Z259.12-11 (R2016)

Employers have responsibility to help protect workers from falls. They can help keep workers safe through the use of traditional systems such as guardrail systems, safety net systems and personal fall protection systems; by implementing safe work practices and procedures; and by providing appropriate fall protection training.

The latest edition of CSA Z259.12 – Connecting components for personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) specifies design and performance requirements, test methods, marking requirements and the labeling of individual connecting components used as part of a personal fall arrest system.

CSA Z259.12 applies to components that are used in the interconnection of a complete PFAS unit in accordance with CSA Z259.10 – Full body harnesses - and is intended to be used as the primary single link to a permanent anchorage connector. It can also apply to components intended for use as a primary attachment point between two or more subsystems. It does not apply to anchorages or anchorage connectors.

Highlights of Z259.12

• Specifies design and performance requirements, test methods and requirements for marking and labeling individual connecting components
• Revised test procedures including the provision for Class 1 soft loop connectors
• Clear depictions of common improper loading positions

Preface

This is the second edition of CSA Z259.12, Connecting components for personal fall arrest systems (PFAS). It supersedes the previous edition, published in 2001.

Scope

1.1
This Standard specifies design and performance requirements, test methods, and requirements for marking and labelling individual connecting components used as part of a personal fall arrest system (PFAS). This Standard applies to components that are
(a) used in the interconnection of a complete PFAS unit in accordance with CSA Z259.10;
(b) intended to be used as the primary single link to a permanent anchorage connector; or
(c) intended to be used as a primary attachment point between two or more subsystems.

1.2
This Standard does not apply to anchorages or anchorage connectors.

1.3
In CSA Standards, shall is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; should is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and may is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

1.4
The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.