The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved a new series of workplace fall-protection standards, with the first stage set to be in effect as of Oct. 15.

The new Z359 Fall Protection/Arrest Code, developed by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), ultimately will total about 500 pages of documents that direct workplace safety procedures. The initial standard raises the "gate strength" requirements of safety snap-hooks from a maximum of 350 pounds to 3,600 pounds–a tenfold increase.

The code is a voluntary standard (only California requires adherence to ANSI standards) until it's made law under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). However, most safety equipment manufacturers will abide by the code, according to Randy Wingfield, chairman of the ANSI Z359 committee.

"There are much tougher standards coming, and a lot of them include training requirements" for on-the-job fall and arrest protection, says Wingfield. He adds that earlier standards focused on equipment and not training, which is an essential element in the effectiveness of safety equipment.

Wingfield says he expects that OSHA eventually will enforce the new code. Contractors and workers in the market for ANSI-compliant safety equipment should check gear manufactured after Oct. 15 to ensure it meets the new, higher standard.

Work-related falls amounted to more than a quarter-million injuries and 735 deaths in 2005, the last year for which complete figures are available.