Copyright MSA 2006
Page 1 of 8
Update on Canadian Fall Protection Equipment Standards
Current and Proposed New Fall Protection Standards for the Canadian Market
I.
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
This paper reviews the current status of fall protection standards developed by
the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Before we begin examining the
standards themselves, it is important to gain an understanding of the context for
fall protection standards in Canada. First, the activities of CSA are governed
under the rules of the national consensus standards body, Standards Council of
Canada, an organization equivalent in function to the American National
Standards Institute in the US and the British Standards Institute in Great Britain.
Next, we note that CSA is made up of two divisions: The Technical Advisory
Committee and the Testing and Certification Division. CSA Fall protection
standards are created by the CSA Technical Advisory Committee for Fall
Protection. This committee represents a balanced membership of subject-matter
experts representing end-user organizations, Provincial regulators,
manufacturers, industry consultants, educational institutions, non-governmental
organizations and trade groups. Once a standard has been drafted it undergoes
a ballot process with public review. It is the responsibility of Provincial Labor
Ministries to incorporate these standards into law. Provincial Health & Safety
inspectors enforce compliance in the field.
In Canada, personal protective equipment for fall arrest, work positioning and
restraint must be certified by a third-party, independent testing laboratory to the
applicable CSA standard, or must meet an approved equivalent level of
protection. The CSA Test and Certification Division provide product testing
services and certification under the CSA mark. Products carrying this mark are
certified to meet the reference product standard, are produced under an
approved quality management system and undergo regular verification testing to
assure ongoing compliance.
Testing and certification to the CSA standards is also carried out by the Safety
Equipment Institute (SEI) in the US, which offers an equivalent product
certification process accredited by Standards Council of Canada and recognized
in the Canadian Provinces since Year 2001. Products certified by the SEI carry
the CSEI certification mark.
MSA Fall Protection ▪ 2250 South Tejon Street ▪ Englewood, CO 80110 USA ▪ Ph: 303.922.6246 ▪ Fax 303.934.9960
Copyright MSA 2006
Page 2 of 8
Update on Canadian Fall Protection Equipment Standards
Current and Proposed New Fall Protection Standards for the Canadian Market
II.
CURRENT CSA FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT STANDARDS
CSA maintains a portfolio of equipment standards organized under the Z259
series of standards for fall protection components. A list of these standards is
given below:
CSA-Z259.1-05
Body Belts and Saddles for Work Positioning and Travel Restraint
CAN/CSA-Z259.2.1-98
Fall Arresters, Vertical Lifelines and Rails
CAN/CSA-Z259.2.2-98
Self-Retracting Devices for Personal Fall-Arrest Systems
CAN/CSA-Z259.2.3-99
Descent Control Devices
Z259.3-M1978 (R2001) WITHDRAWN
Lineman's Body Belt and Lineman's Safety Strap
CAN/CSA-Z259.10-06
Full Body Harnesses
CSA-Z259.11-05
Energy Absorbers and Lanyards
CAN/CSA-Z259.12-01
Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)
Z259.13-04
Flexible Horizontal Lifelines
CAN/CSA-Z259.14-01
Fall Restrict Equipment for Wood Pole Climbing
Z259.16-04
Fall Protection Systems Design Code
MSA Fall Protection ▪ 2250 South Tejon Street ▪ Englewood, CO 80110 USA ▪ Ph: 303.922.6246 ▪ Fax 303.934.9960
Copyright MSA 2006
Page 3 of 8
Update on Canadian Fall Protection Equipment Standards
Current and Proposed New Fall Protection Standards for the Canadian Market
II.
CURRENT CSA FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT STANDARDS
We will next look at three current CSA fall protection standards that have
undergone revision within the past year, with an emphasis on the major changes
from the previous edition.
A.
CSA Z259.1-05, “Body Belts and Saddles for Work Positioning and
Travel Restraint”
This revision was approved by the Technical Committee in February
2005. It supersedes the previous edition, Z259.1-95 “Safety Belts and
Lanyards.” This standard, along with the second edition of CSA Z259.1105, “Energy Absorbers and Lanyards,” also supersedes CSA Z259.3M1978, “Linesman’s Body Belt and Lineman’s Safety Strap.”
CSA Z259.1-05 now covers body belts and saddles: CSA Z259.11-05
now covers lanyards, straps and energy absorbers. CSA Z259.3-M1978
has been withdrawn.
Major revisions (quoted from CSA Occupational Health & Safety
Certification Notice No. 44, dated 05/19/2006):
•
•
•
•
•
•
The term “body belt” is used instead of “safety belt” to avoid creating
expectations that these belts could be used to arrest fall.
Body belts are classified as Type 1 (lineman’s belt, previously covered
in CSA Z259.3) or Type 2 (belts covered in the previous edition of
CSA Z259.1).
Arborists’ saddles, not before covered in the CSA Z259 Standards,
have been included.
CAN/CSA-Z259.12, “Connecting Components for Personal Fall Arrest
Systems (PFAS), is referenced to provide requirements for hardware
components such as buckles, D-rings, and snap hooks, resulting in
some changes to test requirements.
The toluene immersion test of CSA Z259.3 is considered irrelevant to
present-day manufacturing methods hand has been deleted.
The requirements in CSA Z259.3 for packaging and for inclusion of
instructions for storage and drying are considered irrelevant and have
been deleted.
MSA Fall Protection ▪ 2250 South Tejon Street ▪ Englewood, CO 80110 USA ▪ Ph: 303.922.6246 ▪ Fax 303.934.9960
Copyright MSA 2006
Page 4 of 8
Update on Canadian Fall Protection Equipment Standards
Current and Proposed New Fall Protection Standards for the Canadian Market
II.
CURRENT CSA FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT STANDARDS (continued)
B.
CSA Z259.10-06, “Full Body Harnesses”
This revision was approved by the Technical Committee in February
2006. It supersedes the previous edition published in 1990.
The current edition preserves the basic design and classification scheme
of full body harnesses introduced in the previous standard:
Class A:
Class D:
Class E:
Class L:
Class P:
Fall Arrest
Suspension and controlled descent
Limited Access
Ladder Climbing
Work Positioning
Major revisions (quoted from CSA Occupational Health & Safety
Certification Notice No. 47, dated 08/14/2006):
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•
•
•
•
The mass used in the drop test has been increased from 100 kg (220
lb) to 160 kg (352 lb).
A requirement for all full body harnesses to have a built-in fall arrest
indicator that activates when exposed to a significant arrest force has
been added.
The requirement for an arrow and the letter “A” to identify the fall
arrest attachment connector on the full body harness has been
replaced by an improved labeling requirement that outlines the use of
the dorsal connecting component as the only suitable connection for
fall arrest. Guidance for the proper use of other connecting
components that may be attached to the harness (e.g. the waist level
connectors on a Class P-Work Positioning full body harness) is
outlined in the manufacturers’ instructions.
CAN/CSA-Z259.12 is referenced, resulting in the removal of design
and testing requirements specific to connecting components from this
Standard.
Requirements for the integral connection of full body harnesses to
other fall protection components such as energy absorbers or
lanyards have been added.
MSA Fall Protection ▪ 2250 South Tejon Street ▪ Englewood, CO 80110 USA ▪ Ph: 303.922.6246 ▪ Fax 303.934.9960
Copyright MSA 2006
Page 5 of 8
Update on Canadian Fall Protection Equipment Standards
Current and Proposed New Fall Protection Standards for the Canadian Market
II.
CURRENT CSA FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT STANDARDS (continued)
B.
CSA Z259.10-06, “Full Body Harnesses”
•
•
C.
Requirements for instructions to be provided with each full body
harness have been added.
Information on the care to be exercised and some risks to be avoided
when using full body harnesses has been added as an Annex A.
CSA Z259.11-05, “Energy Absorbers and Lanyards”
This revision was approved by the Technical Committee in February
2005. It supersedes the previous edition, published in 1992 under the
title, “Shock Absorbers for Personal Fall Arrest Systems.” This standard,
along with the new CSA Z259.1-05 also supersedes CSA Z259.3-M1978,
“Lineman’s Body Belt and Lineman’s Safety Strap and CAN/CSA Z259.195, “Safety Belts and Lanyards.”
CSA Z259.11-05 now covers lanyards, straps, and energy absorbers:
CSA Z259.1-05 now covers body belts and saddles. CSA Z259.3-M1978
is withdrawn.
Major revisions (quoted from CSA Occupational Health & Safety
Certification Notice No. 45, dated 05/19/2006):
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•
•
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•
The term “energy absorber” has replaced “shock absorber” to better
describe the function of this device. Fall arrest dissipation of the
dynamic energy generated in falling in addition to minimizing the
shock of stopping a fall.
Energy absorbers and lanyards have been placed in one standard in
recognition that these devices are often used together.
A heavyweight classification of energy absorbers has been added to
better reflect the diversity in sizes of workers.
Positioning and fall arrest lanyards have been placed in one standard
to allow for quick comparison of requirements.
Final strength and elevated temperature test requirements for energy
absorbers have been revised to better reflect operating conditions.
The requirements for connecting components from CAN/CSA-259.12
have been referenced.
MSA Fall Protection ▪ 2250 South Tejon Street ▪ Englewood, CO 80110 USA ▪ Ph: 303.922.6246 ▪ Fax 303.934.9960
Copyright MSA 2006
Page 6 of 8
Update on Canadian Fall Protection Equipment Standards
Current and Proposed New Fall Protection Standards for the Canadian Market
II.
CURRENT CSA FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT STANDARDS (continued)
D.
Effective Dates for Revised Standards
Changes reflected in these current, revised standards will be phased into
effect according to a schedule determined by the CSA Test and
Certification Division. The effective dates published by CSA will provide
adequate time for manufacturers to make the necessary product
changes, undertake certification as needed and prepare stocks of new
products which comply with the revised standards.
Following the effective dates of change, products which were previously
certified under the old revision of the standards will be removed from the
CSA/SEI Certified Products Lists unless they have been re-certified under
the new standards.
Provincial regulators will decide how long products which were certified
and sold under the previous editions of these standards will be permitted
to continue in service under the local Health and Safety regulations of
their respective jurisdictions.
III.
Standard
Effective Date of Revision
CSA Z259.1-05
CSA Z259.10-06
CSA Z259.11-05
April 1, 2007
June 1, 2007
April 1, 2007
PROPOSED NEW CANADIAN FALL PROTECTION STANDARDS
Several new work items are in progress by the CSA Technical Advisory
Committee for Fall Protection. They include a new standard for anchorage
connectors, revision to the current standard CSA Z259.2.3 for descender devices
and a new document, entitled “Guide to Selection and Use of Fall Protection
Equipment.”
MSA Fall Protection ▪ 2250 South Tejon Street ▪ Englewood, CO 80110 USA ▪ Ph: 303.922.6246 ▪ Fax 303.934.9960
Copyright MSA 2006
Page 7 of 8
Update on Canadian Fall Protection Equipment Standards
Current and Proposed New Fall Protection Standards for the Canadian Market
III.
PROPOSED NEW CANADIAN FALL PROTECTION STANDARDS (continued)
A.
CSA Z259.15-XX, “Anchorage Connectors”
This new standard addresses requirements for design, performance,
testing and instructions for use of a class of products which are a part of
virtually every fall protection system: the anchorage connector.
Anchorage connectors are a diverse group of products which include a
variety of means for connecting the personal fall arrest system, work
positioning system, suspension and tie-back system to the structural
anchor. Examples of typical anchorage connectors covered under this
standard include, but are not limited to:
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•
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Anchorage connector straps and cables
Carabiners and large snaphooks used for direct connection to the
structural anchor
Beam trolleys and sliders
D-ring plates and D-bolts
Davit systems
Tripods
At this stage in the development of the standard, specific requirements
are still under debate and it would be premature to disclose details which
are subject to change during the finalization of the standard. However,
some general guidelines have emerged which will undoubtedly be
included in the final version:
•
•
B.
Increased gate strength requirements over those in CAN/CSA
Z259.12-05 for anchorage connectors with operable gates
Test methods to enable the safe use of anchorage connectors which
bend or deform under load, thereby permitting the advancement of
lighter weight devices which will reduce the forces transmitted to the
anchor structure.
Revision to CSA Z259.2.3-99, “Descent Control Devices”
Revision to the current descent control device standard will focus on a
simplified classification scheme with improvements in safety and testing
of these components:
MSA Fall Protection ▪ 2250 South Tejon Street ▪ Englewood, CO 80110 USA ▪ Ph: 303.922.6246 ▪ Fax 303.934.9960
Copyright MSA 2006
Page 8 of 8
Update on Canadian Fall Protection Equipment Standards
Current and Proposed New Fall Protection Standards for the Canadian Market
III.
PROPOSED NEW CANADIAN FALL PROTECTION STANDARDS (continued)
B.
Revision to CSA Z259.2.3-99, “Descent Control Devices”
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Type 1 devices: automatic operation with integral descent line for
one-person or multi-person descent capability
Type 2 device: manually operated with integral descent line
Type 3 device: manually operated with non-integral descent line
Both Type 2 and 3 devices will be equipped with a hands-free locking
element and a panic locking element
Testing to be performed at speed, to verify performance and strength
Completion of the revision is expected mid-year 2007.
C.
Guide to Selection and Use
This new document will provide a guideline to end-users of fall protection
equipment to assist them in making the best choices of equipment for
their height safety program. The guidance document will provide
recommendations for the safe combination of components to create
complete systems for fall arrest, work positioning and restraint, descent,
suspension and rescue. A schedule for completion of this new work item
has not yet been determined.
MSA Fall Protection ▪ 2250 South Tejon Street ▪ Englewood, CO 80110 USA ▪ Ph: 303.922.6246 ▪ Fax 303.934.9960