FALLTECH 7901 ANSI Type A Instruction Manual
- June 4, 2024
- FALLTECH
Table of Contents
FALLTECH 7901 ANSI Type A
Warnings and Important Information
WARNING
- Avoid moving machinery, thermal, electrical, and/or chemical hazards as contact may cause serious injury or death.
- Avoid swing falls.
- Follow the weight restrictions and recommendations in this manual.
- Remove from service any equipment subjected to fall arrest forces.
- Remove from service any equipment that fails inspection.
- Do not alter or intentionally misuse this equipment.
- Consult FallTech when using this equipment in combination with components or subsystems other than those described in this manual.
- Do not connect rebar hooks, large carabiners, or large snap hooks to the FBH dorsal D-rings as this may cause a roll-out condition and/or unintentional disengagement.
- Avoid sharp and/or abrasive surfaces and edges.
- Use caution when performing arc welding. Arc flash from arc welding operations, including accidental arcs from electrical equipment, can damage equipment and are potentially fatal.
- Examine the work area. Be aware of the surroundings and workplace hazards that may impact safety, security, and the functioning of fall arrest systems and components.
- Hazards may include, but are not limited to, cable or debris tripping hazards, equipment failures, personnel mistakes, or moving equipment such as carts, barrows, fork lifts, cranes, or dollies. Do not allow materials, tools, or equipment in transit to contact any part of the fall arrest system.
- Do not work under suspended loads.
IMPORTANT
This product is part of a personal fall arrest, restraint, work positioning,
suspension, or rescue system. A Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) is
Typically composed of an anchorage and a Full Body Harness (FBH), with a
connecting device, i.e., a Shock Absorbing Lanyard (SAL), or a Self-Retracting
Lanyard (SRL), attached to the dorsal D-ring of the FBH.
These instructions must be provided to the worker using this equipment. The
worker must read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions for each
component or part of the complete system. Manufacturer’s instructions must be
followed for proper use, care, and maintenance of this product. These
instructions must be retained and be kept available for the worker’s reference
at all times. Alterations or misuse of this product, or failure to follow
instructions, may result in serious injury or death.
A Fall Protection Plan must be on file and available for review by all
workers. It is the responsibility of the worker and the purchaser of this
equipment to assure that users of this equipment are properly trained in its
use, maintenance, and storage. Training must be repeated at regular intervals.
Training must not subject the trainee to fall hazards.
Consult a doctor if there is reason to doubt your fitness to safely absorb the
shock of a fall event. Age and fitness seriously affect a worker’s ability to
withstand falls. Pregnant women or minors must not use this equipment.
ANSI limits the weight of fall protection equipment users to a maximum of 310
lbs. Products in this manual may have a rated capacity exceeding ANSI capacity
limits. Heavy users experience more risk of serious injury or death due to
falls because of increased fall arrest forces placed on the user’s body. In
addition, the onset of suspension trauma after a fall event may be accelerated
for heavy users. The user of the equipment discussed in this manual must read
and understand the entire manual before beginning work.
NOTE: For more information consult the ANSI Z359 body of standards.
Description
The FallTech® Drop-In Anchor for Steel is an anchorage connector designed for
a single personal fall arrest system (PFAS). The anchor is comprised of a zinc
plated forged alloy steel anchor body with a 1/2” diameter through hole for
use with a 7/16” size shackle. See Figure 1 for component
description.
WARNING: Be sure to read, understand, and follow all instructions and warnings in this manual. Any misuse could result in serious injury or death.
Application
- Purpose: The Drop-In Anchor is designed to be used as a component in a Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS), to provide a combination of worker mobility and fall protection as required for inspection work, general construction, maintenance work, oil production, confined space work, etc.
- Personal Fall Arrest System: A PFAS is typically composed of an anchorage and a FBH, with an energy absorbing connecting device, i.e., a EAL, an SRD, or a Fall Arrester Connecting Subsystem (FACSS), attached to the dorsal D‐ring of a properly fitted and adjusted FBH. All uses and applications of a FBH with this equipment requires the FBH to be properly fitted and adjusted to the user. Failure to properly fit the FBH to the user could result in serious injury or death.
- Application Limits: The FallTech® Drop-In Anchor is designed to be used in structural steel members with a 1” +/- 1/16” diameter hole. Care should be taken to understand the capacity of the system, anchorage strength requirements, total allowable free fall, and the requirements of how the user’s PFAS deploys during a fall event. The longer the freefall, the greater the energy in the system, which will result in more significant clearance requirements and impact forces on the body. Take action to avoid sharp edges, abrasive surfaces, and thermal, electrical, and chemical hazards.
- Approved Applications: Below are applications for which all FallTech® Drop-In Anchor is specifically suited. This list is not all-inclusive, but is intended to anticipate the most common applications in which this product may be used.
- Personal Fall Arrest: The FallTech® Drop-In Anchor used as the anchorage component of a PFAS to protect the user in the event of a fall. PFAS typically consists of an anchorage, a Full Body Harness (FBH), and a deceleration device such as an Energy Absorbing Lanyard (EAL) or Self Retracting Device (SRD). Maximum permissible free fall is 6 ft (1.8 m).
- Restraint: The FallTech® Drop-In Anchor may be used as a component of a restraint system to prevent the user from reaching a fall hazard. Restraint systems typically include a full body harness containing a body belt and a lanyard or restraint line.
- Rescue: The FallTech® Drop-In Anchor may be used as an anchor in rescue operations that require specialized equipment beyond the scope of this manual.
- Horizontal Lifelines: The FallTech® Drop-In Anchor is suitable for use in any application where a horizontal lifeline has been installed under the guidance of a qualified person, and where the Free-Fall Distance does not exceed 6 ft (1.8 m).
System Requirements
- Capacity: The Drop-In Anchor covered in this manual is ANSI Z359.18 and OSHA compliant, with a listed single user capacity, including clothing, tools, etc. See Appendix A for capacity information. No more than one PFAS may be connected to the Drop-In Anchor at one time.
- Compatibility of Connectors: Connectors are considered to be compatible with connecting elements when they have been designed to work together in such a way that their sizes and shapes do not cause their gate mechanisms to open inadvertently regardless of how they become oriented. Contact FallTech® if you have any questions about compatibility. Connectors must be compatible with the anchorage or other system components. Do not use equipment that is not compatible. Non-compatible connectors may unintentionally disengage Connectors must be compatible in size, shape, and strength. Self-closing, self-locking connectors are required by ANSI and OSHA.
- Making Connections: Only use self-locking connectors with this equipment. Only use connectors that are suitable to each application. Ensure all connections are compatible in size, shape, and strength. Do not use equipment that is not compatible. Visually ensure all connectors are fully closed and locked. Connectors (snap hooks, rebar hooks, carabiners, and shackles) are designed for use only as specfied in this manual.
- Personal Fall Arrest System: PFAS used with this equipment must meet ANSI Z359 requirements and applicable OSHA regulations. An FBH must be worn when this equipment is used as a component of a PFAS. OSHA regulations require the PFAS to arrest the user’s fall with a maximum arresting force of 1,800 lbs. (8 kN) and limit the free fall to 6 feet or less. If the maximum free fall distance must be exceeded, the employer must document, based on test data, that the maximum arresting force will not be exceeded, and the PFAS will function properly.
- PFAS Anchorage Strength: An anchorage selected for a PFAS must have a strength able to sustain a static load applied in the direction permitted by the PFAS of at least:
- Two times the maximum arrest force permitted when certification exists, or
- 5,000 lbs. (22.2 kN) in the absence of certification.
Select an anchorage location carefully. Consider structural strength, obstructions in the fall path, and swing fall hazards. In certain situations, the qualified person can determine that a given structure is able to withstand the applied MAF of the PFAS with a safety factor of at least two.
Installation and Use
WARNING: Do not alter or intentionally misuse this equipment. Consult FallTech® when using this equipment in combination with components or subsystems other than those described in this manual. Installation of the Drop-In Anchor must be done under the supervision of a Competent Person trained in its design and use.
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Pre-Use Inspection: FallTech® requires that the following steps be taken during each inspection prior to use of this product.
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Inspect the Drop-In Anchor thoroughly. These anchor must not be damaged, broken, distorted, or have any sharp edges, burrs, cracks, worn parts, or corrosion.
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Inspect the product markings. All product markings must be present and fully legible.
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Inspect each system component or subsystem according to the associated manufacturer’s instructions.
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Remove from service any system component or subsystem that fails inspection.
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Anchorage Location: Select a suitable anchorage point per Section 3.3 that will support the strength requirement of Section 4.5 and minimize free fall and swing hazards. To avoid unintentional disengagement of connectors, use only compatible connectors when connecting to the anchorage. Ensure all connector close and lock securely.
DO NOT allow free fall to exceed six feet. -
Fall Clearance Distance: Take action to reduce the danger of falls. Ensure sufficient clearance in the fall area to arrest the fall before contact with the ground or other obstructions. The actual clearance required is dependent upon the type of connecting subsystem used. See user instruction manual(s) of other components in the PFAS to determine minimum required fall clearance (MRFC).
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Installation: FallTech® requires that this anchor be installed and used under the supervision of a Competent Person.
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A hole with a diameter of 1” +/- 1/16” must be drilled through the steel with the hole center at a minimum of 1-1/4” away from any edge. See Figure 3A.
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Insert the Anchor Pin through the hole in the steel. Bottom of Anchor Head shall be flush with steel surface for proper installation. See Figure 3B.
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Attach the bolt of the required 7/16” size shackle through the Connector Hole. See Figure 3C.
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Attach PFAS to the anchor with a compatible connector.
Maintenance, Service, and Storage
- Maintenance: No scheduled maintenance is required, other than the replacement of items that failed inspection. The Drop-In Anchor hardware may be cleaned with a damp rag and a mild soap and water solution. Wipe the harware dry with a clean soft cloth. Do NOT use heat to dry. Do NOT use any solvents or petroleum products to clean.
- Service: There are no specific service requirements for this system component.
- Storage: If the unit is removed from its installation location, it should be stored in a dry area free of corrosive elements that may harm or cause the product not to function.
Inspection
Pre-Use Inspection:
Please review the Pre-Use Inspection guidelines in Section 5.1 for inspection
requirement.Do not use the FallTech Drop-In Anchor or additional equipment if
it fails any part of this inspection.
Inspection Frequency:
Pre-Use: Inspect the Drop-In Anchor and additional equipment before each use
as outlined in section 5.1. All installations must be approved to local
standards by a Competent Person. Annually: The Drop-In Anchor and additional
equipment must be inspected by a Competent Person annually and recorded on the
Inspection Record provided or equivalent document.
Inspection Frequency
Type of Use
|
Application Examples
|
Example Conditions of Use
|
Worker Inspection Frequency
| Competent Person Inspection Frequency
Infrequent to Light Use| Rescue and confined space, factory maintenance|
Good storage conditions, indoor or infrequent outdoor
use, room temperature, clean environments
| Before each use| Annually
Moderate to Heavy Use| Transportation, residential construction,
utilities, warehouse| Fair storage conditions, indoor and extended outdoor
use, all temperatures, clean or dusty environments|
Before each use
| Semi-annually to annually
Severe to Continuous Use| Commercial construction, oil and gas, mining,
foundry| Harsh storage conditions, prolonged or continuous outdoor use, all
temperatures, dirty environments|
Before each use
| Quarterly to semi-annually
Inspection Results: If an inspection reveals defects in or damage to the
equipment, remove from service immediately.
Inspection Document: Record inspection results on the Inspection Record
provided on the following page or a similar document
Product Markings
The product markings must be present and legible.
Definitions
The following are general definitions of fall protection terms as defined by ANSI Z359.0-2012.
- Anchorage – A secure connecting point or a terminating component of a fall protection system or rescue system capable of safely supporting the impact forces applied by a fall protection system or anchorage subsystem.
- Anchorage Connector – A component or subsystem that functions as an interface between the anchorage and a fall protection, work positioning, rope access or rescue system for the purpose of coupling the system to the anchorage.
- Arrest Distance – The total vertical distance required to arrest a fall. The arrest distance includes the deceleration distance and activation distance.
- Authorized Person – A person assigned by the employer to perform duties at a location where the person will be exposed to a fall hazard.
- Available Clearance – The distance from a reference point, such as the working platform, to the nearest obstruction that an authorized person might contact during a fall which, if struck, could cause injury.
- Capacity – The maximum weight that a component, system or subsystem is designed to hold.
- Certification – The act of attesting in writing that the criteria established by these standards or some other designated standard have been met.
- Certified Anchorage – An anchorage for fall arrest, positioning, restraint or rescue systems that a qualified person certifies to be capable of supporting the potential fall forces that could be encountered during a fall.
- Clearance – The distance from a specified reference point, such as the working platform or anchorage of a fall arrest system, to the lower level that a worker might encounter during a fall.
- Clearance Requirement – The distance below an authorized person that must remain clear of obstructions in order to ensure that the authorized person does not make contact with any objects that would cause injury in the event of a fall.
- Competent Person – An individual designated by the employer to be responsible for the immediate supervision, implementation and monitoring of the employer’s managed fall protection program who, through training and knowledge, is capable of identifying, evaluating and addressing existing and potential fall hazards, and who has the employer’s authority to take prompt corrective action with regard to such hazards.
- Component – An element or integral assembly of interconnected elements intended to perform one function in the system.
- Connecting Subsystem – An assembly, including the necessary connectors, comprised of all components, subsystems, or both, between the anchorage or anchorage connector and the harness attachment point.
- Connector – A component or element that is used to couple parts of the system together.
- Deceleration Distance – The vertical distance between the user’s fall arrest attachment at the onset of fall arrest forces during a fall, and after the fall arrest attachment comes to a complete stop.
- Energy (Shock) Absorber – A component whose primary function is to dissipate energy and limit deceleration forces which the system imposes on the body during fall arrest.
- Fall Arrest – The action or event of stopping a free fall or the instant where the downward free fall has been stopped.
- Fall Hazard – Any location where a person is exposed to a potential free fall.
- Free Fall – The act of falling before a fall protection system begins to apply forces to arrest the fall.
- Free Fall Distance – The vertical distance traveled during a fall, measured from the onset of a fall from a walking working surface to the point at which the fall protection system begins to arrest the fall.
- Harness, Full Body – A body support designed to contain the torso and distribute the fall arrest forces over at least the upper thighs, pelvis, chest and shoulders.
- Horizontal Lifeline – A component of a horizontal lifeline subsystem, consisting of a flexible line with connectors or other coupling means at both ends for securing it horizontally between two anchorages or anchorage connectors.
- Horizontal Lifeline Subsystem – An assembly, including the necessary connectors, comprised of a horizontal lifeline component and, optionally, of:
- a) An energy absorbing component or, b) A lifeline tensioner component, or both. This subsystem is normally attached at each end to an anchorage or anchorage connector. The end anchorages have the same elevation.
- Horizontal Lifeline – A component of a horizontal lifeline subsystem, consisting of a flexible line with connectors or other coupling means at both ends for securing it horizontally between two anchorages or anchorage connectors.
- Horizontal Lifeline Subsystem – An assembly, including the necessary connectors, comprised of a horizontal lifeline component and, optionally, of:
- a) An energy absorbing component or, b) A lifeline tensioner component, or both. This subsystem is normally attached at each end to an anchorage or anchorage connector. The end anchorages have the same elevation.
- Lanyard – A component consisting of a flexible rope, wire rope or strap, which typically has a connector at each end for connecting to the body support and to a fall arrester, energy absorber, anchorage connector or anchorage.
- Lanyard Connecting Subsystem – An assembly, including the necessary connectors, comprised of a lanyard only, or a lanyard and energy absorber.
- Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) – An assembly of components and subsystems used to arrest a person in a free fall.
- Positioning – The act of supporting the body with a positioning system for the purpose of working with hands free.
- Positioning Lanyard – A lanyard used to transfer forces from a body support to an anchorage or anchorage connector in a positioning system.
- Qualified Person – A person with a recognized degree or professional certificate and with extensive knowledge, training and experience in the fall protection and rescue field who is capable of designing, analyzing, evaluating and specifying fall protection and rescue systems.
- Self-Retracting Device (SRD) – A device that contains a drum wound line that automatically locks at the onset of a fall to arrest the user, but that pays out from and automatically retracts onto the drum during normal movement of the person to whom the line is attached. After onset of a fall, the device automatically locks the drum and arrests the fall. Self-retracting devices include self-retracting lanyards (SRLs), self-retracting lanyards with integral rescue capability (SRL-Rs), and self-retracting lanyards with leading edge capability (SRL-LEs) and, hybrid combinations of these.
- Snaphook – A connector comprised of a hook-shaped body with a normally closed gate or similar arrangement that may be opened to permit the hook to receive an object and, when released, automatically closes to retain the object.
- Swing Fall – A pendulum-like motion that occurs during and/or after a vertical fall. A swing fall results when an authorized person begins a fall from a position that is located horizontally away from a fixed anchorage.
Appendix A
Table 1: Specifications for Drop-In Anchor
Part Numbers| Minimum Tensile Strength and Material|
Maximum User Capacity| Standards & Regulations| Image
| | ****
310 lbs to comply with
| ****
ANSI Z359.18-
2017
Type A
OSHA 1926.502
|
7901| Zinc Plated Forged Alloy| ANSI Z359.18 and OSHA
790130| Steel:|
| Minimum 5,000 lbs|
Drop-In Anchor| | 425 lbs to comply with
| | OSHA only
FallTech 1306
- S. Alameda Street, Compton, CA 90221,
- USA Tel: 800-719-4619
- Fax: 323-752-5613