Appendix A – ANSI/ ASSE Z359.11
ANSI/ASSE Z359 Requirements for proper use and
maintenance of full body harnesses
Note: these are general requirements and informa-
tion provided by ANSI/ASSE Z359; The manufactur-
er of this equipment may impose more stringent re-
strictions on the use of the products they manufac-
ture, see the manufacturer's instructions.
1. It is essential that the users of this type of equip-
ment receive proper training and instruction, includ-
ing detailed procedures for the safe use of such
equipment in their work application. ANSI/ASSE
Z359.2, minimum requirements for a managed fall
protection program, establishes guidelines and re-
quirements for an employer's managed fall protec-
tion program, including policies, duties and training,
fall protection procedures, eliminating and con-
trolling fall hazards, rescue procedures, incident in-
vestigations and evaluating program effectiveness.
2. Correct fit of a full body harness is essential to
proper performance. Users must be trained to select
the size and maintain the fit of their full body har-
ness.
3. Users must follow manufacturer's instructions for
proper fit and sizing, paying particular attention to
ensure that buckles are connected and aligned cor-
rectly, leg straps and shoulder straps are kept snug
at all times, chest straps are located in the middle
chest area, and leg straps are positioned and snug
to avoid contact with the genitalia should a fall occur.
4. Full body harnesses which meet ANSI/ASSE
Z359.11 are intended to be used with other compo-
nents of a personal fall arrest system that limit max-
imum arrest forces to 1800 pounds (8 kN) or less.
5. Suspension intolerance, also called suspension
trauma or orthostatic intolerance, is a serious condi-
tion that can be controlled with good harness design,
prompt rescue, and post fall suspension relief devic-
es. A conscious user may deploy a suspension relief
device allowing the user to remove tension from
around the legs, freeing blood flow, which can delay
the onset of suspension intolerance. An attachment
element extender is not intended to be attached di-
rectly to an anchorage or anchorage connector for
fall arrest. An energy absorber must be used to limit
maximum arrest forces to 1800 pounds (8 kN). The
length of the attachment element extender may
affect free fall distances and free fall clearance cal-
culations.
6. Full body harness (FBH) stretch, the amount the
FBH component of a personal fall arrest system will
stretch and deform during a fall, can contribute to
the overall elongation of the system in stopping a fall.
It is important to include the increase in fall distance
created by FBH stretch, as well as the FBH connector
length, the settling of the user's body in the FBH, and
all other contributing factors when calculating total
clearance required for a particular fall arrest system.
7. When not in use, unused lanyard legs that are still
attached to a full body harness D-ring should not be
attached to a work positioning element or any other
structural element on the full body harness unless
deemed acceptable by the competent person and
manufacturer of the lanyard. This is especially im-
portant when using some types of Y-style lanyards,
as some [dangerous shock] load may be transmitted
to the user through the unused lanyard leg if it is not
able to release from the harness. The lanyard parking
attachment is generally located in the sternal area to
help reduce tripping and entanglement hazards.
8. Loose ends of straps can get caught in machinery
or cause accidental disengagement of an adjuster.