EN 14404-3:2024

Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part 3: Requirements for the individual combination of knee pads and garments (type 2)

This document specifies requirements for the individual combination (type 2) of knee pads with garments 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 knee pads and garments as well as 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 that are medical devices or are intended for sports and motorcycles.
In this part, requirements are given for a specific combination of an individual pad and accordingly designed garment; these forms of knee protection are thus subject to a joint examination.
A combination of a garment with a fixed sized knee pad pocket and fixed sized knee pad (interoperable pad) is described in EN 14404 4 and is excluded from this part.
The position of type 2 knee pads in or on trousers can be fixed or adjustable. The pads consist of foam plastic or other materials that are positioned in knee pockets of the garments or permanently fastened in or on the garments.

Persönliche Schutzausrüstung - Knieschutz für Arbeiten in kniender Haltung - Teil 3: Anforderungen an die individuelle Kombination von Kniepolstern und Kleidungsstücken (Typ 2)

Dieses Dokument legt die Anforderungen an die individuelle Kombination (Typ 2) von Kniepolstern mit Kleidungsstücken und die Leistungsstufen für den Einsatz bei Arbeiten in kniender Haltung fest, um Knieverletzungen zu verringern, die durch ständigen Druck und Durchstich verursacht werden. Es werden Anforderungen an die Kennzeichnung von Kniepolstern und Kleidungsstücken sowie die Herstellerinformationen gestellt. Wird der Schutz gegen zusätzliche Gefährdungen ausgewiesen, sind die Leistungsanforderungen anderer Normen anwendbar.
Dieses Dokument ist nicht anwendbar für Knieschützer, die ein Medizinprodukt sind oder für Sport und Motorräder vorgesehen sind.
In diesem Dokument werden Anforderungen für eine spezifische Kombination eines individuellen Polsters und einem entsprechend ausgelegten Kleidungsstück angegeben. Diese Formen des Knieschutzes unterliegen somit einer gemeinsamen Untersuchung.
Eine Kombination von einem Kleidungsstück mit einer Kniepolstertasche mit einer festen Größe und einem Kniepolster mit einer festen Größe (interoperables Polster) ist in EN 14404 4 beschrieben und in diesem Teil ausgeschlossen.
Die Position von Kniepolstern des Typs 2 in oder an der Hose kann fest oder justierbar sein. Die Polster bestehen aus Schaumstoff oder anderen Materialien, die in Knietaschen der Kleidungsstücke angeordnet oder dauerhaft in oder an den Kleidungsstücken befestigt sind.

Équipements de protection individuelle - Protecteurs de genoux pour le travail à genoux - Partie 3 : Exigences relatives à la combinaison de plaques de genouillères et de vêtements (type 2)

Le présent document spécifie les exigences relatives à la combinaison de plaques de genouillères et de vêtements (type 2) et aux 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 plaques de genouillères et des vêtements 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 des dispositifs médicaux ou sont destinés aux sports et aux motos.
Dans la présente partie, les exigences sont données pour la combinaison spécifique d’une plaque de genouillère et d’un vêtement conçu pour l’accueillir ; ces formes de protections des genoux sont donc soumises à un examen conjoint.
Une combinaison d’un vêtement doté d’une poche pour plaque de genouillère de taille fixe et d’une plaque de genouillère de taille fixe (plaque interopérable) est décrite dans l’EN 14404 4 et est exclue de la présente partie.
La position des plaques de genouillères de type 2 dans ou sur les pantalons peut être fixe ou réglable. Les plaques de genouillères sont constituées de mousse de plastique ou d’autres matériaux positionnés dans les poches de genoux des vêtements ou fixés de façon permanente dans ou sur les vêtements.

Osebna varovalna oprema - Ščitniki za kolena za delo v klečečem položaju - 3. del: Zahteve za posamezno kombinacijo kolenskih podlog in oblačil (tip 2)

Ta del standarda EN 14404 določa zahteve za posamezne kombinacije kolenskih podlog in oblačil (tip 2), namenjenih za delo v klečečem položaju.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 21-May-2024
• 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: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 22-May-2024
• Due Date: 28-Mar-2021
• Completion Date: 22-May-2024
• 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
• Mandate: M/571 AMD 1 - Personal Protective Equipement
• Ref Project: SIST EN 14404-3:2024 - Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part 3: Requirements for the individual combination of knee pads and garments (type 2)

Relations

• Replaces: 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
01-oktober-2024
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 14404:2005+A1:2010
Osebna varovalna oprema - Ščitniki za kolena za delo v klečečem položaju - 3. del:
Zahteve za posamezno kombinacijo kolenskih podlog in oblačil (tip 2)
Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position - Part
3: Requirements for the individual combination of knee pads and garments (type 2)
Persönliche Schutzausrüstung - Knieschutz für Arbeiten in kniender Haltung - Teil 3:
Anforderungen an die individuelle Kombination von Kniepolstern und Kleidungsstücken
(Typ 2)
Équipements de protection individuelle - Protecteurs de genoux pour le travail à genoux -
Partie 3 : Exigences relatives à la combinaison de plaques de genouillères et de
vêtements (type 2)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 14404-3:2024
ICS:
13.340.50 Varovanje nog in stopal Leg and foot protection
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 14404-3
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
May 2024
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.340.50 Supersedes EN 14404:2004+A1:2010
English Version
Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work
in the kneeling position - Part 3: Requirements for the
individual combination of knee pads and garments (type
2)
Équipements de protection individuelle - Protecteurs Persönliche Schutzausrüstung - Knieschutz für
de genoux pour le travail à genoux - Partie 3 : Arbeiten in kniender Haltung - Teil 3: Anforderungen
Exigences relatives à la combinaison de plaques de an die Kombination von Kniepolstern und Bekleidung
genouillères et de vêtements (type 2) (Typ 2)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 June 2022.

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 CEN-CENELEC 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 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, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2024 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 14404-3:2024 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 Performance levels of knee protectors . 7
5 Requirements . 7
5.1 Summary of the requirements . 7
5.2 General requirements . 9
5.3 Products for testing . 9
5.4 Orientation of the knee pad. 9
5.5 Specific requirements for knee pads and garments . 10
5.6 Optional requirement - Water resistance . 13
5.7 Ergonomic requirements . 13
6 Marking . 13
6.1 General . 13
6.2 Specific . 13
7 Information to be supplied by the manufacturer . 16
7.1 Knee pad . 16
7.2 Garment . 17
Annex A (informative) Rationale . 18
Annex B (informative) Information on the problems of using knee protectors for work in
the kneeling position . 21
Annex C (informative) Information for Type 2 knee protector for arrangement of the knee
protection pocket . 22
Annex ZA (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. 23
Bibliography . 25

European foreword
This document (EN 14404-3:2024) 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 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 2024 and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by November 2024.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document, together with EN 14404-1, EN 14404-2 and EN 14404-4 to EN 14404-6, will supersede
EN 14404:2004+A1:2010.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
For the relationship with EU Legislation, see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.
EN 14404 “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 individual 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).
With the splitting of the standard, the following changes were made:
— definition of the protection zone;
— new combination of interoperable knee pads with interoperable garments (EN 14404-4);
— a bend test for interoperable knee pad was introduced;
— normative references were updated, further normative references are included;
— the cleaning of garments was taken into account;
— an uneven test surface and test was introduced;
— no more "UNISIZE" size; adjustment of size designation;
— additional markings were added.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: 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, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
Introduction
Kneeling is a frequently occurring working position, but one which is problematic from an occupational
health viewpoint. Without knee protectors, workers can 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 cartilage 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 can 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.
For working in a kneeling position, four types of knee protectors exist:
— wearable knee protectors (type 1),
— knee pads in combination with garments (type 2),
— knee mats (type 3), and
— kneeling systems (type 4).
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for the individual combination (type 2) of knee pads with
garments 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 knee pads
and garments as well as 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 that are medical devices or are intended for sports and
motorcycles.
In this part, requirements are given for a specific combination of an individual pad and accordingly
designed garment; these forms of knee protection are thus subject to a joint examination.
A combination of a garment with a fixed sized knee pad pocket and fixed sized knee pad (interoperable
pad) is described in EN 14404-4 and is excluded from this part.
The position of type 2 knee pads in or on trousers can be fixed or adjustable. The pads consist of foam
plastic or other materials that are positioned in knee pockets of the garments or permanently fastened in
or on the garments.
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 14404-1:2024, Personal protective equipment - Knee protectors for work in the kneeling position -
Part 1: Test methods
EN ISO 8559-2:2020, Size designation of clothes - Part 2: Primary and secondary dimension indicators (ISO
8559-2:2017)
EN ISO 13688:2013, Protective clothing - General requirements (ISO 13688:2013)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
knee protector (type 2)
combination of a garment with knee pockets or other means of attachment and pads forming the knee
protection
3.2
individual combination of knee pads and garments (type 2)
specific combination of an individual pad and an accordingly designed garment
3.3
interoperable knee protector to use in garments (type 2)
combination of a garment with a fixed sized knee pad pocket and fixed sized knee pad (interoperable
pad)
Note 1 to entry: Specifications are contained in EN 14404-4:2024.
3.4
restraint
part of the knee protector which keeps the knee pad in the required position to protect the knee
Note 1 to entry: The pads are inserted in a knee pocket or positioned somehow else on the garments.
3.5
zone of protection
area of the knee protector that is intended to provide the user with protection of patellar and infrapatellar
areas against continuous pressure and penetration
4 Performance levels of knee protectors
The performance level of knee protectors is only defined by the penetration resistance and the force
distribution.
Four performance levels are defined. The tests for the performance levels are described in 4.4 and 4.5 of
EN 14404-1:2024.
— Level 0: knee protectors providing no protection against penetration and with a force distribution
less than 30 N when tested on flat even surface.
— Level 1: knee protectors providing protection against penetration at a force of at least 100 N and
with a force distribution less than 30 N when tested on flat even surface.
— Level 1U: knee protectors providing protection against penetration at a force of at least 100 N and a
force distribution less than 30 N when tested on uneven surface.
— Level 2: knee protectors providing protection against penetration at a force of at least 250 N and
with a force distribution less than 30 N when tested on uneven surface.
5 Requirements
5.1 Summary of the requirements
The summary of the requirements and the tests applicable are given in Table 1.
Table 1 — Summary of requirements for the individual combination (type 2) of knee pads and
garments, and the tests applicable
Level
Clause Clauses describing the tests
Subject
number applicable
0 1 1U 2
X X X X
5.2 General requirements EN 14404-1:2024, 4.1 and 4.2
X X X X
EN 14404-1:2024, 4.3.1;
5.2 Innocuousness
EN ISO 13688:2013, 4.2
X X X X
5.3 Products for testing 5.3
Orientation of the knee pad X X X X
5.4.1 5.4.1
Vertical alignment
Orientation of the knee pad X X X X
5.4.2 5.4.2
Knee, right/left
X X X X
5.5.1.1 Size designation of knee pad 5.5.1.1
X X X X
5.5.1.2;
5.5.1.2 Size designation of garment
EN ISO 8559-2:2020
X X X X
5.5.1.3 Dimensions of protective zone EN 14404-1:2024, 4.3.2
Penetration resistance n.a. X X X
5.5.2 EN 14404-1:2024, 4.4
(Performance levels 1, 1U and 2)
Force distribution on a flat even X X n.a. n.a.
5.5.3.1 EN 14404-1:2024, 4.5.2.1
surface
Force distribution on an uneven n.a. n.a. X X
5.5.3.2 EN 14404-1:2024, 4.5.2.2
surface
X X X X
5.5.4 EN 14404-1:2024, 4.6.2
Peak transmitted force
X X X X
EN 14404-1:2024, 4.10.1 and
5.5.5.1 General requirements for restraint
4.10.2
Restraint of knee pads in knee X X X X
pockets on garments or knee
5.5.5.2 EN 14404-1:2024, 4.7.2.1
protectors permanently fastened to
garments
Optional requirement for water X X X X
5.6. EN 14404-1:2024, 4.8.2.2
resistance
Comfort during use on a flat even X X n.a. n.a.
5.7.1 EN 14404-1:2024, 4.10.1
surface
Comfort during use on an uneven n.a. n.a. X X
5.7.2 EN 14404-1:2024, 4.10.2
surface
X X X X
6.1 General Marking 6.1
X X X X
6.2.1 Specific marking for knee pad 6.2.1
X X X X
6.2.2 Specific marking for garment 6.2.2
Manufacturer information for knee X X X X
7.1 7.1
pad
Manufacturer information for X X X X
7.2 7.2
garment
n.a.: non-applicable
5.2 General requirements
5.2.1 Knee pad
Knee pads shall be safe to use and fit for their intended application specified by the manufacturer.
They shall be designed and manufactured to provide protection when used according to the information
supplied by the manufacturer, without endangering the user.
There shall not be hard or sharp edges, seams, buckles or other items on the inner surfaces of the products
(especially within the zone of protection) that could harm the user during normal use. Visual and tactile
examination shall be made according to EN 14404-1:2024, 4.3.1.
Knee pads shall meet the innocuousness requirements of EN ISO 13688:2013, 4.2. Construction materials
and incorporated substances shall not harm those being in or coming into contact with them.
5.2.2 Garment
Garment shall fulfil the requirements of EN ISO 13688:2013, 4.2, 4.4, 5.2 and 5.3.
5.3 Products for testing
In order to check the combination of garment and pad, pads shall be provided with the corresponding
garment.
The manufacturer shall submit:
— garments in the smallest, the middle and the biggest size;
— knee pads, ready to use in garments;
— pads in each size that are placed on the market.
In the case of knee protectors permanently fastened to garments, the manufacturer shall submit the
smallest, a middle and the biggest size of the individual combination of knee pads and garments.
The manufacturer shall provide the documents and data required for the testing.
5.4 Orientation of the knee pad
5.4.1 Vertical alignment
When a differentiation is necessary to indicate the vertical alignment, the marking below (Figure 1) shall
be used on the side facing the knee and pointing upwards.

Figure 1 — Graphical symbol –Indication for vertical alignment
5.4.2 Identification of left and right knee pad
When a differentiation is necessary to indicate the side of the body (left/right) the following marking
(Figure 2 and Figure 3) shall be used respectively for the left knee and for the right knee.
Figure 2 — Graphical symbol –Marking of left knee side at which the knee pad is to be worn

Figure 3 — Graphical symbol –Marking of right knee side at which the knee pad is to be worn
5.5 Specific requirements for knee pads and garments
5.5.1 Size and dimension
5.5.1.1 Size designation of the knee pad
Knee pads produced in size small (patella widths 44 mm to 54 mm) shall be marked with “S”.
Knee pads produced in size large (patella widths 55 mm to 64 mm) shall be marked with “L”.
If the manufacturer uses another size system, it shall be based on the knee girth (knee girth range for
which the knee pad has been designed, expressed in cm) and it has to be explained.
5.5.1.2 Size designation of garment
The size system used by the manufacturer shall be based on the waist girth and the inside leg length
(ranges for which the garment has been designed, expressed in cm) and expressed according to
EN ISO 8559-2:2020.
5.5.1.3 Dimension of protection zone
The zone of protection shall be identified by the manufacturer (information supplied by the
manufacturer).
The knee pocket shall be positioned so that the knee is within the defined zone of protection in the
kneeling working position when tested according to EN 14404-1:2024, 4.10.3.
NOTE Information of the knee protection pocket is given in Annex C.
In all cases, the area of the zone of protection shall comply with the dimensions specified in Table 2, when
determined as described in EN 14404-1:2024, 4.3.2.
The form of the possible zone of protection is shown in Figure 4.
In Annex A, the minimum protection zone of a small size and a large size are explained.
Table 2 — Dimensions of the
...