What is SIST EN 361:2002- Personal protective equipment against falls from a height – Full body harnesses?
SIST EN 361:2002 specifies the requirements, testing, and marking of full-body harnesses as personal protective equipment against falls from a height. The standard applies to harnesses that are designed to distribute the impact of a fall throughout the body. Including the torso, pelvis, thighs, and shoulders.
It sets out requirements for the design and construction of the harness. Including the materials used, the configuration of the straps, buckles, and other hardware, and the load-bearing capacity of the harness. It also specifies the testing procedures that must be used to evaluate the performance of the harness in various conditions, such as static strength, dynamic strength, and endurance.
This standard also requires that full-body harnesses be marked with certain information. Including the manufacturer’s name and address, the model or type designation, and the date of manufacture. The harness must also bear a label or tag that provides information about the safe use and maintenance of the equipment.
Compliance with this standard ensures that full-body harnesses used as personal protective equipment against falls from a height provide a high level of protection to the wearer. It is important to note that this standard applies only to full-body harnesses. And does not cover other types of fall protection equipment. Such as lanyards or anchors.
Requirements of SIST EN 361:2002
Design and Construction: The harness must be designed and constructed in a way that ensures it can distribute the forces of a fall safely throughout the body. It must be made of high-quality materials that are strong, durable, and resistant to wear and tear.
Straps and Buckles: The harness must have straps and buckles that are easily adjustable to fit the wearer’s body size and shape. The straps must be positioned to prevent discomfort or injury to the wearer, and they must not slip or loosen during use
Load-Bearing Capacity: The harness must be capable of supporting the full weight of the wearer, plus any additional weight from tools or equipment. The load-bearing capacity must be clearly marked on the harness
Connectors: The harness must have connectors that are compatible with the other components of the fall protection system. Such as lanyards, lifelines, or anchors. The connectors must be secure and easy to use.
Testing: The harness must undergo a series of tests to ensure it meets the performance requirements of the standard. These tests include static strength, dynamic strength, endurance, and impact testing.
Marking and Labeling: The harness must be clearly marked with information. Such as the manufacturer’s name and address, the model or type designation, the date of manufacture, and the load-bearing capacity. The harness must also be labeled with instructions for safe use and maintenance.
Compliance with these requirements ensures that full body harnesses used as personal protective equipment against falls from a height provide a high level of protection to the wearer. It is important to note that proper training, use, and maintenance of the harness is also critical to ensure its effectiveness in protecting against falls.
Benefits of SIST EN 361:2002
Enhanced Safety: Full body harnesses that comply with this standard provide a high level of protection to the wearer against falls from a height. They are designed and tested to ensure they can distribute the forces of a fall safely throughout the body.
Improved Comfort: The harness must be designed in a way that ensures it fits the wearer’s body size and shape comfortably. The straps and buckles must be positioned to prevent discomfort or injury to the wearer. And they must not slip or loosen during use.
Reliable Performance: Full body harnesses that comply with this standard are subjected to a series of tests to ensure they meet the performance requirements of the standard. This ensures that they are reliable and effective in protecting the wearer against falls.
Compatibility: The harness must have connectors that are compatible with other components of the fall protection system, such as lanyards, lifelines, or anchors. This ensures that the full body harness can be used with other fall protection equipment effectively.
Clear Marking and Labelling: The harness must be marked with information such as the manufacturer’s name and address, the model or type designation, the date of manufacture, and the load-bearing capacity. The harness must also be labelled with instructions for safe use and maintenance. This information helps users to select the appropriate harness for their needs and use it safely.
SIST EN 361:2002 ensures that full body harnesses used as personal protective equipment against falls from a height provide a high level of protection to the wearer, are comfortable to wear, and are reliable and effective in protecting against falls.
Who needs SIST EN 361:2002- Personal protective equipment against falls from a height – Full body harnesses?
EN 361:2002 specifies requirements for full body harnesses that are used as personal protective equipment against falls from a height. This standard applies to individuals or organizations that use or provide personal protective equipment for work activities involving a risk of falling from a height. This includes workers in a wide range of industries. Such as construction, maintenance, telecommunications, and transportation.
In general, any worker who is required to work at heights above ground level. Such as on roofs, scaffolds, or elevated platforms, should use a full body harness that complies with this standard. Employers have a legal responsibility to provide their employees with appropriate personal protective equipment. Including full body harnesses, and to ensure that the equipment is used correctly.
Organizations that provide personal protective equipment, such as manufacturers, distributors, or rental companies, must comply with this standard. To ensure that the equipment they provide meets the required safety standards.
Anyone who works at height or provides personal protective equipment for those who work at height should be familiar with SIST EN 361:2002. And ensure that the full body harnesses they use or provide comply with the requirements of the standard.
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