BRITISH STANDARD BSEN ——— es | 95512002 Personal protective equipment against falls from a height — Energy absorbers The European Standard EN 856:2002 has the status of a British Standard es asea.ne NO COPYING WITHOUT RSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAWBS EN 355:2002 ‘hie tstck Standard, hang ben ‘ender che clos of te Heath Xavironmant Sect Policy and Steatogy Committee, waa ‘Published under the authority Ei the Standande Poigy and Strategy Committee om ‘aly 8002 BSE July 2002 ISBN 0 580 300650 National foreword ‘This British Standard is the official English language version of EN 355:2002, Tt supersedes BS EN 256-1983 which is withdrawn. ‘The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee PIV, Industrial safety belts and harnesses, which has the responsibility to: — aid enquirers to underatand the text; — present to the responsible international/Burapean committee any enguiries on the interpretation, or proposals for change, and keep the UE interests informed; — monitor related intemational and European developments and promulgate them in the UK. A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to its secretary. Cross-references ‘The British Standards which implement international or European publicationa referred to in this document may be found in the BSI Catalogue under the section entitled “International Standarda Correspondence Index’, or bby using the “Search” facility of the BST Electronic Catalogue or of British Standards Online. ‘This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of contract. Users are responsible for their correct application, Compliance with a British Standard doesnot of itself confer immunity from legal obligations. Summary of pages This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, the EN title page, pages 2 tn 10, an inside back cover and a hack caver. ‘The BSI copyright date displayed in this document indicates when the document was laat issued. Amendments issued since publication ‘Amd.No. Date CommentsEUROPEAN STANDARD EN 355 NORME EUROPEENNE EUROPAISCHE NORM — Ics 13,840.99 Supersedas EN 855:1992 English version Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Energy absorbers Exupement de protection indlduele contre le chutes de Peretnliche SchutzausrOstung gegen Absture- hauteur - Absarbours danergia Faldampter “This European Standare wes approved by CEN on 12 March 2002. CEN members are bound to comply wth the CENICENELEC Internal Regutations which sipulse the conditions for giving this European Stendare the stats of a national standard winout any alteration. Up-to-date liste and bibographical references conceming such tational Slandside may be obtained an apalealion io he Management Centre or fo any CEN member. “This Eurepean Standard ext In three offcla versions (Englith, French, German}. A version be anyother language made by translation Under te responsbalty of a CEN member int ite own language sd notited to the Management Centre hes the came sistue aa the official versions, CEN members are the nations! etande-de badiss of Austis, Belylum, Czsch Republle, Derena, Finland, France, Germany, Greaes, lestand, teland, Maly, Luxemboury, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spas, Sweden, Switetiand end United Kingdom. lm“, EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITE EUROPEEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPAISCHES KOMITEE FOR NORMUNG Management Centre: rue de Staesert, 36-1050 Brussele 212002 CEN Allrghts of explatation in any form and by ary meane reeewed Ret. No. EN Ss5:2002 & ‘worignide for CEN national amber.EN 355:2002 (E) Contents Static preloading, 44 Dynamic performance 45 Static strength. i 46 — Marking and Information. 6 Marking _ 7 Information supplied by the manufacture 8 Packaging, Annex ZA (informative) Clauses of this European Standard addressing essential requirements or other provisions of EU Directives Bibliography.EN 455:2002 (E) Foreword This document EN 355:2002 has been prepared by Technical Commitas CEN/TC 160 "Protection against falls, from a height including working belts", tha secratarlat of which is held by DIN. This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, elther by publication of an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by Novembor 2002, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by November 2002 This document suporsedes EN 355:1992. This new dition contains the old text of the standard and incorporates some urgent amendments that are intended to give additional information and clarify inconsistencies. A comprehensive ravision of the standard will follow at a later stage. This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Diractive(s) For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative annex ZA, which is an Integral part of this document. According to tha CEN/CENELEC Intomal Ragulations, the national standards organizations of tha following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Bolgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spaln, ‘Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.EN 355:2002 (E) 1 Scope This European Standard specifies the requirements, test methads, marking, information supplied by the manufacturer and packaging for energy absorbers. Energy absorbers conforming to this European Standard aro used as elements or components either integrated in a lanyard, an anchor fine or a full body harness ot In combination with ona of them. Combinations of an energy absorber and a lanyard are sub-systoms constituting one of the fall arrest systems covered by EN 363, when combined with a full body harness spacttied in EN 361. Fall arrasters are specified in EN 353-1, EN 53-2 and EN 360. 2 Normative references ‘This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. Thase nomnative referances are clted at the appropriate places in the text, and the publications ara listad hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references, the latest adition of the publication rafarrad to applies (including amendments). EN 254:2002, Personal protective equipment against falls ram a height ~ Lanyards. EN 262, Personal protective equipment against falls rom a height ~ Cennectors. EN 263:2002, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Fall arrest systems, EN 264:1992, Personal protective equipment against falls fram a height - Test methods. EN 385:1992, Personal protective equipment against fats from a height - General requirements for instructions for use and for marking. 3 Terms and definitions For the purposes of this European Standard, the following terms and defintions apply. 3A ‘energy absorber ‘element or a component of a fall arrast system, which Is dasignad to dissipate tha kinetic energy developad during a fall from a height [EN 363] 32 lanyard connecting element ar component of a fall arrast system. A lanyard may be of synthetic fibre rope, wire rope, webbing or chain [EN 363] 33 length of energy absorber Including 2 lanyard ‘otal length L, in metres from one load bearing point to the other load bearing point, measured In an unloaded but taut condition of the energy absorber including lanyard [EN 363] 34 braking fores maximum force Fm in kfonawtons, measured at the anchor point or the anchor line during the braking period of the ‘dynamic performance test [EN 363]EN 385:2002 (E) 35 arrest distance vertical distance H in metras, measured at the mobile load bearing point of the connecting sub-system from the intial position (onset of the free fall) to the final posttion (equilibrium after the arrest}, excluding the displacements of the full bady hamoss and its attachment oloment [EN 383] 4 Requirements 4.1 Design and ergonomics ‘The general requirements for the design and ergonomics ars specified in 4.1 of EN 363:2002. 4.2. Materials and construction if an energy absorber Is incorporated in a lanyard (1. the energy absorber cannot be removed without mutlating the lanyard, or without the use of a spacial dedicated too), the lanyard shall conform to 4.2 and 4.3 of EN 354:2002. Connectors for anergy absorbers shall conform to EN 362. 43. Static preloading When tested as described in 5.1 the permanent extension caused by activation of the energy absorber after preloading with 2kN shall not be greater than 50 mm. 44 Dynamic performance ‘When tested as described in 5.2 with a rigid steel mass of 100 kg or a torso dummy of 100 kg mass, the braking force Foy Shall not exceed 6 KN and the arrest distance H shall be H <2 L,+ 1,75 m, depending on the total length L, of tha energy absorber including lanyard, 45. Static strength When tasted as described in 5.3 with a force of 15 kN, the fully developad energy absorber shall withstand the static strangth tast without tearing or rupture. 4,6 Marking and information Marking of tha eneray absorber shall be in accordance with clause 6. {Information shall be supplied with the energy absorber in accordance with clause 7. 5 Test methods 5.1 Static preloading test 5.14 Apparatus The static preloading test apparatus shall conform to 6.3.1 of EN 364:1882, 54.2 Method ‘The static preloading test shall be conducted as described in 5.3.2 of EN 364:1982. The permanant extension shall bo measured at tha point of activation of the anergy absorber.EN 355:2002 (E) 5.2 Dynamic performance test 5.24 Apparatus ‘The dynamic performanca test apparatus shall conform to 4.2, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6 of EN 364:1992. 5.22 Method 5.2.2.1 Energy absorber as a component If tha onargy absorbar Is a component, the dynamic parformance tast shall be conducted as specified in 6.3.4.1 of EN 3641992 with a rigld stool mass of 100 kg. <> g Figure 1 - Example of an energy absorber as a component 5.22.2 Energy absorber integral with a lanyard tthe energy absorbar is incorporated in a lanyard, the dynamic performance test shall ba conducted as specified in 5.3.4.2 of EN 264:1982 with a rigid stael mass of 100 kag, ralsing the mass to lis maximum halght and without using an. additional chain lanyard. Figure 2- Example of an energy absorber Integral with a lanyard 5.2.2.3 Energy absorber Integral with a full body harness If the energy absorber is incorporated in a full body hamess, the dynamic performance tast shall be conducted as specified in 5.3.4.3 of EN 264:1992 with a torso dummy of 100 kg mass.EN 355:2002 (E) 5.3. Static strength test 53.1 Apparatus ‘Tho statle strangth test apparatus shall conform to 4.1 of EN 384:1992, 53.2 Method ‘The static strength test shall be conducted as described in 6.3.6 of EN 304:1992. 6 Marking Masking on tha energy absorber shall conform to 2.2 of EN 365:1992 and any text shall be in the languages of the country of destination, In adkiion fo conforming to 2.2 of EN 365:1992 the marking shall includa the following: a) an tha energy absorber, a pictogram ta indicate that users shall read the information supplied by the manufacturer (see figura); b) the maximum length allowed of the enatgy absorber including lanyard: ©} the madeltype Identification mark of the energy absorber; d) the number of this Eurapean Standard, La. EN 355. 7 Information supplied by the manufacturer The information supplied by the manufacturer shall be provided In the languages of the county of destination. It shall comform to 2.4 of EN 965:1992 and in addition shall include at least advica or information as follows: a) that the total length of a sub-system with an energy absorber including lanyard, terminations and connactors shall not exceed 2 m (e.g. connector plus lanyard plus eneray absorber plus connector); b) the characteristics raquired for a reliable anchor point; ©} an how to connect to a reliable anchor point, to a full bady hamess and to other components of a fall arrest system; d) an howto ensure the compatibility of any components to be usad in conjunction with the energy absorber, a.g. by roferanca to other European Standards; e) the necessary minimum clearance below the feet of the user, In order to avoid collision with the structure or ground in a fail from the height. With a mass of 100 kg and a fail factor two situation (worst case) the clearance is the arrest distance H (see 3.5} plus an extra distance of 1 m; 1) the material from which the energy absorber is mado;EN 355:2002 (E) a) hy on limitations of the mateffals in tha product or hazards which may affect its performanca, o.g. temperature, the effect of sharp edges, chemical reagents, electrical conductivty, cutting, abrasion, LV dagradation, other climatic conditions; that before and during use, consideration should be given as to how any rescus could be safaly and efficiently carried out, that the product should only be used by a trained andior othenvise competent person or the user should be Under the direct supervision of such a parson; ‘on how to clean the produet, including disinfection, without adverse effect; if Information exists, the expected lifespan of the product (obsolescence) or how this may be determined; (on how to protect the product during tansportation; on the meaning of any markings on the product; the modelftype idantiication mark of the energy absorbor; the number of this European Standard, i.e. EN 355. 8 Packaging Energy absorbers shall be supplied wrapped, but not necessarily sealed, In a material that provides some resistance against the penetration of moisture.EN $55:2002 (E) Annex ZA (informative) Clauses of this European Standard addressing essential requirements or other provisions of EU Directives This European Standard has bean prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association and supports essemtial requirements of EU Directive 89/686/EEC. WARNING : Other requirements and other EU Ditectlves may be applicable to the product(s) falling within the scope of this European Standard. ‘The following clauses of this European Standard are likely to support requirements of Directive 89'686/EEC, Annex II: EU-Directive 89/686/EEC, Annax It Clauses of this standard 14 Design principles 44 and 42 1.3.2 — Ughiness and design strongth 45 1.4 Information suppliad by the manufacturer 7 2.40 PPE for connection ta another, extemal complementary devica 7 | 2.42 PPE bearing one ot more identification or recognition marks directly or | 6 and 7 indirectly relating to health and safety 9.1.22 Prevention of falls from height 4108 Compliance with the clauses of thls European Standard provides one means of conforming to the specific essential requirements of the Diractiva concerned and associated EFTA regulations.EN 355:2002 (E) liography EN 383-1, Personal protective equisment agains! falls fom @ height ~ Part 1: Guided type fall arrestore including a rigid anctior fine. EN 363-2, Personal protective equiament against falls trom a height - Guided type fall arrasters including a flexible anchor tine, EN 360, Personal protective equioment against fas trom a height - Retractable type fall aresters. EN 361, Personat protective equioment against falls trom a height - Futl body hamesses, 10BS EN 355:2002 BSE 889 Chiswick High Road Landon Wasa BSI — British Standards Institution BSI is the independant national bady responsible for preparing British Standards, It presents the UK view on standards in Europe and at the international level. It is incorporated by Rayal Charter. Revisions British Standards are updated by amendment or revision. 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