BRITISH STANDARD BS EN

363:2002
Incorporating
Corrigendum No. 1

Personal protective
equipment against falls
from a height — Fall
arrest systems

The European Standard EN 363:2002 has the status of a

British Standard

ICS 13.340.99

12&23<,1*:,7+287%6,3(50,66,21(;&(37$63(50,77('%<&23<5,*+7/$:
BS EN 363:2002
This British Standard, having
been prepared under the
direction of the Health and
Environment Sector Policy and
Strategy Committee, was
published under the authority
of the Standards Policy and
Strategy Committee on
15 July 2002
© BSI 15 July 2002
ISBN 0 580 39965 6
National foreword
This British Standard is the official English language version of EN 363:2002.
It supersedes BS EN 363:1993 which is withdrawn.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee
PH/5, Industrial safety belts and harnesses, which has the responsibility to:
— aid enquirers to understand the text;
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UK interests informed;
— monitor related international and European developments and
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This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, the EN title page,
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Amendments issued since publication
Amd. No. Date Comments
14007 15 July 2002 Correction to title
Corrig. No. 1
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 363
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM May 2002

ICS 13.340.99 Supersedes EN 363:1992

English version

Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Fall

arrest systems

Equipement de protection individuelle contre les chutes de Persönliche Schutzausrüstung gegen Absturz -
hauteur - Systèmes d'arret des chutes Auffangsysteme

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 15 March 2002.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Management Centre has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2002 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 363:2002 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
EN 363:2002 (E)

Contents

page
Foreword......................................................................................................................................................................3
1 Scope ..............................................................................................................................................................4
2 Terms and definitions....................................................................................................................................4
3 Examples of fall arrest systems ...................................................................................................................6
3.1 Fall arrest system with a retractable type fall arrester ..............................................................................6
3.2 Fall arrest system with a guided type fall arrester including a rigid anchor line....................................7
3.3 Fall arrest system with a guided type fall arrester including a flexible anchor line ...............................9
3.4 Fall arrest system with an energy absorber................................................................................................9
4 Requirements ...............................................................................................................................................10
4.1 Design and ergonomics ..............................................................................................................................10
4.2 Components .................................................................................................................................................11
Annex ZA (informative) Clauses of this European Standard addressing essential requirements or other
provisions of EU Directives .........................................................................................................................12
Bibliography ..............................................................................................................................................................13

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 EN 363:2002 (E)

Foreword
This document EN 363:2002 has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 160 "Protection against falls
from a height including working belts", the secretariat of which is held by DIN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or
by endorsement, at the latest by November 2002, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest
by November 2002.

This document supersedes EN 363:1992. This new edition contains the old text of the standard and incorporates
some urgent amendments that are intended to give additional information and clarify inconsistencies. A
comprehensive revision 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 Directive(s).

For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

3
EN 363:2002 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard specifies the terminology and the general requirements for fall arrest systems which serve
as personal protective equipment against falls from a height. This European Standard additionally describes
examples of how components or assemblies of components may be connected into a fall arrest system. These
examples should enable the purchaser or user to assemble all components in a correct manner and to build up a
fall arrest system.

2 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this European Standard, the following terms and definitions apply.

2.1
element
part of a component or a sub-system. Ropes, webbing, attachment elements, fittings and anchor lines are
examples of elements

2.2
component
part of a system at a point of sale by the manufacturer, supplied with packaging, marking and information supplied
by the manufacturer. Body supports and lanyards are examples of components of systems

2.3
sub-system
assembly of elements and/or components making up a larger part of a system at a point of sale by the
manufacturer, supplied with packaging, marking and information supplied by the manufacturer

2.4
fall arrest system
personal protective equipment against falls from a height comprising a full body harness and a connecting sub-
system for fall arrest purposes

2.5
personal protective equipment (PPE) against falls from a height
equipment to secure a person to an anchor point in such a way that a fall from a height is either prevented or safely
arrested

2.6
full body harness
body support primarily for fall arrest purposes, i. e. a component of a fall arrest system. The full body harness may
comprise straps, fittings, buckles or other elements, suitably arranged and assembled to support the whole body of
a person and to restrain the wearer during a fall and after the arrest of a fall

2.7
primary straps/secondary straps
primary straps are those straps of a full body harness which are intended by the manufacturer to support the body
or exert pressure on the body during the fall of a person and after the arrest of the fall. The other straps are
secondary straps

2.8
attachment element
specific connecting point for components or sub-systems

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 EN 363:2002 (E)

2.9
retractable type fall arrester
fall arrester with a self-locking function and an automatic tensioning and return facility for the lanyard, i.e. the
retractable lanyard. An energy dissipating function may be incorporated in the device itself or an energy absorber
may be incorporated in the retractable lanyard

2.10
guided type fall arrester
fall arrester with a self-locking function and a guide facility. The guided type fall arrester travels along an anchor line,
accompanies the user without requiring manual adjustment during upward or downward changes of position and locks
automatically on the anchor line when a fall occurs

2.11
guided type fall arrester including a rigid anchor line
sub-system consisting of a rigid anchor line, a self-locking guided type fall arrester which is attached to the rigid
anchor line and a connector or a connector-terminated lanyard. An energy dissipating function may be installed
between the fall arrester and the anchor line or an energy absorber may be incorporated in the lanyard or in the
anchor line

2.12
guided type fall arrester including a flexible anchor line
sub-system consisting of a flexible anchor line, a self-locking guided type fall arrester which is attached to the flexible
anchor line and a connector or a connector-terminated. An energy dissipating function may be installed between the
fall arrester and the anchor line or an energy absorber may be incorporated in the lanyard or in the anchor line

2.13
energy absorber
element or a component of a fall arrest system, which is designed to dissipate the kinetic energy developed during a
fall from a height

2.14
length of energy absorber including lanyard
total length Lt 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

2.15
lanyard
connecting element or component of a fall arrest system. A lanyard may be of synthetic fibre rope, wire rope, webbing
or chain

2.16
length of lanyard
length Ll in metres from one load bearing point to the other load bearing point measured in an unloaded, but taut
condition of the lanyard

2.17
retractable lanyard
connecting element of a retractable type fall arrester. A retractable lanyard may be of wire rope, webbing or
synthetic fibre rope and may be longer than 2 m

2.18
anchor line
connecting element specified for a sub-system with a guided type fall arrester

2.19
rigid anchor line
connecting element specified for a sub-system with a guided type fall arrester. A rigid anchor line may be a rail or a
wire rope and is intended for securing to a structure in such a way that lateral movements of the line are limited

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EN 363:2002 (E)

2.20
flexible anchor line
connecting element specified for a sub-system with a guided type fall arrester. A flexible anchor line may be a
synthetic fibre rope or a wire rope and is intended for securing to an upper anchor point

2.21
adjustment device
element of a lanyard to vary its length

2.22
termination
ready-to-use end of a lanyard. A termination may be for instance a connector, a spliced eye or a sewn loop

2.23
attachment/detachment point
point on the anchor line where the guided type fall arrester can be fitted or detached

2.24
connector
connecting element or component of a fall arrest system

2.25
braking force
maximum force Fmax in kilonewtons, measured at the anchor point or the anchor line during the braking period of the
dynamic performance test

2.26
arrest distance
vertical distance H in metres, measured at the mobile load bearing point of the connecting sub-system from the initial
position (onset of the free fall) to the final position (equilibrium after the arrest), excluding the displacements of the full
body harness and its attachment element

2.27
horizontal distance
horizontal distance A in metres measured between the front side of the anchor line and the load bearing point of the
connector intended to be attached to the full body harness

3 Examples of fall arrest systems

3.1 Fall arrest system with a retractable type fall arrester

An example of a fall arrest system with a retractable type fall arrester is shown in Figure 1. An energy absorber
may be incorporated in the retractable lanyard, if the retractable type fall arrester does not have an energy
dissipating function. Retractable type fall arresters are specified in EN 360.

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 EN 363:2002 (E)

Key

1 Anchor point
2 Retractable type fall arrester
3 Retractable lanyard
4 Full body harness
Figure 1 - Example of a fall arrest system with a retractable type fall arrester

3.2 Fall arrest system with a guided type fall arrester including a rigid anchor line

An example of a fall arrest system with a guided type fall arrester on a rigid anchor line is shown in Figure 2. An
energy dissipating function may be installed between the fall arrester and the anchor line or an energy absorber
may be incorporated in the lanyard or in the anchor line. Guided type fall arresters including a rigid anchor line are
specified in EN 353-1.

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EN 363:2002 (E)

Key
1 Attachment/detachment point/end stop
2 Rigid anchor line
3 Bracket
4 Guided type fall arrester
5 Lanyard
6 Full body harness
Figure 2 - Example of a fall arrest system with a guided type fall arrester including a rigid anchor line

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 EN 363:2002 (E)

3.3 Fall arrest system with a guided type fall arrester including a flexible anchor line

An example of a fall arrest system with a guided type fall arrester including a flexible anchor line is shown in Figure
3. An energy dissipating function may be installed between the fall arrester and the anchor line or an energy
absorber may be incorporated in the lanyard or in the anchor line. Guided type fall arresters including a flexible
anchor line are specified in EN 353-2.

Key

1 Anchor point
2 Full body harness
3 Energy absorber
4 Lanyard
5 Guided type fall arrester
6 Flexible anchor line
7 End stop, attachment weight or attached lower termination

Figure 3 - Example of a fall arrest system with a guided type fall arrester including a flexible anchor line

3.4 Fall arrest system with an energy absorber

An example of a fall arrest system with an energy absorber is shown in Figure 4. The energy absorber can also be
located at the anchor point. Energy absorbers are specified in EN 355.

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EN 363:2002 (E)

Key

1 Anchor point
2 Lanyard
3 Energy absorber
4 Full body harness
Figure 4 - Example of a fall arrest system with an energy absorber

4 Requirements

4.1 Design and ergonomics

A fall arrest system shall be so designed and manufactured:

- that in the foreseeable conditions of use for which it is intended the user can perform the risk-related
activity normally while enjoying appropriate protection of the highest possible level;

- as to preclude risks and other nuisance factors under foreseeable conditions of use;

- as to facilitate correct positioning on the user and to remain in place for the foreseeable period of use,
bearing in mind ambient factors, movements to be made and postures to be adopted. For this purpose, it
shall be possible to optimize the adoption of a full body harness to user morphology by all appropriate
means, such as adequate adjustment elements or the provision of an adequate size range;

- that it is as light as possible without prejudicing design strength and efficiency;

- as to become not incorrectly adjusted without the user's knowledge under the foreseeable conditions of
use;

- that under the foreseeable conditions of use the vertical drop of the user is minimized to prevent collision
with obstacles and the braking force does not, however, attain the threshold value at which physical injury
or the tearing or rupture of any component or element which might cause the user to fall can be expected
to occur;

- that after arresting the user is maintained in a correct position in which he may await help if necessary.

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 EN 363:2002 (E)

4.2 Components

A full body harness and a lanyard without energy absorber shall not be used as a fall arrest system.

Test methods for the components of a fall arrest system are specified in EN 364.

The assembler of a fall arrest system or a connecting sub-system for fall arrest purposes shall ensure that
components and elements intended for use in a fall arrest system have been proved capable of meeting the test
requirements.

The manufacturer or supplier shall give sufficient information on the compatibility of all components of a fall arrest
system to the purchaser.

The assembler shall ensure that a component is compatible with any other component which may be assembled in
a fall arrest system.

General requirements for information supplied by the manufacturer and for marking are specified in EN 365.

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EN 363:2002 (E)

Annex ZA
(informative)

Clauses of this European Standard addressing essential requirements or

other provisions of EU Directives

This European Standard 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 Directive 89/686/EEC.

WARNING : Other requirements and other EU Directives 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, Annex II clauses of this standard

1.1 Design principles 3, 4.1 and 4.2

1.3.2 Lightness and design strength 4.1

2.9 PPE incorporating components which can be 3 and 4.1

adjusted or removed by the user

2.10 PPE for connection to another, external 1 and 3

complementary device

3.1.2.2 Prevention of falls from height 3 and 4.1

Compliance with the clauses of this European Standard provides one means of conforming to the specific essential
requirements of the Directive concerned and associated EFTA regulations.

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 EN 363:2002 (E)

Bibliography

EN 353-1, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height – Part 1: Guided type fall arresters including a
rigid anchor line.

EN 353-2, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height – Part 2: Guided type fall arresters including a
flexible anchor line.

EN 354, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height – Lanyards.

EN 355, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Energy absorbers.

EN 360, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Retractable type fall arresters.

EN 361, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Full body harnesses.

EN 362, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height – Connectors.

EN 364, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Test methods.

EN 365, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - General requirements for instructions for use
and for marking.

13
BS EN
363:2002
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