Revised Standard from Last Update.

1. SCOPE

1.1 This standard (Part 1) specifies the requirements, methods of sampling, test methods, instructions for general use, marking, packaging and maintenance for full-body harnesses (FBH).

The main purpose of a FBH is to allow the user to connect into a personal fall-arrest system (PFAS), which has been specified in IS 3521 (Part 6)/ISO 10333-6, such that if an arrest takes place, the arresting force will not exceed 6 kN.

1.2 For the purposes of this standard, FBH may have attachment elements that allow the user to connect into other types of safety or access system, for example a work-positioning system, a controlled descent/ascent system or a confined-space access system. This part of IS 3521 includes requirements for such attachment elements.

This part of IS 3521 is applicable only to FBH limited to single-person use of a total mass not exceeding 100 kg.

NOTE - Users of fall-protection equipment whose total mass (including tools and equipment) exceeds 100 kg are advised to seek advice from the equipment manufacturer regarding the suitability of the equipment, which may need additional testing.

1.3 The scope of this part does not extend to:

a) Waist belts or chest harnesses: such equipment is not considered as safe to use in personal fall-arrest systems (PFAS);

b) All other types of harnesses that are not designed primarily for use in PFAS;

c) Other special requirements for FBH, peculiar to use in a controlled descent/ascent system or a confined-space access system; and

d) Any assessment of compatibility or suitability in respect of the performance of FBH in a controlled descent/ascent system or a confined-space access system.

1.4 This part does not specify those additional requirements that would apply when harnesses are subjected to special conditions of use (where, for example, there exist unusual limitations concerning access to the place of work and/or particular environmental factors). Thus, treatments to ensure the durability of the materials of construction (such as heat treatment, anti-corrosion treatment, protection against physical and chemical hazards) are not specified in this part of IS 3521, but should comply with appropriate national standards and other specifications dealing with relevant physical characteristics and/or the safety of users. In particular, when it is considered necessary to test the corrosion resistance of metallic parts of the equipment, reference should be made to ISO 9227.

2 REFERENCES

The standards listed below contain provisions which through reference in this text constitute provisions of this standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were valid. All standards are subject to revision, and parties to agreement based on this Indian Standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the Indian Standards indicated below:

3521(Part 5) : 2021/ISO 10333-5 : 2001 Personal fall-arrest systems: Part 5 Connectors

3521 (Part 6) : 2021/ISO 10333-6 : 2004 Personal fall arrest systems - Specification: Part 6 System performance tests

101 (Part 3/Sec 2) : 1989 Methods of sampling and test for paints, varnishes and related products: Part 3 tests on paint film formation, Section 2 Film thickness (third revision)

3203 : 1982 Methods of testing local thickness of electroplated coatings (first revision)

ISO 9227 : 1990 Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres - Salt spray tests