prEN 813

Personal fall protection equipment - Sit harnesses

This European Standard specifies requirements, testing, marking and manufacturer’s instructions and information for sit harnesses to be used in restraint, work positioning and rope access systems, where a low point of attachment is required. Sit harnesses are not suitable to be used for fall arrest purposes.

Persönliche Absturzschutzausrüstung - Sitzgurte

Equipement de protection individuelle pour la prévention contre les chutes de hauteur - Ceintures à cuissardes

Osebna varovalna oprema za zaščito pred padci z višine - Sedežni pasovi

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• ICS: 13.340.60 - Protection against falling and slipping
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 160 - Protection against falls from height including working belts
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 160/WG 3 - Personal equipment for work positioning and/or prevention of falls from a height
• Current Stage: 4599 - Dispatch of FV draft to CMC - Finalization for Vote
• Directive: 2016/425 - Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment and repealing Council Directive 89/686/EEC
• Directive: 89/686/EEC - Council Directive 89/686/EEC of 21 December 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to personal protective equipment
• Mandate: M/031 - Standardization mandate to CEN/CENELEC concerning standards for Personal Protective Equipment
• Mandate: M/571 - COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 19.11.2020 on a standardisation request to the European Committee for Standardization and the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization as regards personal protective equipment in support of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 813:2021 - Personal fall protection equipment - Sit harnesses

RELATIONS

• Revised: EN 813:2008 - Personal fall protection equipment - Sit harnesses
• Effective Date: 13-Nov-2017

Standards Content (sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 813:2021
01-november-2021
Osebna varovalna oprema za zaščito pred padci z višine - Sedežni pasovi
Personal fall protection equipment - Sit harnesses
Persönliche Absturzschutzausrüstung - Sitzgurte

Equipement de protection individuelle pour la prévention contre les chutes de hauteur -

Ceintures à cuissardes
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 813
ICS:
13.340.60 Zaščita pred padci in zdrsi Protection against falling and
slipping
oSIST prEN 813:2021 en,fr,de

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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oSIST prEN 813:2021
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oSIST prEN 813:2021
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 813
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2021
ICS Will supersede EN 813:2008
English Version
Personal fall protection equipment - Sit harnesses

Equipement de protection individuelle pour la Persönliche Absturzschutzausrüstung - Sitzgurte

prévention contre les chutes de hauteur - Ceintures à
cuissardes

This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee

CEN/TC 160.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, 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.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN 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 CEN-CENELEC

Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,

Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,

Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and

United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are

aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without

notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2021 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 813:2021 E

worldwide for CEN national Members.
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oSIST prEN 813:2021
prEN 813:2021 (E)
Contents Page

European foreword ...................................................................................................................................................... 3

1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 4

2 Normative references .................................................................................................................................... 4

3 Terms and definitions ................................................................................................................................... 4

4 Requirements ................................................................................................................................................... 5

4.1 Ergonomics ........................................................................................................................................................ 5

4.2 Design, materials and construction ......................................................................................................... 7

4.2.1 Materials ............................................................................................................................................................ 7

4.2.2 Attachment points .......................................................................................................................................... 7

4.2.3 Load bearing parts ......................................................................................................................................... 8

4.2.4 Back support ..................................................................................................................................................... 8

4.2.5 Fastening and adjustment elements ........................................................................................................ 8

4.2.6 Accessibility ...................................................................................................................................................... 9

4.3 Dynamic strength ............................................................................................................................................ 9

4.4 Static strength .................................................................................................................................................. 9

4.5 Corrosion resistance ...................................................................................................................................... 9

4.6 Marking and information ........................................................................................................................... 10

5 Test methods .................................................................................................................................................. 10

5.1 Examination of design and construction .............................................................................................. 10

5.1.1 Examination of ergonomics....................................................................................................................... 10

5.1.2 Examination of materials and other aspects of design ................................................................... 11

5.1.3 Examination of design and construction for fastening and adjustment elements ................ 11

5.2 Dynamic strength .......................................................................................................................................... 12

5.3 Static strength and slippage ...................................................................................................................... 14

5.4 Corrosion resistance of metal components ......................................................................................... 15

6 Marking ............................................................................................................................................................ 16

7 Manufacturer’s instructions and information .................................................................................... 16

Annex A (informative) Safety precautions for the ergonomic test procedure of a sit harness ..... 17

A.1 General.............................................................................................................................................................. 17

A.2 Safety precautions ........................................................................................................................................ 17

Annex B (informative) Background and rationale for this European Standard ................................. 18

Annex C (informative) Significant changes between this document and EN 813:2008 .................... 20

Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential

requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 aimed to be covered ............................................. 22

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oSIST prEN 813:2021
prEN 813:2021 (E)
European foreword

This document (prEN 813:2021) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 160 “Protection

against falls from height including working belts”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.

This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 813:2008.

Annex C provides details of significant changes between this European Standard and the previous

edition EN 813:2008.

This document has been prepared under a Standardization Request given to CEN by the European

Commission and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU

Directive(s) / Regulation(s).

For relationship with EU Directive(s) / Regulation(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral

part of this document.
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oSIST prEN 813:2021
prEN 813:2021 (E)
1 Scope

This document specifies requirements, testing, marking and manufacturer’s instructions and

information for sit harnesses to be used in restraint, work positioning and rope access systems, where a

low point of attachment is required. Sit harnesses are not suitable to be used for fall arrest purposes.

2 Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content

constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For

undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 363, Personal fall protection equipment - Personal fall protection systems

EN 364:1992, 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, maintenance, periodic examination, repair, marking and packaging

EN 892:2012+A1:2016, Mountaineering equipment - Dynamic mountaineering ropes - Safety

requirements and test methods

EN 12277:2015+A1:2018, Mountaineering equipment - Harnesses - Safety requirements and test methods

EN ISO 9227:2017, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres - Salt spray tests (ISO 9227:2017)

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 363 and the following apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
sit harness

arrangement of straps, fittings, buckles, back supports or other elements in the form of a waist belt with

a ventral attachment point and connecting support encircling each leg suitably arranged so that a

conscious person can be supported in a sitting position
Note 1 to entry: Sit harnesses may be fitted with shoulder straps.

Note 2 to entry: A sit harness may be incorporated into a garment or in a full body harness.

3.2
attachment point

specific connecting point on the sit harness for the load bearing connection to other components,

consisting of one or more attachment elements
3.3
attachment element
load bearing element provided for the connection of other components
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prEN 813:2021 (E)
3.4
load bearing parts
parts of the sit harness intended to transmit forces

Note 1 to entry: Attachment elements, leg loops and waist belts are examples of load bearing parts.

Note 2 to entry: Accessory parts and clothing are examples of non-load bearing parts.

3.5
back support

part of the sit harness intended to give physical support to the lower back of the wearer

3.6
fastening element
element used to close and open the sit harness
3.7
adjustment element
element used to adjust the sit harness to fit the user
4 Requirements
4.1 Ergonomics
When tested in accordance with 5.1.1, the sit harness shall be shown to:
a) be capable of adjustment to enable correct positioning on the user;

b) be able to support the user in an upright sitting position while in suspension;

c) allow the person wearing the sit harness to undertake a specified range of movements without

undue discomfort;

d) consist of metal fittings with no contact with the groin, the inside of the thighs, the armpits or the

small of the back;
e) remain correctly adjusted.
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oSIST prEN 813:2021
prEN 813:2021 (E)

a) front view with attachment point consisting of one attachment element and back view

b) front view with attachment point consisting of two attachment elements
Key
1 attachment point
2 straps connecting leg loops to waist belt
3 leg loop
4 waist belt
5 fastening and/or adjustment element
6 back support
7 attachment element
Figure 1 — Examples of sit harnesses
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4.2 Design, materials and construction
4.2.1 Materials

4.2.1.1 When checked in accordance with 5.1.2.1, materials used in sit harnesses that may come

into contact with the skin of a user shall not be known to cause irritating or sensitization effects when

used as intended.

4.2.1.2 When checked in accordance with 5.1.2.1, webbing and sewing threads shall be known to be

made from man-made fibres suitable for their intended use and the breaking tenacity of the man-made

fibres shall be known to be at least 0,6 N/tex.

4.2.1.3 When checked in accordance with 5.1.2.1, the shade of the thread used for sewing shall be

such as to contrast with the shade of the webbing to facilitate visual inspection.

4.2.1.4 When checked in accordance with 5.1.2.6, metal and other parts shall be free from sharp

edges and burrs that could cause injury.
4.2.2 Attachment points

4.2.2.1 When checked in accordance with 5.1.2.1, the sit harness shall have at least one attachment

point located at the front and to the centre. (see Figure 2a)). The front attachment point may be

movable (see Figure 2b)).

NOTE The front attachment point can consist of two attachment elements (e.g. loops) which are designed to

be linked into a single attachment point as described in the manufacturer’s instructions and information

(see Figure 2c), Figure 2d) and Figure 1b)).

4.2.2.2 When checked in accordance with 5.1.2.1, the sit harness may have additional side or back

attachment point(s) according to EN 358.

4.2.2.3 If shoulder straps are fitted to the sit harness, they shall not contain attachment points,

when checked in accordance with 5.1.2.5, except if it is incorporated into a full body harness

conforming to EN 361.
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Figure 2 — Examples of attachment points (front view)
4.2.3 Load bearing parts

4.2.3.1 When checked in accordance with 5.1.1.7, it shall be determined where load bearing parts

exert pressure on the body.

4.2.3.2 When checked in accordance with 5.1.2.3, the width of the zones identified under 5.1.1.7

shall be a minimum of 43 mm.
4.2.4 Back support

Waist belts shall have a back support. When checked in accordance with 5.1.2.4 the minimum length of

the back support shall be 50 mm longer than half the circumference of the waist belt when adjusted to

the maximum radial length (waist size) specified by the manufacturer. The back support shall have a

minimum width of 100 mm and shall cover a minimum overall surface area of 200 cm symmetrically

arranged on the spine of the user and shall have a minimum width of 60 mm elsewhere.

4.2.5 Fastening and adjustment elements

4.2.5.1 When checked in accordance with 5.1.3.2, fastening elements shall be so designed and

constructed that, when fastened in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and information,

they can be released only by at least two different deliberate manual actions.
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4.2.5.2 When checked in accordance with 5.1.3.3, fastening elements shall be so designed and

constructed that, when fastened in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and information,

they cannot unintentionally open.

4.2.5.3 If fastening elements are so designed and constructed that they can be opened by pushing

two buttons, e.g. see Figure 3, when fastened in accordance with the manufacturer’s information, the

buttons have to go back in their original position when checked in accordance with 5.1.3.4. The

fastening element shall not release when checked in accordance with 5.1.3.5.
Figure 3 — Example for design of fastening elements with buttons

4.2.5.4 When tested in accordance with 5.3.4 and 5.3.6, adjustments elements shall be so designed

and constructed that, when adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and

information, the movement and slippage of the webbing through the adjustment elements of the sit

harness shall be not more than 20 mm. If the manufacturer’s instructions and information describe that

adjustment elements can be adjusted in more than one manner, each manner of adjustment shall be

tested.
4.2.6 Accessibility

When checked in accordance with 5.1.2.2, a visual inspection of the unprotected load bearing parts of

the sit harness shall be possible, e.g. inspection of stitching, signs of wear or chemical attack. This shall

also apply when the sit harness is incorporated into a garment.
4.3 Dynamic strength

When tested in accordance with 5.2, with a torso dummy having a mass of 100 kg, using each

attachment point as described in the manufacturers’ instructions and information, the sit harness shall

withstand one drop test without releasing the torso dummy after the first impact and no load bearing

part of the sit harness shall break, rupture or become detached.

NOTE It is acceptable that the torso dummy slips out of the sit harness after rebound.

4.4 Static strength

When tested in accordance with 5.3.5 and 5.3.6, using each attachment point as described in the

manufacturers’ instructions and information the sit harness shall withstand a force of 15 kN applied for

3 min and no load bearing part shall break, rupture or become detached.
4.5 Corrosion resistance

After testing in accordance with 5.4, metallic fastening, adjustment and attachment elements of the sit

harness shall not show evidence of corrosion of the base metal that would affect their function. White

scaling or tarnishing is acceptable if the function is not impaired.
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Care should be taken by the manufacturer not to combine different metals in such a way that there

could be adverse galvanic reaction.

NOTE Conformity to this requirement does not imply suitability for use in a marine environment.

4.6 Marking and information
Marking of the sit harness shall be in accordance with Clause 6.
Information shall be supplied with the sit harness in accordance with Clause 7.
5 Test methods
5.1 Examination of design and construction
5.1.1 Examination of ergonomics

5.1.1.1 The test subjects shall be two persons of different height, within the range 160 cm to

190 cm, and of different weight, within the range 60 kg to 110 kg. Each person shall be within the size

range for the sit harness being examined and shall wear lightweight clothing. There shall be a size

difference of at least 15 cm between the two persons and weight difference of at least 30 kg.

5.1.1.2 The tests shall be carried out by each of the test subjects for each attachment point of the sit

harness designated by the manufacturer.

5.1.1.3 The test subjects shall don the sit harnesses in accordance with the manufacturer’s

instructions and information.

5.1.1.4 Suspend the test subjects clear of the ground by means of a suitable lifting/lowering device

connected to the attachment point.
The test subjects shall be directly supervised throughout the procedure.
The safety precautions outlined in Annex A, A.2 should be taken into account.

5.1.1.5 The test shall be stopped immediately if one of the test subjects experiences any

unacceptable pain, discomfort or distress.

5.1.1.6 The duration of the suspension shall be 4 min. Adjustment of the sit harness while the

( )
−0,25

test subjects are in suspension may be made at any time during the test. If either of the test subjects has

to step down on the floor for readjustment, the test shall start from the beginning after readjustment.

5.1.1.7 Identify where the load bearing parts exert pressure on the body of each test subject during

suspension and mark these zones.

5.1.1.8 During the test, the test subjects shall demonstrate while suspended that a sitting position

can be maintained without discomfort. Additionally, the test subjects shall carry out the following

movements to determine whether the sit harness allows ad
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