EN 361:2002 Full Body Harness

 Harnesses intended 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).

Dynamic Performance

Harnesses are subject to a performance test, intended to apply a shock load on the harness, exceeding that likely to be experienced in use. In addition, the test will give an indication of the behavior of the harness when used, in particular the angle at which the user will be held in the event of a fall.

The harness is fitted to a 100kg solid torso dummy, and connected via the harness attachment to a 2 metre length of 11mm mountaineering rope (specifically chosen to generate a known force to the harness in the case of a fall). This rope is attached to a solid anchor point, and the dummy released over a distance of 4 metres. This test is carried out twice on each harness attachment, once from a head-up position, once from a head-down position (i.e. with the dummy upside down on release). In order to pass the test, the harness must hold the dummy following both drops, with the dummy held in a position not exceeding 50° from the upright position. These tests are repeated on every attachment point on a harness.

Static Strength

Whole products are subjected to tensile tests, based on a factor of safety on the 6kN expected in use. Harnesses are subject to a 15kN tensile force applied in the upward direction, followed by a 10kN force applied downward. Lanyards are subjected to either 22kN or 15kN applied between the attachment points, depending on the material used – an increased force as the lanyard is expected to be more exposed to ageing factors such as abrasion in use.

Tensile forces are usually 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.

 Resources

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EN 1497: 2007 Rescue Harnesses

  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...
Read more

EN 354:2010 Lanyards

  EN 354:2010 Lanyards   Lanyards intended for use in connecting the attachment point of a harness to a suitable anchorage device. This type of lanyard is intended for use as a component of a larger system, which should include a shock absorbing element. Slippage Lanyards are subjected to a force of 6kN for 3 minutes, before then being assessed for slippage through the adjustment element which cannot be anymore than 50mm. This test is done following ambient conditioning and after being placed in water and a freezer at -4°C. There is also an optional test for extreme cold for any products claiming use in temperatures below -30°C. This test is only applicable for lanyards that include an adjustment element. Static Strength Metallic lanyards are subjected to a tensile force of 15kN and non-metallic lanyards are subjected to a tensile force of 22kN for a minimum period of 3 minutes. This test is done following ambient conditioning and after being placed in water and a ...
Read more

EN 813:2008-Sit Harnesses

  EN 813:2008-Sit harnesses Dynamic Performance Sit harnesses are subjected to a drop test to generate a shock load on the product. A lesser force is applied to the sit harness attachment point compared with fall arrest harness attachments as the possibility of a period of free-fall is significantly less in use. Sit harnesses are subjected to a 2 metre drop using the maximum rated load dummy and they are required to safely arrest the fall following the drop. Static Strength Sit 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 ...
Read more