Page 10 - Occupational Health & Safety, September 2018

CONSTRUCTION
A New Standard for Fall Protection Anchorage Connectors
ANSI Z359.18-2017 increases testing rigor—and it introduces field application testing, anchorage connector types, and labeling requirements.
BY BRADLEY DILLON
The introduction of ANSI Z359.18-2017 Safe- ty Requirements for Anchorage Connectors for Active Fall Protection Systems marked a watershed moment for fall protection equip- ment manufacturers. Prior to Z359.18 (which became effective in August 2017), manufacturers relied on the guidance of the admittedly “overly simplistic” Z359.1- 2007 Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Sys- tems, Subsystems, and Components standard during the manufacture and testing of fall protection anchor- age connectors.
The updated anchorage connector-specific stan- dard introduces significant changes, including: testing in mocked-up field applications to simulate real-world uses; anchorage connector types; dy- namic, residual, and serviceability strength testing; and extensive corrosion resistance tests. Under- standing these application-specific tests, anchorage connector types, and performance requirements will be an increasingly important factor as manu- facturers transition from the outdated Z359.1-2007 standard (which ceased to be a product standard
in 2016) to the new anchorage-connector-only Z359.18-2017 standard.
Field Application Testing
Until Z359.18-2017, ANSI-directed anchorage con- nector strength testing was limited to a static load of 5,000 pounds. Not only has the new standard updated testing procedures and performance requirements with the addition of dynamic, residual, and service- ability load testing, but now it also requires that man- ufacturers assess all compatible substrates, fasteners, and installation orientations to provide the most ac- curate installation guidance possible.
Three New Types of Anchorage Connector
Instead of a single, overarching category of anchorage connectors as found in Z359.1-2007, Z359.18-2017 creates three new anchorage connector “types” based on intended application or performance:
Type T—for a suspended component/tie-back line, or for an active fall protection system.
Type D—allows deformation or movement when arresting a fall to absorb fall energy and re- duce the strength requirements of the anchorage to which is it attached. Deformation may be perma- nent or temporary.
Type A—any anchorage connector other than Type T or Type D for an active fall protection system. Although many common anchorage connectors will fall into the Type A category, the purpose here is to better delineate an anchorage connector’s pur- pose and performance to ensure proper selection of the most appropriate anchorage connector for a
specific application.
Enhanced Testing Procedures
To ensure tests are conducted in a methodical, repeat- able, and accountable way, testing labs must now meet the requirements of ANSI Z359.7-2011 Qualification and Verification Testing of Fall Protection Products and are accredited to the ISO 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laborato- ries standard. Manufacturers must make available the results of compliance testing; transparency is an impor- tant part of the new Z359.18 standard.
Static Strength: Type A and Type T anchors must withstand a minimum 5,000-pound load. Type D anchors must withstand a static load between 2,700 pounds and 5,000 pounds, and their deformation must be measured so that it may be accounted for in
10 Occupational Health & Safety | SEPTEMBER 2018
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