EN
ZHANSI/ASSE Z359.11–2021
Safety Requirements for Full Body Harnesses
This standard establishes requirements for the performance, design, marking, qualification and test methods of full body harnesses. This standard covers harnesses to be used for fall arrest, positioning, travel restraint, suspension and/or rescue applications for users within a capacity of 130 to 310 pounds (59 to 140kg).
All new items of equipment to the market are required to undergo Qualification testing which requires each test to be carried out 3 times. Following approval, Verification testing is required every 2-5 years, based on the manufacturers quality system and involves carrying one full set of tests
Dynamic Performance
Dorsal, Sternal and Frontal attachment points, wherever present, are require to undergo a feet first dynamic performance test, with the aim of recording a force between 3,600 and 4,000 pounds (16.0 to 17.7kN). The harness is required to arrest the torso dummy and hold it for 5 minutes; the angle of the dummy shall be no greater than 30° to vertical; at least one visual indicator shall deploy and that the harness stretch shall not exceed 18 inches (457mm).
Dorsal and Sternal attachment points are required to have a fall arrest indicator test which requires a 24 inch (610mm) fall using an ANSI/ASSE Z359.13 compliant energy absorber to verify that a visual indicator deploys.
Dorsal attachment points are also required to have a head first dynamic performance with all the same requirements for feet first dynamic apart from harness stretch.
Static Strength
Dorsal, Sternal, Frontal, Shoulder, Waist Rear, Hip and suspension seat attachment points are all required to undergo a static strength test with the harness on the torso dummy in the feet first position. The attachment point shall hold a load of 3,600 pounds (16.0kN) for a period of 1 minute without failure. Additionally, the slippage through any adjuster shall not exceed 1 inch (25mm), buckle and eyelet systems shall not tear through to the adjacent hole and any other type of straps shall show no signs of tearing.
Component Requirements
Load bearing straps are required to have a minimum breaking strength of at least 5,000 pounds (22.2kN) when new and 3,600 pounds (16.0kN) following abrasion conditioning. Straps in contact with metal components are required to be protected from wear. All connecting components including D-rings, buckles and connectors need to meet the requirements of ANSI Z359.12