1	What is ANSI?
2	What is the general scope of the ANSI Z359-2007 Standard? The ANSI Z359-2007 Standard is a newly approved American National Standard that addresses fall protection requirements for General Industry. ANSI Z359-2007 is an umbrella standard for a series of fall protection-related sub-sections.
3	What is the general scope of the ANSI Z359-2007 Standard? The sub-sections that have been completed and approved, effective October 15, 2007,
4	What is the general scope of the ANSI Z359-2007 Standard? In addition to the five (5) ANSI Z359 sub-sections that have passed, an additional twelve (12) sub-sections are currently under development. No effective completion dates have been announced for the additional twelve sub-sections.
5	Is ANSI Z359-2007 a completely new standard or a revision of an existing standard? The ANSI Z359 Standard first went into effect in 1992 as ANSI Z359.1-1992 American National Standard for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems and Components. The Standard had minor revisions in 1999 and was published under ANSI Z359.1-1992 (R1999). As stated previously, the new ANSI Z359-2007 Standard includes sub-sections.
6	Is ANSI Z359-2007 a voluntary or mandatory standard? As with all American National Standards, ANSI Z359-2007 is a voluntary General Industry standard.
7	Does ANSI Z359-2007 cover the Construction Industry? No. ANSI has a separate standard, ANSI A10.32-2004, which addresses fall protection safety in construction.
8	When does ANSI Z359-2007 go into effect? The first five (5) sub-sections referenced above are effective October 15, 2007. Currently, no effective completion dates have been announced for the additional twelve (12) sub-sections.
9	Is there a grace period? No, there is no grace period. The first five (5) sub-sections were passed in May 2007 and are effective October 15, 2007.
10	What change in the Standard has the greatest impact from a PRODUCT perspective? One change in the Standard that has received significant attention is the requirement for a stronger gate on locking snap hooks. This change is covered in Z359.1 Section 3.2.1.4 of the new Standard.
11	Changes
12	How do I know if a locking snap hook or carabiner meets the new ANSI Z359-2007 Standard? Connectors that meet the new Standard will have the following markings stamped or permanently marked on the connector: ► Load rating for the major axis. Load rating for the gate. Connectors that are non-integral to a fall protection device must include the standard reference “Z359.1(07).” There are additional marking requirements for connectors which include: ► Year of manufacture Manufacturer’s identification Part number Markings must be sufficient to provide traceability
13	With the increased strength of ANSI-compliant locking snap hook gates, is it possible to misuse the new snap hook or does design prevent failure in all applications? Using a snap hook with a gate strength of 3,600 lbs. does not eliminate the potential for misuse. The new snap hook should be used according to the same manufacturer’s instructions as the snap hook that has complied with the old ANSI Z359.1 Standard and current OSHA 1926 Regulation.
14	What should be done with existing products that do not meet the new ANSI Standard? Since ANSI Z359.1 is a voluntary General Industry Standard that does not include the Construction Industry, the answer to this question must be decided by your company. Companies that do not adopt ANSI Z359-2007 will not need to adopt the changes in the new Standard.