EN 1497: 2007 Rescue harnesses

 

Rescue harnesses are used when it is required to lower or raise an individual, normally in the event of an emergency. A rescue attachment point may be incorporated into a full body harness used in a fall protection system allowing a user to be rescue following the event of a fall.

Ergonomics

To ensure a rescue harness has a relative degree of comfort, ergonomic trials are carried out on two users with differing weights and heights. This test requires each user to be suspended for 4 minutes and then assessed by visual inspection and questions to see if there was an acceptable level of comfort.

Dynamic Performance

Rescue harnesses are subjected to a drop test to generate a shock load on the product. A lesser force is applied to a rescue harness attachment point compared with fall arrest harness attachments as the possibility of a period of free-fall is significantly less in use. Rescue harnesses are subjected to a 1 metre drop using the maximum rated load dummy and they are required to safely arrest the fall following the drop. A repeated drop test is carried out again within 15 minutes on the same harness.

Static Strength

Rescue harnesses are subjected to a force of 10 times the maximum rated load but at least a minimum of 15kN for 3 minutes. The harness is required to hold the load without failure of any component part.

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 48 hours exposure and examined for rusting and function afterward.

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