Safety Harness Standard: ANSI Z359.11-2021

Introduction:

Full Body Harness (FBH) or Safety Harness must be selected as per Internationally accepted standard or the standard accepted in special region, in this article we will know about ANSI Z359.11-2021 Safety Requirements for Safety Harness.

Safety Harness Stock photos by Vecteezy

Why Safety Harness Required:

Safety harness required for various job such as, working on elevated platform, lowering or climbing ladder, positioning & for rescue.

What is ANSI Standard:

ANSI, the American National Standards Institute, is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to evaluating and establishing standards for various safety domains.

ANSI Z359.11-2021 Safety Requirements for Safety Harness:

Safety standard set by ANSI for Full Body Harness is ANSI Z359.11-2021.

ANSI Z359.11-2021 standard safety harness must meet following requirements.

Dynamic Performance: 

Attachment points undergo a feet-first dynamic performance test aiming for a force of 3,600 to 4,000 pounds, harness must hold the torso dummy for 5 minutes with angle ≤30° to vertical, deploy at least one visual indicator, and stretch not exceeding 18 inches.

Static Strength: 

Attachment points undergo a static strength test with a load of 3,600 pounds for 1 minute without failure. Adjusters shouldn't slip more than 1 inch, buckle and eyelet systems must not tear through, and straps shouldn't show signs of tearing.

Breaking Strength of Full Body Harness:

Load bearing straps must have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds when new and 3,600 pounds after abrasion conditioning.

Expiry of Full Body Harness:

According to ANSI Z359.11–2021, full body harnesses have an expiry period of five years from the date of first use or ten years from the date of manufacture, whichever comes first.