FprEN 14404-6

Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part 6: Requirements for kneeling systems (type 4)

This document specifies requirements for knee protectors (kneeling systems (type 4)) and performance levels for use when working in a kneeling position in order to reduce injuries to the knees caused by continuous pressure and penetration. Requirements for the marking of kneeling systems and the information to be supplied by the manufacturer are given. Where protection against additional hazards is claimed, performance requirements from other standards are applicable.
This document does not apply to knee protectors which are not attached to the body in use and that are medical devices or are intended for sports and motorcycles.

Persönliche Schutzausrüstung - Knieschutz für Arbeiten in kniender Haltung - Teil 6: Anforderungen an Knieschutz-Systeme (Typ 4)

Dieses Dokument legt die Anforderungen an Knieschützer (Knieschutz-Systeme [Typ 4]) und die Leistungsstufen für den Einsatz bei Arbeiten in kniender Haltung fest, um Knieverletzungen zu verringern, die durch ständigen Druck und Penetration verursacht werden. Es werden Anforderungen an die Kennzeichnung von Knieschutz-Systemen und die Herstellerinformationen gestellt. Ist Schutz gegen zusätzliche Gefährdungen erforderlich, gelten Leistungsanforderungen anderer Normen.
Dieses Dokument gilt nicht für Knieschützer, die während der Anwendung nicht am Körper befestigt sind und die ein Medizinprodukt oder für Sport und Motorräder vorgesehen sind.

Équipements de protection individuelle - Protecteurs de genoux pour le travail à genoux - Partie 6 : Exigences relatives aux systèmes d’agenouillement (type 4)

Le présent document spécifie les exigences relatives aux protecteurs de genoux (systèmes d’agenouillement [type 4]) et niveaux de performance pour le travail à genoux afin de réduire les blessures aux genoux causées par une pression et une pénétration continues. Il présente les exigences de marquage des systèmes d’agenouillement ainsi que la notice d’information du fabricant. Si une protection contre des dangers additionnels est requise, les exigences de performance d’autres normes sont applicables.
Le présent document ne s’applique pas aux protecteurs de genoux qui sont attachés au corps pendant l’utilisation et qui sont des dispositifs médicaux ou sont destinés aux sports et aux motos.

Osebna varovalna oprema - Ščitniki za kolena za delo v klečečem položaju - 6. del: Zahteve za sisteme za varovanje kolen (tip 4)

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 27-Feb-2023
• ICS: 13.340.50 - Leg and foot protection
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 162 - Protective clothing including hand and arm protection and lifejackets
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 162/WG 5 - Resistance to mechanical impact of protective clothing
• Current Stage: 6055 - CEN Ratification completed (DOR) - Publishing
• Start Date: 20-Jun-2022
• Due Date: 28-Jan-2021
• Completion Date: 20-Jun-2022
• 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
• 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: kSIST FprEN 14404-6:2022 - Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part 6: Requirements for kneeling systems (type 4)

Relations

• Revises: EN 14404:2004+A1:2010 - Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position
• Effective Date: 19-Jan-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 14404-6:2019
01-maj-2019

2VHEQDYDURYDOQDRSUHPDâþLWQLNL]DNROHQD]DGHORYNOHþHþHPSRORåDMXGHO

=DKWHYH]DVLVWHPH]DYDURYDQMHNROHQWLS

Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position – Part

6: Requirements for kneeling systems (type 4)

Persönliche Schutzausrüstung - Knieschutz für Arbeiten in kniender Haltung - Teil 6:

Anforderungen an Knieschutz-Systeme (Typ 4)

Équipements de protection individuelle - Protection des genoux pour le travail à genoux -

Partie 6 : Exigences relatives aux systèmes d’agenouillement (type 4)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 14404-6
ICS:
13.340.50 Varovanje nog in stopal Leg and foot protection
oSIST prEN 14404-6:2019 en,fr,de

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

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oSIST prEN 14404-6:2019
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oSIST prEN 14404-6:2019
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 14404-6
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
March 2019
ICS 13.340.50 Will supersede EN 14404:2004+A1:2010
English Version
Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work
in the kneeling position - Part 6: Requirements for
kneeling systems (type 4)
Persönliche Schutzausrüstung - Knieschutz für
Arbeiten in kniender Haltung - Teil 6: Anforderungen
an Knieschutz-Systeme (Typ 4)

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

CEN/TC 162.

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, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,

Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, 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

© 2019 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 14404-6:2019 E

worldwide for CEN national Members.
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oSIST prEN 14404-6:2019
prEN 14404-6:2019 (E)
Contents Page

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

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 4

1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 5

2 Normative references .................................................................................................................................... 5

3 Terms and definitions ................................................................................................................................... 5

4 Performance levels ......................................................................................................................................... 5

5 Requirements ................................................................................................................................................... 6

5.1 General requirements for knee protectors ........................................................................................... 7

5.2 Products for testing ........................................................................................................................................ 7

5.3 Orientation of the knee protector ............................................................................................................. 8

5.3.1 Vertical alignment .......................................................................................................................................... 8

5.3.2 Knee right, left .................................................................................................................................................. 8

5.4 Specific requirements for knee protectors ............................................................................................ 8

5.4.1 Size and dimension ......................................................................................................................................... 8

5.4.2 Penetration resistance ............................................................................................................................... 10

5.4.3 Force distribution ........................................................................................................................................ 10

5.4.4 Peak transmitted force............................................................................................................................... 10

5.4.5 Restraint .......................................................................................................................................................... 10

5.5 Optional requirements - Water resistance ......................................................................................... 11

5.6 Ergonomic requirements .......................................................................................................................... 11

5.6.1 Restraint and comfort during use on an even surface .................................................................... 11

5.6.2 Restraint and comfort during use on an uneven surface............................................................... 11

5.6.3 Compliance of straps ................................................................................................................................... 11

6 Marking ............................................................................................................................................................ 11

6.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 11

6.2 Specific ............................................................................................................................................................. 11

7 Information to be supplied by the manufacturer ............................................................................. 12

Annex A (informative) Information on the problems of using knee protectors for work in

the kneeling position .................................................................................................................................. 14

A.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 14

A.2 Advice to users .............................................................................................................................................. 14

(informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the

Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment aimed to be covered.............. 15

Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................. 16

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oSIST prEN 14404-6:2019
prEN 14404-6:2019 (E)
European foreword

This document (prEN 14404-6:2019) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 162

“Protective clothing including hand and arm protection and life jackets”, the secretariat of which is held

by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 14404:2004+A1:2010.

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.

This standard “Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position” is

split into 6 parts:
— Part 1: Test methods
— Part 2: Requirements for wearable knee protectors (type 1)
— Part 3: Requirements for the combination of knee pads and garments (type 2)

— Part 4: Requirements for the combination of interoperable knee pads and garments (type 2)

— Part 5: Requirements for knee mats (type 3)
— Part 6: Requirements for kneeling systems (type 4)
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oSIST prEN 14404-6:2019
prEN 14404-6:2019 (E)
Introduction

Kneeling is a frequently occurring working position, but one which is problematic from an occupational

health viewpoint. Without knee protectors, workers may suffer immediate injuries from hard surfaces

and small stones and similar objects lying on the surfaces. However, no knee protector can ensure that

workers will not suffer medical complications if they are required to kneel for long periods.

It is important that knee protectors do not compromise venous drainage in the leg while kneeling or

standing up. Therefore, it is important that it is easy for workers to change position and to stand up to

re-establish a normal blood circulation at frequent intervals while wearing knee protectors.

Work in a kneeling position involves the risk of chronic diseases such as prepatellar bursitis and

cartilage injuries caused by continuous pressure on the knees. Knee protection is therefore

recommended for all work in the kneeling position. The protection should distribute forces evenly and

prevent small hard objects on the ground causing injuries. Many workers have pre-existing damage to

their knees, particularly to their cartilages from sports injuries and from previous work. These injuries

will be made worse by further kneeling. Wearing knee protectors cannot correct existing damage, but

should slow down further damaging effects.

Work in a kneeling position may expose the skin of the shins, knees and thighs to toxic and corrosive

materials normally kept off the body while walking and standing by waterproof or water-resistant

footwear. Knee protectors and trousers for use with such wet materials and particularly wet cement,

should take this into account and provide adequate protection, as should footwear.

For working in kneeling position exist 4 types of knee protectors:
— wearable knee protectors (type 1),
— knee pads in combination with garments (type 2),
— knee mats (type 3) and
— kneeling systems (type 4)

This document describes test methods, specifies requirements for knee protectors and defines

performance levels. Requirements for the marking of knee protectors and the information to be

supplied by the manufacturer are given. Where protection against additional hazards is claimed,

performance requirements from other applicable standards may also be applied.

The additional functions of the kneeling systems (type 4) could lead to consider other legislations than

the PPE regulation (e.g. general product safety directive). Requirements related to PPE regulation of the

kneeling systems (type 4) are based on those of wearable knee protectors (type 1) or knee pads in

combination with garments (type 2).

This document does not apply to knee protectors that are medical devices or are intended for sports

and motorcycles.
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oSIST prEN 14404-6:2019
prEN 14404-6:2019 (E)
1 Scope

This document specifies the requirements for knee systems (type 4) for use by work in kneeling

position.
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.

prEN 14404-1:2019, Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position – Test methods

EN ISO 3758, Textiles - Care labelling code using symbols
EN ISO 13688, Protective clothing - General requirements (ISO 13688:2013)
ISO 7000, Graphical symbols for use on equipment — Registered symbols
3 Terms and definitions
For the purpose of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

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

• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
knee protectors, knee systems (type 4)

knee protectors worn on the body for one or both knees, which are parts of devices with additional

functions

Note 1 to entry: additional functions such as a frame to aid standing up, or a kneeling seat

3.2
restraint

part of the kneeling system which keeps this fixed in position on the leg and is required to protect the

knee
3.3
zone of protection

surface of the knee protector that is intended to provide the user with protection of patellar and

infrapatellar areas
4 Performance levels

Four performance levels are defined. The tests for the performance levels are described in 4 of

prEN 14404-1:2019:

— level 0: knee protectors suitable for use on flat floor surfaces and providing no protection against

penetration.

— level 1: knee protectors suitable for use on flat floor surfaces and providing protection against

penetration at a force of at least 100 N
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oSIST prEN 14404-6:2019
prEN 14404-6:2019 (E)

— level 1U: knee protectors suitable for use on even or uneven surfaces providing protection against

penetration at a force of at least 100 N.

— level 2: knee protectors suitable for use on flat or non-flat floor surfaces in severe conditions and

providing protection against penetration at a force of at least 250 N.
5 Requirements

Summary of the requirements given in Clause 5.1 – Clause 7 for knee systems (type 4) and the tests

applicable

Table 1 — Summary of requirements for kneeling systems (type 4) that are worn on the body

and the tests applicable
Level
Clause Clauses describing the tests
Subject
number applicable
0 1 1U 2
5.1 General requirements X X X X Part 1: 5.4.1
Part 1: 5.4.2
5.1 Innocuousness X X X X
EN ISO 13688
5.2 Products for testing X X X X Comparison with Clause 5, 5.2
Orientation of the knee protector
5.3.1 X X X X Comparison with Clause 5, 5.3.1
Vertical alignment
Orientation of the knee protector
5.3.2 X X X X Comparison with Clause 5, 5.3.2
Knee, right/left
5.4.1.1 Size designation X X X X Part 1: 5.4.3
5.4.1.2 Dimensions X X X X Part 1: 5.4.3
Penetration resistance
5.4.2 X X X Part 1: 5.5
n.a
(Performance levels 1, 1U and 2)
5.4.3.1 Force distribution on an even surface X X n.a. n.a. Part 1: 5.6.2.1
5.4.3.2 Force distribution on an uneven surface n.a. n.a. X X Part 1: 5.6.2.2
5.4.4 Peak transmitted force X X X X Part 1: 5.7
5.4.5.1 General requirements for restraint X X X X Part 1: 5.8.1
5.4.5.2 Restraint by straps or equivalent system X X X X Part 1: 5.8.1
5.5. Optional requirement for water resistance X X X X Part 1: 5.9.1
Restraint and comfort during use on an even
5.6.1 X X n.a. n.a. Part 1: 5.11.2.1
surface
Restraint and comfort during use on an
5.6.2 n.a. n.a. X X Part 1: 5.11.3.1
uneven surface
5.6.3 Compliance of straps X X X X Part 1: 5.12
6 Marking X X X X Comparison with Clause 6
7 Manufacturer information X X X X Comparison with Clause 7
n.a.: non-applicable
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oSIST prEN 14404-6:2019
prEN 14404-6:2019 (E)

Table 2 — Summary of requirements for kneeling systems (type 4) that are not worn on the

body and the tests applicable
Level
Clause Clauses describing the tests
Subject
number applicable
0 1 1U 2
5.1 General requirements X X X X Part 1: 5.4.1
Part 1: 5.4.2
5.1 Innocuousness X X X X
EN ISO 13688
5.2 Products for testing X X X X Comparison with Clause 5, 5.2
5.3.1 Orientation of
...