Height Safety

EN 361
EUROPEAN SAFTY HARNESS STANDARD

EN 361 is the standard applied to Full Body Harnesses designed to hold the user in place and spread the load in the case of a fall arrest scenario (i.e. being brought to a stop following a period of free-fall). 

THERE ARE 3 MAIN PERFORMANCE TESTS IN EN361: 

DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
This test aims to simulate the behaviour of the harness in a real- life scenario by subjecting it to a shock test for a load greater than what it would experience in use. Particular focus is given to the angle at which the user is held in the event of a fall. The harness is fitted with a 100kg solid torso dummy attached to a 2 metre length of 11mm mountaineering rope connected to a solid anchorage point and dropped in free fall for 4 metres. The test is carried out twice on each harness, once from a heads-up position, once from a heads-down position (i.e. with the dummy upside down on release). In order to pass the test the harness must hold the dummy after both drops in a position not exceeding 50 degrees from the upright position.

STRENGTH TESTS
Strength tests known as tensile tests are used to gauge the breaking strength of whole products including harnesses and lanyards. Tensile forces are usually applied for at least 3 minutes to ensure that the breaking strength of the product is in excess of the force specified by the standard. These are based on a safety factor of 6kN, where KN equals Kilonewtons a measure of force.

• Harnesses are subject to 15kN when applied in an upward direction and 10kN when applied in a downward direction.
• Lanyards are either subjected to 22kN or 15 kN applied between the attachment points depending on the materials used.

CORROSION RESISTANCE
The aim of this test is to prove that metallic components used in fall protection equipment can withstand a minimal resistance to environmental corrosion (specifically rust). In order to prove this, metal components are placed in a sealed chamber for 24 to 48 hours and subjected to salt water mist designed to induce rust in unprotected metals. They are then examined for rust and function afterwards.

EN 358:2000 / EN 813:2008
EUROPEAN WORK POSITIONING / SIT HARNESSES STANDARD

HARNESSES (OR ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENTS ON A FULL BODY HARNESS) INTENDED FOR USE WHERE FREE-FALL IS NOT USED – IN PARTICULAR, WORK POSITIONING / RESTRAINT AND FOR USE IN ABSEILING OR ROPE ACCESS.

DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
As with full body harnesses, work positioning and sit / abseil harnesses are subjected to a drop test to generate a shock load on the harness. However, commensurate with the end use, a lesser force is applied to the harness as the possibility of a period of free-fall is significantly less in use. Work positioning attachments are subjected to a 1 metre drop with a 1 metre length of rope, whereas sit harnesses are dropped over a distance of 2 metres with a 1 metre length of rope. In both cases, the harness is required only to safely arrest the fall of the test dummy following the drop.

STATIC STRENGTH
Whole products are subjected to tensile tests. Belts, harnesses and lanyards are subject to a 15kN tensile force. Tensile forces are applied and held for at least 3 minutes, to ensure the breaking strength of the product is in excess of the force specified by the standard.

CORROSION RESISTANCE
Metallic components used in fall protection equipment are subjected to a neutral salt-spray test intended to prove a minimum resistance to environmental corrosion (specifically rust). Products are held within a sealed chamber, which is filled with a salt-water mist, which can induce rust in unprotected metals. Products are subjected to either 24 or 48 hours exposure and examined for rusting and function afterward.

EN 355
EUROPEAN SHOCK ABSORBING LANYARD STANDARD

EN355 relates to lanyards intended for use in connecting the attachment point of a full body harness to a suitable anchorage device. the lanyard includes a shock absorbing element, intended to reduce the force applied to the user by gradually arresting the fall.

THERE ARE 3 MAIN PERFORMANCE TESTS IN EN355:

DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
Shock absorbing lanyards are subject to a drop test, intended to assess the performance of the lanyard in terms of its ability to arrest a fall within a maximum distance, whilst maintaining the force to a suitable maximum. In particular, the lanyard should not deploy (stretch, open, tear) beyond a maximum length of 1.75 metres, with a maximum force of 6 kN, following a fall using a minimum solid mass of 100 kg, dropped over a distance of twice the length of the lanyard. Where energy absorbers are intended to be sold separately to the lanyard (i.e. as a component), they are extended with chain to a length of 2 metres, with the mass dropped over a distance of 4 metres.

STATIC STRENGTH
Whole products are subjected to tensile tests. Energy absorbers are subject to a 15 kN tensile force. Tensile forces are applied and held for at least 3 minutes, to ensure the breaking strength of the product is in excess of the force specified by the standard.

CORROSION RESISTANCE
Metallic components used in fall protection equipment are subjected to a neutral salt-spray test intended to prove a minimum resistance to environmental corrosion (specifically rust). Products are held within a sealed chamber, which is filled with a salt-water mist, which can induce rust in unprotected metals. Products are subjected to either 24 or 48 hours exposure and examined for rusting and function afterward.

EN 795
EUROPEAN ANCHOR DEVICE STANDARD

EN795 relates to devices intended to form the interface between the fall arrest system (harnesses, lanyards, retractable lanyards etc.) and the structure. these can be in the form of single bolts, slings, deadweight devices or anchor systems (rails or cables).

THERE ARE 3 MAIN PERFORMANCE TESTS IN EN795:

DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
Anchor devices are subject to a series of drop tests carried out on the device xed as intended, in every intended direction of use. This can often mean a series of tests with the device fitted to a number of different substrates. This can often mean testing on a very large scale, as devices need to be installed as it would be used (often tted to sample roof surfaces or structures). The tests required are dependant on the class of the device.

STATIC STRENGTH
Whole anchor products are subjected to tensile tests. These forces are usually between 12 kN and 18 kN depending on the type of anchor device. Tensile forces are applied and held for at least 3 minutes, to ensure the breaking strength of the product is in excess of the force specified by the standard.

CORROSION RESISTANCE
Metallic components used in fall protection equipment are subjected to a neutral salt-spray test intended to prove a minimum resistance to environmental corrosion (specically rust). Products are held within a sealed chamber, which is fitted with a salt-water mist, which can induce rust in unprotected metals. Products are subjected to two periods each of 24 hours exposure, separated by a 1 hour drying period, and examined for rusting and function afterward.

EN 360
EUROPEAN FALL ARREST BLOCKS/ RETRACTABLE LIFELINE DEVICE STANDARD

EN360 relates to devices which contain a lanyard for attachment between a full body harness and a suitable anchorage device. in these devices, the lanyard will retract (under a spring loaded mechanism) back onto a drum in the casing of the device. in the case of a fall, a braking device (or similar) will cause the drum to lock, arresting the fall of the user in as short a distance as possible.

THERE ARE 4 MAIN PERFORMANCE TESTS IN EN360:

DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
Retractable lanyards are subject to a drop test similar to that used for lanyards (using a solid 100 kg test mass, measuring arrest distance and arrest force). However, the drop height for this test is xed at 600 mm, irrespective of the total length of the device. A clip is applied to the lanyard at 600 mm to prevent it being retracted back into the case, and allow a clear freefall. The lanyard should not deploy beyond a maximum length of 1.4 metres (essentially arresting the fall within 2 metres from the point of release), with a maximum arrest force of 6 kN.

LOCKING AFTER CONDITIONING
In the case of mechanical devices, additional testing is required to ensure they are not adversely affected by environmental conditions. Devices are checked for their locking function (by dropping a mass of at least 5 kg) following conditioning to high temperature (50°C, 85 % relative humidity for at least 2 hours), low temperature (-30°C for at least 2 hours) and water (sprayed at 70 litres per hour for at least 3 hours). Optional testing following submersion in diesel oil or dust can also be included.

CORROSION RESISTANCE
Metallic components used in fall protection equipment are subjected to a neutral salt-spray test intended to prove a minimum resistance to environmental corrosion (especially rust). Products are held within a sealed chamber, which is filled with a salt-water mist, which can induce rust in unprotected metals. Products are subjected to either 24 or 48 hours exposure and examined for rusting and function afterward.

STATIC STRENGTH
Whole products are subjected to tensile tests. Textile lanyards are subject to a 15 kN tensile force and metal to 12 kN. Tensile forces are applied and held for at least 3 minutes, to ensure the breaking strength of the product is in excess of the force specified by the standard.

EN 362
EUROPEAN HEIGHT SAFETY CONNECTORS STANDARD

Systems made up of a line intended to be fixed (either temporarily or permanently) to a structure at the top only, on which a travelling device is attached. the user connects to this travelling device when climbing or descending – in the case of a fall, the travelling device should grip the line and arrest the fall.

THERE ARE 2 MAIN PERFORMANCE TESTS IN EN362:

STATIC STRENGTH
Connectors are subject to a range of tensile strength tests, applied in several directions, depending on the type of connector. Where a connector has only one possible direction of loading (e.g. where one end of the connector is permanently attached to another component), loading is applied in only one direction. However, where foreseeable misuse could result in loading being applied in directions other than the ‘main’ direction, testing is required in both the major (length) axis and minor (width) axis. In addition, where connectors do not automatically lock on closure, testing is carried out with gate both locked and unlocked.

In the case of EN 362, tensile loads are applied and held for 3 minutes, whereas in EN 12275, the load is increased to the point where breakage occurs. Therefore, it is important when comparing products, to be aware of which standard the connector has been tested to.

CORROSION RESISTANCE
Metallic components used in fall protection equipment are subjected to a neutral salt-spray test intended to prove a minimum resistance to environmental corrosion (especially rust). Products are held within a sealed chamber, which is filled with a salt-water mist, which can induce rust in unprotected metals. Products are subjected to either 24 or 48 hours exposure and examined for rusting and function afterward.

EN 353-2:2002
EUROPEAN GUIDED TYPE FALL ARRESTERS STANDARD

EN 353-2:2002 specifies the requirements, test methods, marking, manufacturer information, and packaging for guided type fall arresters that include flexible anchor lines (e.g., those that can be secured to an upper anchor point). Guided type fall arresters with include flexible anchor lines in conformance with this European standard are subsystems constituting one of the fall arrest systems covered by EN 363. Other types of fall arresters are described in EN 353-1 or EN 360. Energy absorbers are detailed in EN 355

THERE ARE 4 MAIN PERFORMANCE TESTS IN EN353-2:

DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
Guided type fall arresters are subject to a drop test using a 100 kg mass, dropped over the maximum distance the device will allow – essentially by raising the mass until the travelling device begins to slide up the cable or rail. The device should not deploy more (by movement of the travelling device, stretch in the rope or deployment of energy absorbing elements) beyond a maximum length of 1 metre, with a maximum arrest force of 6 kN.

LOCKING AFTER CONDITIONING
In the case of mechanical devices, additional testing is required to ensure they are not adversely aected by environmental conditions. Devices are checked for their locking function (by dropping a mass of at least 5 kg) following conditioning to high temperature (50°C, 85 % relative humidity for at least 2 hours), low temperature (-30°C for at least 2 hours) and water (sprayed at 70 litres per hour for at least 3 hours). Optional testing following submersion in diesel oil or dust can also be included.

CORROSION RESISTANCE
Metallic components used in fall protection equipment are subjected to a neutral salt-spray test intended to prove a minimum resistance to environmental corrosion (specifically rust). Products are held within a sealed chamber, which is lled with a salt-water mist, which can induce rust in unprotected metals. Products are subjected to either 24 or 48 hours exposure and examined for rusting and function afterward. 

STATIC STRENGTH
Whole products are subjected to tensile tests. Textile lanyards are subject to a 15 kN tensile force and metal to 12 kN. Tensile forces are applied and held for at least 3 minutes, to ensure the breaking strength of the product is in excess of the force specified by the standard.