MILLER Shock Absorber Supplement Instruction Manual
- June 3, 2024
- Miller
Table of Contents
MILLER Shock Absorber Supplement
Miller Fall Protection is dedicated to product development and user needs, and therefore offers different shock absorber styles as well as products that meet different performance specifica- tions for personal shock absorbers and shock- absorbing lanyards. It is imperative to know and understand these differences to ensure safety on the jobsite.
Shock Absorber Styles
- There are two primary Miller shock absorber styles for lanyards: built-in and pack.
- The built-in shock absorber is a specially-woven inner core within a tubular lanyard that smoothly expands to reduce fall arrest forces.
- The pack shock absorber is a readily visible component of the lanyard. Inside the pack is a Specially-WOven inner core that smoothly expands to reduce fall arrest forces as wel as a heavy-duty back- up safety strap.
Shock Absorber Performance Specifications
Whether bilt-in or pack style, Miller personal shock absorbers and shock- absorbing lanyards fall into different peformance categories. These differences are based on whether the shock absorber was designed for a specific user application [6 ft. (1.83m) free fall or up to a potential 12 ft. (3.66m) free fall when deemed necessary; minimum and maximum worker weight capaci- ties] and/or whether the shock absorber was engineered and tested to specific standards [ANSI Z359.1, ANSI Z359.13, ANSI A10.32 or CSA Z259.11].
It is essential to refer to product labeling to determine the standards met by your particular product and relative specifications regarding capacities, allowable free fall, elongation characteristics and potential fall arrest forces.
Important Notes
- All Miller personal shock absorbers and shock-absorbing lanyards are OSHA compliant.
- When a product is marked as meeting more than one standard, the performance specifications of the most stringent of the requirements are listed on the labeling.
- Table is based on ambient dry conditioning test performance requirements. For additional conditioning test requirements, refer to the standard. [Miller Fall Protection also provides an ANZI Z359.13-2009 informational supplement, available at www.millerfallprotection.com, to increase awareness and gain understanding of this recent ANSI standard and its design and testing requirements.]
Standards
| Maximum Allowable Free Fall| Minimum Capacity|
Maximum Capacity| Maximum Arrest Force| Average Arrest
Force| Maximum Elongation
---|---|---|---|---|---|---
ANSI A10.32| 6 ft. (1.83m)| N/A| 310 lbs. (140.6kg)| 1800 lbs. (8kN)| N/A| 3.5
ft. (1.1m)
ANSI Z359.1| 6 ft. (1.83m)| 130 lbs. (59kg)| 310 lbs. (140.6kg)| 1800 lbs.
(8kN)| N/A| 3.5 ft. (1.1m)
*ANSI Z359.13| 6 ft. (1.83m)| 130 lbs. (59kg)| 310 lbs. (140.6kg)| 1800 lbs. (8kN)| 900 lbs. (4kN)| 4 ft. (1.2m)
**ANSI Z359.13 [For a
12 ft. (3.66m) Free Fall]
| 12 ft. (3.66m)| 130 lbs. (59kg)| 310 lbs. (140.6kg)| 1800 lbs. (8kN)| 1350
lbs. (6kN)| 5 ft. (1.5m)
CSA Z259.11 Class E4| 6 ft. (1.83m)| 100 lbs.
(45 kg)
| 254 lbs. (115kg)| 900 lbs. (4kN)| N/A***| 3.9 ft. (1.2m)
CSA Z259.11 Class E6| 6 ft. (1.83m)| 200 lbs.
(90 kg)
| 386 lbs. (175kg)| 1300 lbs. (6kN)| N/A**| 5.7 ft. (1.75m)
The ANSI Z359.13-2009 standard increased the steel test weight used by manufacturers to test personal shock absorbers and shock-absorbing lanyards from 220 to 282 lbs. (100-128kg). Because of the heavier test weight requirement, the ANSI standard now allows for greater shock absorber elongation.
**The ANSI Z359.13 standard addresses design and performance requirements for double-pack shock absorbers, such as the Miller MAX shock absorbers and Titan X2 shock absorbers, which may be used for a 12-foot (3.66m) free fall situation. Alternative means of fall protection should always be investigated prior to using systems that allow for free falls greater than 6 ft. (1.83m). [Note: Miller MAX and Titan X2 shock absorbers may also be used for workers weighing between 311 lbs. (141kg) and 400 lbs. (181.4kg), but free fall must be limited to 6 ft. (1.83m) or less in this application.]
***Average arrest force of Miller E4 shock absorbers: 874 lbs. (3.8kN); Average arrest force of Miller E6 shock absorbers: 1250 lbs. (5.6kN)
MAXIMUM CAPACITY WARNING: If the system is used by an employee having a combined tool and body weight between 310 lbs. (140.6 kg) and 400 lbs. (181.4 kg), then the employer must appropriately modify the criteria and protocols to provide proper protection for such heavier weights, or the system will not be deemed to be in compliance with the requirements of OSHA 1926.502(d)(16).
ANSI Z359.13 WARNING: If the labels and/or instructions of other Miller Fall Protection products and systems indicate that they are only to be used with personal fall arrest equipment that limits maximum fall arrest forces to 900 lbs. (4kN) or less, do not use with new ANSI Z359.13-2009 compliant product until otherwise authorized to do so by Miller Fall Protection. Contact Miller Technical Services for further information.
If there are any questions regarding the differences between Miller shock absorbers and shock absorbing products and their specified performance characteristics, please contact Miller Technical Services before using the equipment.
Calculating Fall Clearance Distance
It is essential to understand how to calculate potential fall clearance for each work application to avoid contact with a lower level. Use the folowing calculation to determine Required Fall Clearance.
Shock-Absorbing Lanyard Fall Clearance Calculation
Calculation taken from connection point of lanyard to anchorage or anchorage connector
- Length of Lanyard
- +Maximum Elongation/Deceleration Distance
- +1 ft. (.3m) Harness Stretch/Sliding Back D-Ring Movement
- +Height to Worker’s Back D-Ring
- +3 ft. (9m) Safety Factor
- Required Fall Clearance
NOTE: A fall clearance calculation made from the anchor point must take
into consideration the length of the anchorage connector being used
.
__**Sample Calculation**
Ihe following illustration demonstrates a sample calculation using a shocK-
absorbing lanyard. when actually calculating fall clearance distance, the
authorized person/user must consider all variables, including but not limited
to, the height of the worker, the length of the lanyard, the specified
maximumelongation of the lanyard, and the anchorage connector used, and then
make necessary adjust ments to the calculation.
If there is any question about calculating fall clearance distance, please contact Miller Fall Protection Technical Services Department at 1-800-873-5242.
Download this manual at:
www.millerfallprotection.com
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