Question concerning use of Manual-Locking Carabiners. What are your thoughts on the use of a Manual-locking carabiner as the connecting device between an SRL and an ancorage connector?

I had written a "do not use" statement for these type devices in our local Safety Standard; however, I have several folks who do not agree and wanted me to take the statement out of the standard. It seems we have a few of these devices and supervision does not want to toss them.

Why would we make this compromise in a safety rule just because it may have some merit due to procedure, training or use? People forget to screw up tight; that is the problem so it needs to be automatic closure and locking as a general rule.

I do not believe any manual screw locking is advisable in any planned safety application involving fall protection with a connector such as a carabiner or snaphook going forward.

There will be big changes happening with the Z359.0-4 printing in June by ASSE and effective date October 15th. The biggest change is snaphook gates going from 220 lbs to 3600 lbs in all directions.

Manual lock carabiners should be tested with 3600 lbs worst case and of course they will open with a few ounces of force if unscrewed in this worst case situation. Why would we make this compromise in a safety rule just because it may have some merit due to procedure, training or use? People forget to screw up tight; that is the problem so it needs to be automatic closure and locking as a general rule.