CSA Z259.
16-15
ANSI Z359.6-16:
• CSA Z259.16 published in 2004.
• It was the first worldwide standard, for a
COMPLETE fall protection system.
• ANSI Z359.6 published in 2009,
ALMOST verbatim, the CSA Z259.16 standard.
• CSA Z259.16 re-issued in Nov 2015
• ANSI Z359.6 re-issued in Nov 2016
• The Standards are diverging… What’s new?
Primary Objective
to Prevent or Control Impact Injuries
How do we accomplish this?
• A Travel Restraint System (TRS) prevents falls.
• A Fall Arrest System (FAS) stops falls within
available clearances and keep the impact forces
within safe limits.
1 Scope
The Standard is for the use of
Professional Engineers
For the Design of Active Fall Protection Systems
Art of Engineering
"Engineering
is the art of modeling materials we do not
wholly understand,
into shapes we cannot precisely analyze,
so as to withstand forces we cannot properly
assess,
in such a way that the public has no reason to
suspect the extent of our ignorance."
(Dr. A.R. Sykes, British Institute of Structural Engineers, 1976)
Ignores Some
OH&S
Regulations
• No Maximum Free Fall Distance (OSHA max = 6 ft)
• No Max. Deceleration Distance (OSHA max = 3.5 ft)
• Di Minemus Violations/Interpretation Letters
The Standard CANNOT be used to
bypass testing and certification of
Manufactured Equipment….
If certification exists under other Fall
Protection Equipment Standards
Reference Publications 89 Definitions
Activation distance Flexible anchorage subsystem Proof test
Active fall-protection system Force factor Required clearance below the anchorage
Anchorage Free-fall distance (FFD) Required clearance below the platform
Anchorage connector Full body harness Rescue
Anchorage subsystem Hardware Restraint anchorage
Arrest distance Harness Restraint lanyard
Arrest force Harness stretch Restraint system
Automatic descent control device Horizontal lifeline (HLL) Rigid anchorage subsystem
Ballasted anchor Horizontal lifeline energy absorber (HLLEA) Rigid rail system
Boatswain's chair Horizontal lifeline system Roll-out
Body-holding device Initial sag Rope grab
Carabiner In-line fittings Safety margin
Certified Inspection Safety net system
Clearance Integral Secondary system
Clutching of self-retracting lanyard Intermediate anchorage Self-locking

• Fall Protection Equipment Standards

Compatible connection Intermediate anchorage connector Self-retracting device (SRD)
Configuration Lanyard Self-retracting lanyard (SRL)
Connecting linkage Lifeline Self-retracting lifeline
Connecting means Lifeline termination Sequential fall

• Design Codes for Steel, Concrete & Aluminum

Connecting subsystem Line constituents Shock absorber
Connector Manual fall arrester Shock-absorbing lanyard
Constituent Manual rope grab Simultaneous fall
Cusp sag Maximum anchorage system deflection (MASD) Span

• The National/International Building Code

Deceleration distance Maximum arrest force (MAF) Static analysis
Descent controller Maximum arrest load (MAL) Static attachment point
D-ring Maximum dynamic deflection (MDD) Stretch out

• ANSI, ASTM, CGSB and Other Cited Standards

Dynamic analysis Maximum sag Swing-drop distance
Emergency egress Minimum clearance Testing and interpolation analysis
End anchorage Passive fall-protection system Total-fall distance (TFD)
End anchorage connector Personal energy absorber (PEA) Travel-restraint system
Energy absorber Personal fall arrest system (PFAS) Trolley
Energy analysis Personal shock absorber Vertical lifeline (VLL)
Energy-absorbing lanyard Positioning lanyard Vertical lifeline system
Fall arrest Positioning system Work positioning
Fall arrester Pre-tension Work positioning system (WPS)
Fall-arrest system (FAS) Primary system
Fall-protection system Professional engineer

Extensive Information is Required

Drawings & Specifications
• Meets Z359.6/259.16 and any exceptions
• Type of system (restraint vs. arrest)
• Layout drawing
• #, location and qualifications of workers
• Specification of all equipment/materials
The Professional • Proof testing, if required
Engineer must Seal all
• Environmental limitations
Drawings &
• Performance specifications: CSA Z259 – Forces &
Specifications
Clearances, ANSI Z359 - Forces ONLY!

Extensive Information is Required Materials must: 785 lb

3200 lb
3000 lb
• be synthetic or
• Applicable assembly/disassembly metallic
• Access and egress • be ductile
•
•
Strength of anchorages
Inspection/maintenance/retirement criteria
• perform as intended
for the environments
• Use & Rescue procedures (ANSI Z359.2)
• Modifications (Engineer)
they will be used.
• As constructed drawings (permanent systems)
 Can Engineers trust data on
the label for calculations?

NO
If available, fall
protection equipment
must meet applicable
CSA Z259.X or ANSI
Z359.X standards

Energy Absorbers Energy Absorber Deployment Force

2000 lb

• Must Dissipate fall energy (In-Elastic)

ANSI
ANSI1800
1800lblbAllowable
AllowablePeak
Peak
1800 lb
ANSI
ANSI1350
900 lblbAllowable
AllowableAverage
Average(ON
(ONTHE
THELABEL)
LABEL)
1600 lb ANSIA359.13
ANSI A359.13- -12
6 ft FF 1496
889 lblbPeak
Peak

• When FF≤4.6 ft (1.4m) & W≤310 lb (m≤140 kg):

1400 lb Test
TestData
Data
1200 lb 1075
705 lblbANSI
ANSIAvg Avg(39%
(60%of
ofANSI
ANSIAllowable
AllowablePeak)
Peak)
1000 lb 1162
727 lblbTrue
TrueAvgAvg(40%
(65%of
ofANSI
ANSIAllowable
AllowablePeak)
Peak)

–Static Analysis is allowed (Energy absorbers

500
500lblbANSI
ANSIthreshold
thresholdto
toaverage
averagedata
data
800 lb
600 lb

will not bottom out, so impacts are known).

400 lb
200 lb

–Otherwise engineer must use

0 lb
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

• True Average force is 25-80% of the allowable peak.

Energy/Dynamic/Testing analysis methods.
• True Average force is 33-90% of what is on the label.
• Standards say to get test information or to design
using minimum FAvg to pass standard or get test data.

Allowable Range of Average PEA Self Retracting Lifelines

Deployment Forces? (SRLs)
(From PEA Equation Webinar)
Class or T est Weight Free Fall FMax xMax Min Favg
†
Max FAvg
‡ Min FAvg/ Min
• Only used in Travel Restraint Systems if the engineer has
Standard
AN SI Z359.1
T ype
N /A
(lb)
220.0
(ft)
6.0
(lb)
900
(ft)
3.5
(lb)
597
(lb)
900
Max FAvg
66.3%
FAvg/FMax
66.3% determined that fully deployed length will still prevent the
AN SI Z359.13 6ft FF 282.0 6.0 1800 4.0 705 900 78.3% 39.2%
AN SI Z359.13
AS/N ZS 1891.1
12ft FF
N /A
282.0
220.4
12.0
12.5
1800
1349
5.0
6.4
959
650
1350
1349
71.0%
48.2%
53.3%
48.2%
worker from reaching an unprotected edge.
C SA Z259.11
C SA Z259.11
EN 355
E4
E6
N /A
220.4
352.6
220.4
5.9
5.9
13.1
899
1349
1349
3.9
5.7
5.7
551
715
724
899
1349
1349
61.3%
53.0%
53.7%
61.3%
53.0%
53.7%
• Must meet requirements of CSA Z259.2.2/ANSI Z359.14
ISO 10333-2
ISO 10333-2
Ty pe 1
Ty pe 2
220.4
220.4
5.9
13.1
899
1349
3.9
5.7
551
724
899
1349
61.3%
53.7%
61.3%
53.7%
• Clutching SRLs are strongly recommended
•
† ‡
Class or T est Mass Free Fall FMax xMax Min Favg Max FAvg Min FAvg/ Min
Standard
AN SI Z359.1
T ype
N /A
(kg)
99.8
(m)
1.83
(kN)
4.0
(m)
1.07
(kN)
2.66
(kN)
4.00
Max FAvg
66.3%
FAvg/FMax
66.3%
THE ENGINEER MUST ACCOUNT FOR THE
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF SRLs, including
AN SI Z359.13 6ft FF 127.9 1.83 8.0 1.22 3.14 4.00 78.3% 39.2%
AN SI Z359.13 12ft FF 127.9 3.66 8.0 1.52 4.26 6.01 71.0% 53.3%
AS/N ZS 1891.1 N /A 100.0 3.80 6.0 1.95 2.89 6.00 48.2% 48.2%
C SA Z259.11
C SA Z259.11
E4
E6
100.0
160.0
1.80
1.80
4.0
6.0
1.20
1.75
2.45
3.18
4.00
6.00
61.3%
53.1%
61.3%
53.1%
lock-off distance and peak impact force. (Because of
variations, permanent systems should SPECIFY
EN 355 N /A 100.0 4.00 6.0 1.75 3.22 6.00 53.7% 53.7%
ISO 10333-2 Ty pe 1 100.0 1.80 4.0 1.20 2.45 4.00 61.3% 61.3%
ISO 10333-2 Ty pe 2 100.0 4.00 6.0 1.75 3.22 6.00 53.7% 53.7%
†
Minimum F Avg is determined (using the PEA equation) to get 100% deployment of the PEA (x Max ).
‡
Maximum F Avg is not prescribed in CSA Z259.11, ANSI Z359.1 or EN 355 and is therefore F Max .
PERMITTED SRLs) Use FAvg = FCLR = 450 lbs for Clearance
Values shown for ANSI Z359.13 are as prescribed in that standard
 Horizontal Lifeline Energy
Maximum Span with HLLEA
Absorbers (HLLEAs)
• There are NO CSA (or
ANSI or EN) standards
ft – ANSI Z359.6
for manufactured HLL
Energy Absorbers
•
2
 TAvg 
SHOULD ONLY BE LMax = 1.4 16  −4 m –CSA Z359.16
 mW 
USED TO PROTECT  
WEAK ANCHORAGES
because they add to Maximum Span is Limited so that the falling
the cable sag and worker will begin to slow down within
required clearances 1.4m (4.6 ft) of sag.

Swing Fall vs. Swing Drop Distance 4.6.9 Swing Falls

SFD = Swing Fall Distance

(Drop in height of D-ring from
the onset of the swing to the
lowest point it reaches during
the swing)

SDD = Swing Drop Distance

(Drop in height of D-Ring
SFD
SDD from the onset of the swing
to the point where the person
may impact any structure)

4.6.9.1 Limits of Swing Falls Fall-protection systems

loads and forces

• Swing Falls not limited by the standard

• Z259.16 & Z359.6-2009 limit Swing Drop Distance to 4 ft
• Z359.6-2016 limits total of Free Fall + Harness Stretch +
Swing drop distance to 4 ft
 For Clearance Calculations,
For Strength Calculations, the Nominal the AVERAGE forces shall
Peak forces of all energy absorbers be used
shall be used
FAvg & Tavg
FMax & Tmax FCLR & TCLR
FSTR & TSTR
Note FAvg / FCLR & TAvg / TCLR
are equal to U/x

The design mass, “m” of In CSA Z259.16, The “Force

the workers must be Factor” (ratio of the Worker
greater than or equal to the 140 kg Mass to the Test/Design 140 kg
(310 lb) (310 lb)
heaviest worker permitted Mass) is 1.0 (Clause 7.3.2)
to use the system
(including all PPE and ANSI Z359.6 still uses the
attached tools) but not less 1.1 “Force Factor”
than 140 kg (310 lb). 140 kg 128 kg
(310 lb) (282 lb)

Forces on the Worker’s Body Specified Loads

• Fall Arrest: Attach to the Dorsal D-
ring… but if Free Fall is ≤ 0.2m (8 in),
Sternal or Hip attachment is
permitted.
• The peak Fall Arrest force:
ANSI Z359: 1800 lb (8 kN)
CSA Z259: 6kN (1350 lb) except 8 kN
(1800 lb) is allowed for limited
clearance.
• For Travel Restraint, Belts may be
worn and attachment may be at the
hip provided the peak impact is
below 1.8 kN (400 lb)
• Applied Fall Arrest or Restraint Load, “A”, is specified
(in the standard) or calculated in the analysis.
• When using energy absorbers, “A” is the peak force
(ANSI: TSTR & FSTR ) for strength calculations, and A is
the average force (ANSI: TCLR & FCLR) for clearance
calculations!
• Deployment Force of PEAs may only be used as
design load if the analysis ensure the PEA does not
bottom out.
 Travel Restraint Systems
• For temporary restraint systems, on surfaces that
slope less than 5% downwards to the opening or
edge, the design restraint force is 400 lbs (1.8 kN) per
worker.
• For greater slopes, the engineer must determine the
potential impact force (static analysis won’t work)
Strength Design (FOS>2)
Design Forces are determined by multiplying each
“Load Effect”, “A*” (resulting from the Applied Loading,
“A”) by the ASD or LRFD load factors.
Do not Factor the “Applied Load”, “A”.
CSA Z259.16 & ANSI Z359.6-2009 LRFD
F* = αDD* + Ψ(αAA* + αLL* + αQQ* + αTT*)
ANSI Z359.6-2016 LRFD ANSI Z359.6-2016 ASD
Stability of Ballasted Systems
• Applicable to Systems that are
not rigidly connected to a
foundation, that stand on a
surface that doesn’t slope
downwards steeper than 5
degrees towards any edge or
opening.
• Ballast materials must be rigid.
Travel Restraint Systems
• The deflection of Horizontal Lifelines must be
controlled to ensure that workers cannot get
past the edge.
• CSA & ANSI Z359.6-2009: Permanent restraint
anchorages MUST to be designed for Fall Arrest
• ANSI Z359.6-16: Permanent restraint
anchorages ARE NOT REQUIRED to be
designed for Fall Arrest.
Strength Design (FOS>2)
• For Load & Resistance Factor Design:
Factored Resistance, R = ØU, reduces material
strength, U, by the capacity reduction factor Ø, (from
applicable material design codes).
• For Allowable Stress design, the entire factor of
safety is in the reduction of the material strength
(e.g. steel uses 0.6Fy)
ANSI Z359.6-2009 & CSA Z259.16
Overturning of Ballasted Systems
Counterbalanced systems require a factor of
safety between 1.5 and 4.0 against overturning
depending on:
- whether the design makes it possible for the
installers or users to change the counterbalance
mass or move the fulcrum point; and
- the ratio of the energy required to tip the system
vs. the energy generated by the falling worker
 ANSI Z359.6-2016 Overturning of CSA Z259.16-15 Sliding of
Ballasted Systems Ballasted Anchors

Factor of Safety against tipping is:
a) ≥ 1.5 if Energy required to tip the system is ≥
4x the energy generated by the falling worker
b) ≥ 2 if design makes it impossible for the
installers or users to change the
counterbalance mass or move the fulcrum
point; and Governs
c) ≥ 4 if both a) and b) cannot be met
• 2009 version of ANSI Z359.6 & 2004 edition
of Z259.16 were ridiculously conservative,
requiring a FOS = 3 on all Sliding Anchors.
• 2015 edition of Z259.16 gives 3 options:
6.6.3.5 – Static Analysis = FOS = 2.67
6.6.3.6 – Treat Ballast Anchor as PEA
6.6.3.7 – (Quasi) Dynamic Analysis formulae
provided in the standard.

ANSI Z359.6-2016 Clause 4.6.10.3

Sliding of Ballasted Systems 𝑣=0

Coefficient of Friction is determined from 𝑚𝑏

engineering tables or field testing.
𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑏 𝑔
𝑃𝐸𝐴, 𝐹𝑎𝑣𝑔

Factor of Safety against sliding : 𝑚 𝑣0 = 2𝑔ℎ

a) ≥ 0.5 for static friction (min resistance = 1.5 x

user weight) ONLY IF analyzing with Dynamic
or Energy Analysis
b) ≥ 2 against static friction, when the design is
based on a Static Analysis

𝐹𝑎𝑣𝑔 − 𝑓𝑘
𝑣1 = 𝑡1
𝑚𝑏

𝑚 + 𝑚𝑏
𝑓𝑘 𝐹𝑎𝑣𝑔 𝑓𝑘 𝑚𝑔 𝑡2 = 𝑣1
𝑚𝑏 𝑣0 𝑚𝑏 𝑓𝑘 − 𝑚𝑔
𝑡1 =
𝐹𝑎𝑣𝑔 − 𝑓𝑘 𝑚𝑔 − 𝐹𝑎𝑣𝑔
1 𝐹𝑎𝑣𝑔 − 𝑓𝑘 2 −
𝑚𝑏 𝑚
𝑥𝑏 = 𝑡1
2 𝑚𝑏 𝐹𝑎𝑣𝑔

𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑎 = 𝑥1 − 𝑥𝑏

𝑚𝑔 − 𝐹𝑎𝑣𝑔 2 𝑚 𝑚𝑔 − 𝐹𝑎𝑣𝑔
𝑥1 = 𝑣0 𝑡1 + 𝑡1 𝑣1 = 𝑣0 + 𝑡1 1 𝑚𝑔 − 𝑓𝑘 2
2𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 𝑥2 = 𝑣1 𝑡2 + 𝑡
𝑚𝑔 2 𝑚 + 𝑚𝑏 2
𝑚𝑔
 Comparison of minimum Lifeline Strength
Ballast Weight/Mass • The terminated strength of lifelines shall be used
Static Coefficient of Friction = μS = 0.80
Kinetic Coefficient of Friction = μS =
Peak Deployment Force of PEA = Fmax =
0.40
4.00 kN 900 lb
• Terminated Strength > Yield Strength
Average Deployment Force of PEA = F avg = 2.67 kN 600 lb
Standard: ANSI Z359.6 Clause 4.6.10.3 CSA Z259.16 Clause 6.6.3 ANSI/CSA
Friction Reduction Factor = Ø μ = 1.00 0.75 75%
Worker Weight/Mass: 220 lb/100 kg 310 lb/140 kg 220 lb/100 kg 310 lb/140 kg 100%
Static Analysis 2250 lb/1019 kg 2250 lb/1019 kg 3000 lb/1359 kg 3000 lb/1359 kg 75%
Energy Analysis 825 lb/375 kg 1163 lb/525 kg 1100 lb/500 kg 1550 lb/700 kg 75%
Dynamic Analysis: 825 lb/375 kg 1163 lb/525 kg 900 lb/408 kg 900 lb/408 kg 129%

Multiple Worker Falls Multiple Worker Falls

For Flexible Anchorage Systems (>100mm deflection), the

For Rigid Anchorage Systems (>100mm deflection), the peak
peak load and energy generated may be assumed to be the
load and energy generated may be assumed to be the sum of:
sum of:
100% of the impact from first worker
100% of the impact from first worker
100% from the second worker
75% from the second worker
35% from the third worker
50% from the third and fourth workers
35% from the fourth worker

On Horizontal
Lifelines, a sequential
Clearance
fall may be tested or • Only considered in Fall Arrest Systems
analyzed on the basis • Available Clearance > Required Clearance.
that earlier worker • The average deployment force of energy absorbers
masses hang from the must be used in clearance calculations (FCLR & TCLR)
HLL (with the HLLEA
deployed from earlier
falls if applicable),
before the last worker
mass is dropped

Sequential Falls
 Published Clearance - Multiple
Clearance Margin
Worker Lumped Mass Analysis
• Simultaneous Falls are rare.
• For all Fall Arrest Systems, the Clearance Margin “E”,
(AKA “CM”), Shall be 0.6m (2 ft); plus • The LAST worker has greater FF and PEA deployment.
• Dynamic analysis can analyze a sequential fall (if you know
• For Flexible Anchorage Systems, Single Worker Falls, the precisely the starting position and time of each worker’s
Clearance Margin, “E” (“CM”, shall be increased, according fall).
to the analysis method, by a percentage of the Maximum
Anchorage System Deflection (MASD): • Sequential falls can be approximated by hanging the mass
of all earlier workers from the system (with pre-deployment
If using Static Analysis, add 30% of the MASD of applicable HLLEAs) before dropping the last worker
from the same starting position.
If using Dynamic or Energy Analysis, add 10% of the
MASD • Lumped mass analysis generates an AVERAGE clearance.
The Published Clearance must be greater than the Lumped
Mass clearance.
If using Testing and Interpretation Analysis, add 5% of
the MASD
C = 1.6CN-0.6C1

CSA Z259.16-15 4.2a & 6.5.2.1 4.2a) & 6.5.2.2

Inadequate Clearance Inadequate Clearance
Systems that can’t stop the Fall
in Available Clearance are Allowed, WHEN: Shortfall on Clearance, “∆C” ≠ H
• Kinetic Energy ≤ WH
140 kg x 3m x g = 4.12 kN-m
310 lb x 9.84 ft = 3050 ft-lb
• Clearly indicated on the drawings • If PEA is deploying:
• Impact Velocity ≤ Velocity Falling from Threshold (𝑭𝑨𝒗𝒈−𝑾)
∆C ≤ H
Height , “H” specified in OH&S regulations 𝑾

Falling From Truss Bottom Chord - Using a 12 foot FF Lanyard

Required Clearance (Curves do not include Clearance Margin)
14 ft 14 ft 2 Kneeling Workers
H = Equivalent Free Fall Height at Impact

No Clearance Margin - Impact is Probable

Cp = Required Clearance Below the

100 lb worker (RCP = 11.89 ft) 12 ft 1 Kneeling Worker

12 ft 150 lb worker (RCP = 12.41 ft) 10 ft
2 Standing Workers
1 Standing Worker
200 lb worker (RCP = 13.00 ft)
10 ft 8 ft
Platform

250 lb worker (RCP = 13.67 ft) 6 ft

8 ft Maximum Allowable 4 ft

2 ft Adequate Clearance Margin

6 ft 0 ft
150 lb 170 lb 190 lb 210 lb 230 lb 250 lb 270 lb 290 lb 310 lb
4 ft Worker Weight

2 ft H' = Impact Height

Worker Kneeling Worker Standing Worker
0 ft Weight 2W 1W 2W 1W
0 ft 2 ft 4 ft 6 ft 8 ft 10 ft 12 ft 14 ft 250 lb 1.33 ft 0.00 ft 0.00 ft 0.00 ft
280 lb 3.44 ft 0.94 ft 0.00 ft 0.00 ft
ACP = Available Clearance Below Bottom Chord 310 lb 5.78 ft 3.19 ft 1.02 ft 0.00 ft
 Required Clearance (Curves do not include Clearance Margin)
4.0 m
No Clearance Margin - Impact is Probable
2 Kneeling Workers
Design Assumptions and
Cp = Required Clearance Below the

1 Kneeling Worker
3.5 m
3.0 m 2 Standing Workers Analytical Methods
2.5 m 1 Standing Worker
Platform

2.0 m
1.5 m
1.0 m
Adequate Clearance Margin
0.5 m
0.0 m
70 kg 80 kg 90 kg 100 kg 110 kg 120 kg 130 kg 140 kg
Worker Weight

H' = Impact Height

Worker Kneeling Worker Standing Worker
Mass 2W 1W 2W 1W
113 kg 0.4 m 0.0 m 0.0 m 0.0 m
127 kg 1.0 m 0.3 m 0.0 m 0.0 m
141 kg 1.8 m 1.0 m 0.3 m 0.0 m

Linear Elastic Analysis Analysis

• Wire Ropes may be assumed to Methods
behave in a linear elastic manner
using E as recommended by the
manufacturer
• Synthetic Ropes may be
assumed to behave in a linear
elastic manner, with E set to give • Static Analysis
the correct stretch at the peak
impact force.
• Energy Analysis
Warning … this sometimes
• Dynamic Analysis
underestimates the peak force • Testing and
and stretch! Interpolation
Analysis

Testing
• The most expensive
analysis method!
• But …. proves or
disproves the theory
and expectations

Questions?