What is EN 355:2002 – Personal protective equipment against falls from a height – Energy absorbers?
EN 355:2002 standard specifies the requirements and test methods for energy absorbers used in personal protective equipment (PPE) against falls from a height. Energy absorbers are devices used in conjunction with a fall arrest system to reduce the impact of a fall on the body.
It specifies the requirements for the construction, design, and performance of energy absorbers, as well as the testing procedures for determining their effectiveness. It also sets out requirements for marking and instructions for use.
EN 355 is intended for manufacturers, designers, and users of PPE against falls from a height. Including those working at height in construction, industry, or rescue operations. Compliance with this standard ensures that energy absorbers used in fall arrest systems meet minimum safety requirements and have been tested to verify their effectiveness in reducing the impact of a fall.
Requirements of EN 355:2002
EN 355:2002 specifies requirements for energy absorbers that are designed to be used as components of a fall arrest system. The standard provides guidance for the design, testing, and marking of energy absorbers. To ensure that they can safely reduce the forces generated by a fall arrest system.
Some of the key requirements include:
Minimum length: The energy absorber must be at least 150 mm long when fully deployed.
Maximum force: The maximum force transmitted to the user must not exceed 6 kN.
Activation time: The energy absorber must activate within 2 milliseconds of the onset of the fall.
Maximum deployment distance: The energy absorber must not deploy more than 1.75 meters.
Resistance to damage: The energy absorber must be able to withstand a drop test onto a concrete surface from a height of 5 meters.
Finally, Markings: The energy absorber must be marked with the manufacturer’s name, the model number, and the standards with which it complies.
Benefits of EN 355:2002
Increased safety: Energy absorbers that comply with the standard are designed to absorb the energy of a fall, reducing the impact force on the body of the person falling. So, this helps to prevent injuries and increase safety for workers who are exposed to fall hazards.
Standardization: EN 355:2002 sets out a standardized set of requirements for energy absorbers used in personal fall protection systems. This helps to ensure that energy absorbers from different manufacturers can be compared. Also, evaluated based on the same criteria.
Quality assurance: Compliance with EN 355 requires manufacturers to follow a rigorous testing and certification process. Thus, This helps to ensure that energy absorbers meet a high standard of quality and performance.
Also, Legal compliance: In many countries, compliance with EN 355:2002 is required by law for employers who provide personal fall protection equipment to their workers. So, Compliance with this standard can help employers to meet their legal obligations and avoid potential fines or legal liability.
Who needs EN 355:2002 – Personal protective equipment against falls from a height – Energy absorbers?
EN 355:2002 is relevant for manufacturers, suppliers, and users of personal protective equipment (PPE) against falls from a height. It specifies the requirements for energy absorbers used as a component of a personal fall protection system to limit the impact force on the body of the user during a fall.
This standard is important for anyone who works at height or is involved in fall protection equipment. Including those in construction, roofing, tree care, and other related industries. It is also relevant for safety officers, health and safety professionals, and anyone involved in workplace safety.
Pacific Certifications is accredited by ABIS, if you need more support with EN 355, please contact us at +91-8595603096 or support@pacificcert.com
Read About: EN 352-2:2021
