ANSI/ASSE Z359.11–2014
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, 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.
Static Strength
All lanyards are required to hold a force of 5,000 pounds (22.2kN) for at least 1 minute. For lanyards and positioning lanyards without adjustment this is done between each termination. For lanyards with adjustment a slippage test is carried out at 1,000 pounds (4.4kN) for one minute to ensure the adjustment device does not slide more than 3 inches.
Positioning lanyards with adjustment are subjected to the same tests mentioned above but with the device configured in a 3-way pull. A positioning lanyard is also subjected to an abrasion test by running a section of the sample across a hexagonal bar before being subjected to the same static strength tests, but with a lower requirement of 3,600 pounds (16kN). In all tests the sample shall sustain the load without failure.
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