PPE for working at height is covered by a wide range of European standards, with separate specifications for different types of equipment. These EN standards set out requirements for product design, materials, testing, markings and user information.

Read the guide for an introduction to some of the main standards applied to height safety products.

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EN 361 – Personal protective equipment against falls from a height. Full body harnesses.

This standard requires full body harnesses to undergo two types of test: static strength and dynamic performance. Both tests use a 100kg torso dummy.

For the static strength test, a force of 15kN is applied between the anchor and attachment points (first lower, then upper attachment points) over 3 minutes.

For the dynamic performance test, the harness must withstand two successive drop tests (one feet first drop; one headfirst) with an adjusted free fall distance of 4m. The torso dummy must not be released and be arrested in a head-up position, with the harness supporting the dummy in position within a specified angle to ensure the user will be kept upright and not become injured.

Inspection and assessment is then carried out following testing to ensure no breakage or elongation of any components.

EN 358 – Personal protective equipment for work positioning and prevention of falls from a height. Belts and lanyards for work positioning or restraint.

A work positioning lanyard is subjected to static and dynamic strength testing. For the static strength test, the belt or lanyard must withstand a force of 15kN for 3 minutes without fracture. Dynamic strength is tested by a 100kg dummy falling 4m, attached to the belt or lanyard via suitable means, and the test mass must be held clear of the ground.

The standard also requires assessment of the materials and design, and a test for resistance to corrosion.

EN 813 – Personal protective equipment against falls from a height. Sit harnesses.

The sit harness will have specific requirements of design and comfort adapted to the sitting position while in suspension. Sit harnesses are subjected to dynamic and static strength testing.

For the static test, a force equivalent to 10 times the maximum rated load (and no less than 15kN) is applied, between the attachment point of the sit harness and the lower attachment point of the torso dummy – the force is applied gradually over a period of 2 minutes, then maintained for a period of 3 minutes. Slippage of the adjustment straps must not exceed 20mm and no elements of the sit harness can detach or break.

For the dynamic test, the harness is fitted on a torso dummy of 100kg, the dummy is held by the upper attachment point and raised to 1m above the fixed anchor point, at a maximum of 300mm horizontally from the centre line. The dummy is released to fall freely, then it is inspected to ensure the dummy is held and no parts have become detached or broken.

EN 354 – Personal fall protection equipment. Lanyards.

Lanyards are subjected to static and dynamic strength testing.

The static strength test requires the device to withstand a certain force for 3 minutes without fracture:

• Lanyards including any textile elements (e.g., synthetic fibre ropes or webbing) must sustain a force of at least 22kN
• Lanyards made entirely of metallic elements must sustain a force of at least 15kN

The dynamic strength test requires the same lanyard to retain a test mass clear of the ground, withstanding a force of 3kN for 3 minutes.

The standard also requires assessment of materials and design, and a test for resistance to corrosion.

EN 355 – Personal protective equipment against falls from a height. Energy absorbers.

This standard sets out requirements for energy absorbers either integrated or used in combination with a lanyard, an anchor line or full body harness. Energy absorbers are subjected to three tests.

Static preloading – this test requires the energy absorber to be preloaded with a force of 2kN for 3 minutes, during which the extension caused by activation of the energy absorber after preloading with 2kN must not be greater than 50mm.

Dynamic performance – this test method involves a 4m fall with a 100kg steel mass or a 100kg torso dummy. The braking force of the energy absorber must not exceed 6kN, and the arrest distance must be less than twice the length of the energy absorber plus 1.75m.

Static strength – this test requires the fully developed energy absorber to be installed and a force of 15kN to be applied for 3 minutes, after which there must be no signs of fracture on observation.

EN 360 – Personal protective equipment against falls from a height. Retractable type fall arresters.

Retractable fall arresters are subjected to a locking test, in which the product is conditioned and tested to ensure the device locks and remains locked until released.

The standard also requires static strength testing: retractable fall arresters must withstand a certain force for 3 minutes without fracture – products with a retractable lanyard made from synthetic fibre rope or webbing the force to be sustained is at least 15kN, products with a retractable lanyard made from wire rope must sustain a force of at least 12kN.

Also included is a dynamic performance test using a rigid steel mass of 100 kg. When tested, the braking force of the fall arrester must not exceed 6kN and the arrest distance must not exceed 2m.

An optional test is included for where the optional endurance feature is claimed, tested by deploying the device 1000 times.

The standard also requires assessment of materials and design, and a test for resistance to corrosion.

EN 353-2 – Personal protective equipment against falls from a height. Guided type fall arresters including a flexible anchor line.

Guided type fall arresters are subjected to a locking test, in which the product is conditioned and tested to ensure the device locks and remains locked until released.

The standard also requires static strength testing: equipment must withstand a certain force for 3 minutes without fracture:

• Textile anchor lines and guided type fall arresters including lanyard and connector must sustain a force of at least 15kN
• Anchor wire ropes must sustain a force of at least 12kN

For the dynamic performance test, the braking force must not exceed 6kN, and the arrest distance must be less than twice the length of the device plus 1m.

The standard also requires assessment of materials and design, and a test for resistance to corrosion.

EN 362 – Personal protective equipment against falls from a height. Connectors.

Connectors for height safety equipment are classed by function and intended use:

• Class B – Basic connector
• Class M – Multi-use connector
• Class T – Termination connector
• Class A – Anchor connector
• Class Q – Screwlink connector

Products are tested for static strength with varying requirements for each class. Testing is carried out with the gate both locked and unlocked, and loaded on the minor axis, as applicable. Connectors are also tested for gate function, gate resistance and corrosion resistance.

EN 795 – Personal fall protection equipment. Anchor devices.

Anchors are available in five types, each with different functions and uses:

• Type A: Anchor device with one or more stationary anchor points, while in use, and with the need for a structural anchor or fixing element to fix to the structure.
• Type B: Anchor device with one or more stationary anchor points without the need for a structural anchor or fixing element to fix it to the structure (tripod)
• Type C: Anchor device employing a flexible anchor line which deviates from the horizontal by not more than 15°
• Type D: Anchor device employing a rigid anchor line which deviates from the horizontal by not more than 15°
• Type E: Anchor device for use on surfaces up to 5° from the horizontal where the performance relies solely on mass and friction between itself and the surface.

All anchor points must be assessed for deformation, dynamic strength, static strength, and corrosion resistance, with requirements varying depending on the type of anchor. Additional assessment is required for some types of anchor, depending on their design and components.

EN 1496 – Personal fall protection equipment. Rescue lifting devices.

Rescue lifting devices are available in two classes:

• Rescue lifting device class A – component of a rescue system by which a person is lifted, by a rescuer or themselves, from a lower to a higher place
• Rescue lifting device class B – includes all functions of class A device, with additional hand-operated lowering function intended for lowering a person over a distance limited to 2m.

Both types of device are tested for static strength – devices must withstand a force of equivalent to 10 times the maximum rated load (min. 12kN) for 3 minutes without tearing or rupture. Assessment of the materials and design, and a test for resistance to corrosion also applies to class A & B devices.

Function assessed by testing the controlling feature at various positions, with the function test for class B devices preceded by a dynamic performance test where a test mass equivalent to the maximum rated load of the device (min. 100kg) must be held with the braking force not exceeding 6kN.

EN 1497 – Personal Fall Protection Equipment: Rescue Harness

This European Standard specifies requirements, test methods, marking and information supplied by the manufacturer for rescue harnesses.

Rescue harnesses conforming to this standard are used as components of rescue systems, which are personal fall protection systems. Rescue harnesses are not intended to be used as body holding devices in fall arrest systems.

EN 341 – Personal fall protection equipment. Descender devices for rescue.

Descender devices are classed into type 1, automatic and type 2, manually-operated and subdivided further into classes A, B, C, or D. All types are subject to requirements covering function and descent energy, dynamic and static strength, and corrosion resistance, with additional assessment and review of markings and user information. The standard gives additional operating force and holding force requirements for manually-operated type 2 devices, and requires that class D devices indicate clearly that they have been used.

Function requirements include the descending velocity under dry and wet conditions, which vary by class, and temperature limits for components during descent. Dynamic strength testing involves attaching a test mass to the device, which it must hold and show no signs of tearing or rupture. Static strength testing requires devices to sustain certain forces depending on their class.

EN 363 – Personal fall protection equipment – Personal fall protection systems.

This standard specifies characteristics and assembly of personal fall protection systems, giving recommendations and examples based on common practice.

EN 363 includes five specific types of personal fall protection systems:

• Restraint system – Prevents falls from a height by restricting how far the user can travel.
• Work positioning system – Enables the user to work supported in such a way that a free fall is prevented.
• Rope access system – Enables user to get to and from the workplace in such a way that a free fall is prevented or arrested.
• Fall arrest system – Arrests a free fall and limits impact force on the user.
• Rescue system – Enables a person to rescue themselves or others and prevents a free fall.

See how JSP height safety equipment is tested here: https://www.jspsafety.com/news.aspx?id=134 
Learn more about working at height: https://www.jspsafety.com/news.aspx?id=72
Find out more about fall arrest and restraint systems: https://www.jspsafety.com/news.aspx?id=58