ASTM F887-23

Standard Specifications for Personal Climbing Equipment

SCOPE
Table of Contents  
Section Title  
Section/Paragraph  
Scope  
1  
Referenced Documents  
2  
Terminology  
3  
Significance and Use  
4  
Pole and Tree Climbers  
Classification  
5  
Ordering Information  
6  
Pole and Tree Climbers  
7  
Climber Gaffs  
8  
Climber Straps  
9  
Climber Pads  
10  
Climber Footplates  
11  
Body Belts, Positioning Devices and Wood Pole Fall Restriction Devices (WPFRD)  
Classification  
12  
Ordering Information  
13  
Two Dee Body Belts, Auxiliary Positioning Belts, and Four Dee Body Belts  
14  
Two Dee Body Belts  
14.1  
Auxiliary Positioning Belts and Four Dee Body Belts  
14.2  
Positioning Devices  
15  
Wood Pole Fall Restriction Device (WPFRD)  
16  
Arborist Saddle  
17  
Harnesses  
Classification  
18  
Ordering Information  
18.2  
Sizing  
18.3  
Marking  
18.4  
Energy Absorbing Lanyards  
Classification  
19  
Ordering Information  
20  
Energy Absorbing Lanyards  
21  
Qualification Testing  
After Exposure to an Electric Arc  
22  
Hardware Requirements  
23  
Test Equipment  
24  
Qualification Testing  
25  
Body Belts, Four Dee Body Belts, and Auxiliary Positioning Belts  
25.1  
Positioning Devices  
25.2  
WPFRD  
25.3  
Arborist Saddle  
25.4  
Harness  
25.5  
Energy Absorbers  
25.6  
Instructions  
26  
Guarantee and Rejection  
27  
Keywords  
28  
1.1 This standard covers the specifications and qualification testing of the following:  
Climbers,
Climber straps,
Climber Pads,
Climber Footplates,
Body Belts,
Work Positioning Devices with Locking Snaphooks/Carabiners,
Wood Pole Fall Restriction Devices (WPFRD),
Arborist Saddle,
Harnesses,
Energy Absorbing Lanyards.
These devices are used by workers in the climbing of poles, trees, towers, and other structures. Minimum performance criteria for harnesses and energy absorbing lanyards in arresting a fall after exposure to electric arcs are included for workers who may be exposed to thermal hazards of momentary electric arcs or flame.  
1.2 Equipment may fall within one of the following categories:  
1.2.1 Fall (Travel) Restraint—Prevents a user from reaching a fall hazard (allow 0 fall distance).  
1.2.2 Work Positioning—Allows a 2 ft maximum free fall distance.  
1.2.3 Fall Arrest—Allows a 6 ft maximum free fall distance with a maximum arrest force of 1800 lb.
Note 1: Under certain conditions and with the use of equipment designed for such conditions, a 12-ft free-fall distance with a maximum arrest force of 1800 lb is allowed.  
1.2.4 Suspension—Allows 0 free-fall distance while supporting the user’s weight.  
1.2.5 Fall Restriction—to prevent or limit free fall from a work position or while ascending/descending a wood pole.  
1.3 Three types of climbers, (Types A, B, and C) and two types of climber straps, Types (A and B) are covered.  
1.4 Two types of body belts, (Types A and B) are covered.  
1.5 Eight types of work positioning devices: three positioning straps, (Types A, B, and C), three adjustable-positioning lanyards, (Types A, B and C) and two nonadjustable positioning lanyards, (Types A and B) are covered.  
1.6 Two types of WPFRD, (Types A and AB) are covered.  
1.7 Arborist saddle, (Type A) Work Positioning and Suspension are covered.  
1.8 Two types of harnesses, (Types A and B) are covered.  
1.9 Two types of energy absorbing lanyards, (Types A and B) are covered.  
1.10 The values stated in United States customary units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.11 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test method portions, 9.2, 10.3, 11.2, 14.1.4, 15.3, 15.4, 16.2, 17.2, 18.4, 21.2, 22, 23, and 25 of ...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2023
• ICS: 97.220.40 - Outdoor and water sports equipment
• Technical Committee: F18 - Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers
• Drafting Committee: F18.15 - Worker Personal Equipment

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F887-20 - Standard Specifications for Personal Climbing Equipment
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM F1959/F1959M-24 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Rating of Materials for Clothing
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM F1959/F1959M-23a - Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Rating of Materials for Clothing
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM F1959/F1959M-23 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Arc Rating of Materials for Clothing
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F887 − 23
Standard Specifications for
1
Personal Climbing Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F887; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
Table of Contents
Section/
Table of Contents Section Title
Paragraph
Section/
Section Title
Guarantee and Rejection 27
Paragraph
Keywords 28
Scope 1
Referenced Documents 2
1.1 This standard covers the specifications and qualification
Terminology 3
testing of the following:
Significance and Use 4
Pole and Tree Climbers
Climbers,
Classification 5
Climber straps,
Ordering Information 6
Climber Pads,
Pole and Tree Climbers 7
Climber Gaffs 8 Climber Footplates,
Climber Straps 9
Body Belts,
Climber Pads 10
Work Positioning Devices with Locking Snaphooks/
Climber Footplates 11
Body Belts, Positioning Devices and Wood Pole Fall Carabiners,
Restriction Devices (WPFRD)
Wood Pole Fall Restriction Devices (WPFRD),
Classification 12
Arborist Saddle,
Ordering Information 13
Two Dee Body Belts, Auxiliary Positioning Belts, and 14
Harnesses,
Four Dee Body Belts
Energy Absorbing Lanyards.
Two Dee Body Belts 14.1
These devices are used by workers in the climbing of poles,
Auxiliary Positioning Belts and Four Dee Body Belts 14.2
Positioning Devices 15
trees, towers, and other structures. Minimum performance
Wood Pole Fall Restriction Device (WPFRD) 16
criteria for harnesses and energy absorbing lanyards in arrest-
Arborist Saddle 17
Harnesses ing a fall after exposure to electric arcs are included for
Classification 18
workers who may be exposed to thermal hazards of momentary
Ordering Information 18.2
electric arcs or flame.
Sizing 18.3
Marking 18.4
1.2 Equipment may fall within one of the following catego-
Energy Absorbing Lanyards
Classification 19 ries:
Ordering Information 20
1.2.1 Fall (Travel) Restraint—Prevents a user from reaching
Energy Absorbing Lanyards 21
a fall hazard (allow 0 fall distance).
Qualification Testing
After Exposure to an Electric Arc 22
1.2.2 Work Positioning—Allows a 2 ft maximum free fall
Hardware Requirements 23
distance.
Test Equipment 24
Qualification Testing 25
1.2.3 Fall Arrest—Allows a 6 ft maximum free fall distance
Body Belts, Four Dee Body Belts, and Auxiliary 25.1
with a maximum arrest force of 1800 lb.
Positioning Belts
Positioning Devices 25.2
NOTE 1—Under certain conditions and with the use of equipment
WPFRD 25.3
designed for such conditions, a 12-ft free-fall distance with a maximum
Arborist Saddle 25.4
Harness 25.5
arrest force of 1800 lb is allowed.
Energy Absorbers 25.6
1.2.4 Suspension—Allows 0 free-fall distance while sup-
Instructions 26
porting the user’s weight.
1.2.5 Fall Restriction—to prevent or limit free fall from a
1
work position or while ascending/descending a wood pole.
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on Electrical
Protective Equipment for Workers and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
1.3 Three types of climbers, (Types A, B, and C) and two
F18.15 on Worker Personal Equipment.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally
types of climber straps, Types (A and B) are covered.
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as F887 – 20. DOI:
10.1520/F0887-23. 1.4 Two types of body belts, (Types A and B) are covered.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F887 − 23
1.5 Eight types of work positioning devices: three position- Z359.14-2021 Safety Requirements for Self-Retracting De-
ing straps, (Types A, B, and C), three adjustable-positioning vices for Personal Fall Arrest and Rescue Systems
5
lanyards, (Types A, B and C) and two nonadjustable position-
2.4 CSA Standard:
ing lanyards, (Types A and B) are covered.
CAN/CSA 015 Wood Utility Poles and Reinforcing Stubs
1.6 Two types of WPFRD, (Types A and AB) are covered.
3. Terminology
1.7 Arborist saddle, (Type A) Work Positioning and Suspen-
3.1 Definitions:
sion are covered.
3.1.1 adjustable positioning lanyard (APL), n—a compo-
1.8 Two types of harnesses, (Types A and B) are covered.
nent of a work positioning or fall restriction system (may be
1.9 Two types of energy absorbing lanyards, (Types A and
used for applications such as transitioning past an obstruction
B) are covered.
during ascent or
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F887 − 20 F887 − 23
Standard Specifications for
1
Personal Climbing Equipment
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F887; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original
adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript
epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope*
Table of Contents
Section/
Section Title
Paragraph
Scope 1
Referenced Documents 2
Terminology 3
Significance and Use 4
Pole and Tree Climbers
Classification 5
Ordering Information 6
Pole and Tree Climbers 7
Climber Gaffs 8
Climber Straps 9
Climber Pads 10
Climber Footplates 11
Body Belts, Positioning Devices and Wood Pole Fall
Restriction Devices (WPFRD)
Classification 12
Ordering Information 13
Two Dee Body Belts, Auxiliary Positioning Belts, and 14
Four Dee Body Belts
Two Dee Body Belts 14.1
Auxiliary Positioning Belts and Four Dee Body Belts 14.2
Positioning Devices 15
Wood Pole Fall Restriction Device (WPFRD) 16
Arborist Saddle 17
Harnesses
Classification 18
Ordering Information 18.2
Sizing 18.3
Marking 18.4
Energy Absorbing Lanyards
Classification 19
Ordering Information 20
Energy Absorbing Lanyards 21
Qualification Testing
After Exposure to an Electric Arc 22
Hardware Requirements 23
Test Equipment 24
Qualification Testing 25
Body Belts, Four Dee Body Belts, and Auxiliary 25.1
Positioning Belts
Positioning Devices 25.2
WPFRD 25.3
1
This standard is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F18 on Electrical Protective Equipment for Workers and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F18.15
on Worker Personal Equipment.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2020Nov. 1, 2023. Published April 2020December 2023. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 20182020 as
F887 – 18.F887 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/F0887-20.10.1520/F0887-23.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F887 − 23
Table of Contents
Section/
Section Title
Paragraph
Arborist Saddle 25.4
Harness 25.5
Energy Absorbers 25.6
Instructions 26
Guarantee and Rejection 27
Keywords 28
1.1 This standard covers the specifications and qualification testing of the following:
Climbers,
Climber straps,
Climber Pads,
Climber Footplates,
Body Belts,
Work Positioning Devices with Locking Snaphooks/Carabiners,
Wood Pole Fall Restriction Devices (WPFRD),
Arborist Saddle,
Harnesses,
Energy Absorbing Lanyards.
These devices are used by workers in the climbing of poles, trees, towers, and other structures. Minimum performance criteria
for harnesses and energy absorbing lanyards in arresting a fall after exposure to electric arcs are included for workers who may
be exposed to thermal hazards of momentary electric arcs or flame.
1.2 Equipment may fall within one of the following categories:
1.2.1 Fall (Travel) Restraint—Prevents a user from reaching a fall hazard (allow 0 fall distance).
1.2.2 Work Positioning—Allows a 2 ft maximum free fall distance.
1.2.3 Fall Arrest—Allows a 6 ft maximum free fall distance with a maximum arrest force of 1800 lb.
NOTE 1—Under certain conditions and with the use of equipment designed for such conditions, a 12-ft free-fall distance with a maximum arrest force
of 1800 lb is allowed.
1.2.4 Suspension—Allows 0 free-fall distance while supporting the user’s weight.
1.2.5 Fall Restriction—to prevent or limit free fall from a work position or while ascending/descending a wood pole.
1.3 Three types of climbers, (Types A, B, and C) and two types of climber straps, Types (A and B) are covered.
1.4 Two types of body belts, (Types A and B) are covered.
1.5 Eight types of work positioning devices: three positioning straps, (Types A, B, and C), three adjustable-positioning lanyards,
(Types A, B and C) and two nonadjustable positioning lanyards, (Types A and B) are covered.
1.6 Two types of WPFRD, (Types A and AB) are covered.
1.7 Arborist saddle, (Type A) Work Positioning and Suspension are covered.
1.8 Two types of harnesses, (Types A and B) are covered.
1.9 Two types of energy absorbing lanyards, (Types A and B) are covered.
2

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F887 − 23
1.10 The values stated in United States customary units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are
mathematical conversions to SI units that
...