The Short Answer: ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 replaced the old Class A and Class B SRL system with Class 1 and Class 2. Class 1 self-retracting lifelines are rated for overhead anchorage at or above the worker's dorsal D-ring, with a maximum free fall distance of 2 feet. Class 2 SRLs are rated for anchorage up to 5 feet below the dorsal D-ring and are tested for leading edge and foot-level tie-off applications, with a maximum free fall distance of 6 feet over an edge. Choosing the right class starts with the anchor point and the conditions around it.
Understanding the Current SRL Classification System
The self-retracting lifeline on your jobsite is classified under a system that many safety professionals are still catching up to. ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 replaced the old Class A and Class B designations with Class 1 and Class 2, and the performance requirements behind those classifications changed just as much as the labels did.
If you are still specifying SRLs based on the previous standard, it is worth reviewing your fall protection plan against the current one. ANSI Z359.14 is a voluntary consensus standard, not an OSHA regulation, so the 2021 update does not automatically require older SRLs to be pulled from service. Equipment built to the previous edition can remain in use when it still meets the applicable requirements, is used within the manufacturer’s instructions, and passes the required inspections. Malta Dynamics designed our full SRL lineup around the updated standard, and we built this to help you match the right ANSI class to every anchor point on your construction site.
What Changed in ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) released the updated standard in 2021. It overhauled how self-retracting lifelines are classified, tested and labeled.
New Classification System
The old standard used Class A for devices with limited free fall distance and Class B for extended arrest distances. The 359.14-2021 class system replaced those designations with Class 1 and Class 2, raising the performance requirements for each.
Class 1 SRLs limit free fall distance to 2 feet. These devices are built for overhead anchorage at or above the worker's dorsal D-ring.
Class 2 SRLs allow anchorage up to 5 feet below the worker's dorsal D-ring. That means they cover foot-level tie-off and leading edge protection applications where a Class 1 is not rated to perform. The maximum free fall distance over an edge is 6 feet, and the device must pass sharp edges and swing-fall testing to earn the rating.
Device Type Designators
The updated standard also introduced three device type designators that appear alongside the class rating on every product label.
A label might read "Class 1 SRL-P" or "Class 2 SRL." Both the class and the device type matter when selecting a self-retracting device for a specific application.
What to Look for on the Label
Every self-retracting lifeline manufactured under the current standard should display its ANSI class, device type and rated lifeline length. For Class 2 devices, the updated standard also requires the manufacturer to provide fall clearance charts that show the total clearance needed for different installation heights and anchor positions, because a leading-edge fall needs more clearance than an overhead one. Use those charts, not a single rule of thumb, to confirm there is enough clearance below the work. If you pick up an SRL and the label still references Class A or Class B, that device was built to an older standard. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to confirm whether it meets current performance requirements.
Class 1 SRLs for Overhead Anchorage
Class 1 is the standard classification for SRLs used with an overhead anchor. The anchorage point must sit at or above the height of the worker’s dorsal D-ring. That positioning limits free fall distance to 2 feet and keeps fall clearance manageable.
These devices are designed for most overhead anchorage scenarios in the construction industry. Applications include structural steel with beam clamps, fixed roof anchors and mobile fall arrest systems positioned above the work area.
Malta Dynamics builds several Class 1 options across different device types:
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The Wild Boar SRL comes in two forms. The standard Class 1 version uses a galvanized steel cable and is available in 30-foot (10.54 lbs) and 50-foot (16 lbs) lengths for longer overhead reach. The 6-foot Wild Boar Personal is a Class 1-P unit with a UHMWPE lifeline, rated for overhead use only, that clips directly to the worker’s dorsal D-ring for close-range work and weighs as little as 2.7 lbs depending on hook and single- or dual-leg configuration.
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The Hybrid Hog SRL delivers faster fall arrest with reduced fall clearance, with a 24-inch maximum arresting distance, in 20-foot (11.3 lbs) and 30-foot (12.1 lbs) galvanized cable lengths.
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The Warthog SRL is available in 50-foot and 90-foot cable lengths for long-reach overhead tie-off on larger structures.
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The Razorback 3-Way Recovery SRL is an SRL-R with an integrated rescue winch, available as a 100-foot unit (40 lbs), for sites where the rescue plan requires on-device retrieval. It is distinct from the 30-foot Razorback Heavy-Duty SRL, which is a Class 1 device without the rescue winch.
If your anchorage point sits overhead and the work zone presents no sharp edges or foot-level anchor conditions, a Class 1 SRL is the correct selection.
Class 2 SRLs for Leading Edge and Foot-Level Tie-Off
Class 2 SRLs are rated for the conditions Class 1 devices cannot handle. When the anchor point sits at or below the worker's feet, at a foot-level anchor or along a leading edge, you need a device rated for the longer free fall distance and the contact with sharp edges that comes with it.
Under ANSI Z359.14-2021, a Class 2 self-retracting lifeline must limit free fall distance to 6 feet when the lifeline deploys over an edge. The device also has to pass testing over sharp edges that simulate real jobsite conditions like steel decking, concrete forms and rebar grids. Passing that edge test does not make a Class 2 SRL suitable for every sharp edge, however. Each device is approved for specific edge types and radii, and some edges, such as very thin or serrated metal, can fall outside what a given SRL is rated for. Always confirm the edge conditions on site against the manufacturer’s approved applications and limitations before tying off.
The EdgeHog SRL is Malta Dynamics’ Class 2 line, available with a steel snap hook in 20-foot (9.3 lbs), 30-foot (9.9 lbs) and 50-foot (15.61 lbs) lengths. It uses a galvanized steel cable and quick-action braking that engages during a fall. For leading-edge falls, the spec sheet lists a 6-foot maximum free fall distance, a 24-inch minimum setback, and 18.5 feet of clearance required when falling over an edge, so check the device’s fall clearance chart against your installation.
For workers who need a personal Class 2 option, the EdgeHog Dual SRL carries a Class 2-P rating and mounts to the harness with a backpack-style energy absorber. It is available in 6-foot and 10-foot lengths with snap or rebar hook options, and its dual-leg design provides 100% tie-off during transitions between anchor points.
When You Need Class 2
Any time the self-retracting lifeline will deploy over an edge or the anchorage point sits below the dorsal D-ring, Class 2 is required. Common scenarios include:
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Foot-level tie-off on structural steel where overhead anchorage is not available
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Leading edge work on metal decking, concrete pours or roofing
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Edge applications where the lifeline path crosses sharp edges during a fall
A Class 1 SRL used at a foot-level anchor will exceed its rated free fall distance and may fail to arrest the fall within acceptable deceleration distance limits. The wrong class on the wrong anchor point is both a compliance gap and a life-safety risk.
How to Choose the Right SRL for Your Jobsite
Selecting the right self-retracting device is not decided by anchorage height alone. A competent person should weigh several factors together: where the anchor sits, the available fall clearance, the potential for a swing fall, whether the lifeline could contact an edge, and whether the device is compatible with the harness and anchor it connects to. Evaluate each tie-off location against these criteria before any worker clips in:
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Where Is the Anchorage Point? If the anchor point is at or above the worker's dorsal D-ring, a Class 1 SRL is appropriate. If the anchor sits at foot level or below the D-ring, you need a Class 2.
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Will the Lifeline Cross an Edge? Edge applications require a Class 2 SRL tested to ANSI Z359.14-2021 edge requirements. Even if the anchorage point is overhead, a lifeline that could contact a sharp edge during a fall needs a device rated for that contact, used within its approved edge applications.
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Is There a Swing-Fall Risk? If a worker can move horizontally away from the anchor, a fall becomes a pendulum swing that can slam them into a structure or increase the fall distance. Keep the anchor as directly overhead as the work allows, and account for swing-fall exposure when positioning the tie-off.
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What Is Your Fall Clearance? Fall clearance is the total vertical distance needed to arrest a fall before the worker hits a lower level. It includes free fall distance, deceleration distance, energy absorber deployment and the worker's height. Cable SRLs and web SRLs have different arrest distance profiles, so check the manufacturer's instructions for clearance calculations specific to your device.
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Which Device Type Fits? An SRL mounts to a fixed or mobile anchor point. An SRL-P is designed to be worn on the harness, and many personal units can be used singly or in pairs for 100% tie-off during transitions; check each device’s instructions for its approved mounting and configurations rather than assuming one setup. An SRL-R adds integrated rescue capability for sites where the rescue plan requires it. Match the device type to your rescue plan and how workers move across the site.
Get the Right SRL on Every Worker
The shift from Class A/B to Class 1/2 changed more than the names. The updated standard raised the bar for edge testing and product labeling across the industry. Every safety professional running a fall protection program should review the current ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 safety requirements and confirm that the SRLs on site match the anchor points they connect to.
Malta Dynamics stocks Class 1 and Class 2 self-retracting lifelines in overhead, personal and rescue configurations. Browse the full SRL collection and pair them with harnesses and anchors rated for the same applications.
Need help building a site-specific fall protection plan or training your crew on the new classifications? Malta Dynamics offers on-site training and equipment inspections to put the right gear behind every tie-off point on your site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 SRLs?
Class 1 SRLs are rated for anchorage at or above the dorsal D-ring with a maximum free fall of 2 feet. Class 2 SRLs allow anchorage up to 5 feet below the D-ring, are edge-tested, and permit up to 6 feet of free fall over an edge.
Can I use a Class 1 SRL at foot level?
No. Foot-level tie-off requires a Class 2 SRL rated for the longer free fall distance and potential edge contact. Always follow the manufacturer's anchorage and clearance requirements.
What replaced Class A and Class B SRLs?
ANSI/ASSP Z359.14-2021 replaced the Class A and Class B designations with Class 1 and Class 2, which classify devices by permitted anchorage locations and leading-edge capability. The updated standard also changed testing, labeling, and clearance requirements. Because it is a voluntary consensus standard rather than an OSHA regulation, older SRLs do not have to be replaced automatically as long as they remain suitable for their intended use, meet applicable requirements, and pass inspection.
How do I know which class my current SRL is rated for?
Check the product label and manufacturer's instructions for the ANSI standard version, class, device type, and rated lifeline length. If the label references Class A or Class B, the device was certified under an older version of the standard and should not automatically be treated as Class 1 or Class 2.
What does SRL-P mean?
SRL-P stands for Self-Retracting Lifeline, Personal. It is a compact unit designed to attach directly to a full-body harness, typically at the dorsal D-ring. Depending on the model, it can be used as a single unit or in pairs for 100% tie-off. Check its class rating and manufacturer's instructions to confirm permitted anchorage locations.
