EN 361 is the standard applied to Full Body Harnesses designed to hold the user in place and spread the load in the case of a fall arrest scenario (i.e. being brought to a stop following a period of free-fall).

Source: https://www.satra.com/ppe/EN361.php

1) Dynamic Performance

This test aims to simulate the behaviour of the harness in a real- life scenario by subjecting it to a shock test for a load greater than what it would experience in use. Particular focus is given to the angle at which the user is held in the event of a fall. The harness is fitted with a 100kg solid torso dummy attached to a 2 metre length of 11mm mountaineering rope connected to a solid anchorage point and dropped in free fall for 4 metres. The test is carried out twice on each harness, once from a heads-up position, once from a heads-down position (i.e. with the dummy upside down on release). In order to pass the test the harness must hold the dummy after both drops in a position not exceeding 50 degrees from the upright position.

2) Strength Tests

Strength tests known as tensile tests are used to gauge the breaking strength of whole products including harnesses and lanyards. Tensile forces are usually applied for at least 3 minutes to ensure that the breaking strength of the product is in excess of the force specified by the standard. These are based on a safety factor of 6kN, where KN equals Kilonewtons a measure of force.

• Harnesses are subject to 15kN when applied in an upward direction and 10kN when applied in a downward direction.
• Lanyards are either subjected to 22kN or 15 kN applied between the attachment points depending on the materials used.

3) Corrosion Resistance

The aim of this test is to prove that metallic components used in fall protection equipment can withstand a minimal resistance to environmental corrosion (specifically rust). In order to prove this, metal components are placed in a sealed chamber for 24 to 48 hours and subjected to salt water mist designed to induce rust in unprotected metals. They are then examined for rust and function afterwards.

Harnesses (or additional attachments on a full body harness) intended for use where free-fall is not used - in particular, work positioning/restraint and for use in abseiling or rope access.

(Please check the standards list below in the product details & specifications section to see which of these two standards applies to your product.)

1) Dynamic Performance

As with full body harnesses, work positioning and sit / abseil harnesses are subjected to a drop test to generate a shock load on the harness. However, commensurate with the end use, a lesser force is applied to the harness as the possibility of a period of free-fall is significantly less in use. Work positioning attachments are subjected to a 1 metre drop with a 1 metre length of rope, whereas sit harnesses are dropped over a distance of 2 metres with a 1 metre length of rope. In both cases, the harness is required only to safely arrest the fall of the test dummy following the drop.

2) Static Strength

Whole products are subjected to tensile tests. Belts, harnesses and lanyards are subject to a 15kN tensile force. Tensile forces are applied and held for at least 3 minutes, to ensure the breaking strength of the product is in excess of the force specified by the standard.

3) Corrosion Resistance

Metallic components used in fall protection equipment are subjected to a neutral salt-spray test intended to prove a minimum resistance to environmental corrosion (specifically rust). Products are held within a sealed chamber, which is filled with a salt-water mist, which can induce rust in unprotected metals. Products are subjected to either 24 or 48 hours exposure and examined for rusting and function afterward.