns with product endurance in extreme climates and As more employers recognize Y-lanyards as a cost-effective
prolonged field use have resulted in the establishment of means for the protected mobility of workers at height, there
more stringent qualification and performance testing. Under is heightened potential for misuse. To ensure an MAF of 1,800
the new standard’s testing requirements, guidelines for static lbs. (8 kN) is not exceeded with any Y-lanyard configuration,
strength, ambient dry dynamic performance, and other condi- the new standard takes into account potential misuse and
tioning tests, including abrasive testing of wrap-around energy offers safeguards through improved qualification testing. The
absorbing lanyards, are provided. ANSI Z359 Accredited Standards Committee recognized that
Y-lanyard users will often attach the unused lanyard leg to the
Now let’s get technical. Historically, a single peak force or MAF side D-ring of their full body harness. This may lead to a hazard
measurement was used to record impact force during dynam- called hip-loading. During a fall, the unused lanyard leg can be-
ic performance testing. To yield more meaningful performance come taught, loading the side D-ring with high impact forces.
data, the new standard requires that an average arrest force
be used in addition to the MAF for product qualification and Another common misuse of Y-lanyards is what is referred to as
performance testing. It specifies that 6 ft FF personal energy a dual connection. Many Y-lanyards have two energy absorb-
absorbers have an average arrest force no greater than 900 lbs. ers, one on each lanyard leg. If both legs of the Y-lanyard are
(4 kN) without exceeding an MAF of 1,800 lbs. (8 kN) and 12 connected to the same anchor point, the energy absorbers
ft FF personal energy absorbers have an average arrest force may load simultaneously, generating higher forces on the user.
no greater than 1,350 lbs. (6 kN) without exceeding 1,800 lbs. The new standard has added test requirements for hip-loading
(8 kN) MAF. and dual connections along with additional labeling and warn-
ing requirements.
The new standard increases the allowable maximum deploy-
ment distance of the energy absorber from 42” (106.7 cm) To date, a 220 lb. test weight was used for dynamic load test-
to 48” (121.9 cm) for 6 ft FF personal energy absorbers and ing of energy absorbers and lanyards. A ratio of 1.4:1 was used
specifies a maximum deployment distance of 60” (152.4 cm) to relate the rigid test weight to the human body, which was
for 12 ft FF personal energy absorbers. The addition of labeling assumed to absorb some of the acquired energy. Testing con-
specifications offers additional safeguards to users. Contrast- ducted by Gravitec Systems, Inc., has shown that a 1.1 conver-
ing labels are specified for the 6 ft FF and 12 ft FF energy sation factor is more accurate for fall arrest systems utilizing a
absorbers and must include the capacity, maximum free fall full body harness. The new standard prescribes a test weight
distance and average deployment force. of 282 lbs. (127.9 kg) to be used to represent the 310 lb. (140.6
Y-lanyards are commonplace in many industries. Hip loading most commonly occurs when the unused
Workers often employ Y-lanyards to move vertically as end of a pouch style energy absorbing lanyard is con-
well as horizontally. nected to a hip D-ring on a full body harness.
kg) fully tooled and clothed human body. Using a more ac-
curate conversion factor and therefore a greater weight will
model energy absorbers during testing that will more closely
represent applications by the worker in the field.
What does this mean for consumers? The transition to the new
and improved energy absorbers will not happen overnight.
Companies can elect to retire equipment designed under the
old standard and immediately benefit from added safeguards, ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
but it is expected that most will consume as needed. Randall Wingfield, chairman of the ANSI Z359 Accredited
Standards Committee, is extensively involved in the continuing
The ANSI/ASSE Z359.13 standard is only one of eight existing development of national standards for fall protection equip-
fall protection standards that make up the Z359 Fall Protection ment and training. Mr. Wingfield is the president and owner of
Code and is best used in conjunction with the full Code. To Gravitec Systems, Inc., a leading provider of fall protection and
rescue services, specializing in engineering and training. He is
purchase the standard, visit ASSE’s web site at: http://www.
also the president of the International Society for Fall Protec-
asse.org. For additional information about testing conducted tion (ISFP) and a member of the American Society of Safety
by Gravitec Systems, Inc., visit our Resources page on our Engineers (ASSE).
web site at www.gravitec.com.