ISO 10333-1:2000

Personal fall-arrest systems - Part 1: Full-body harnesses

This part of ISO 10333 specifies the requirements, 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 will be specified in a future International Standard (see ISO 10333-6 in the Bibliography), such that if an arrest takes place, the arresting force will not exceed 6 kN. For the purposes of this part of ISO 10333, 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 ISO 10333 includes requirements for such attachment elements. This part of ISO 10333 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. The scope of this part of ISO 10333 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; 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. This part of ISO 10333 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 ISO 10333, but should comply with appropriate International Standards or, failing that, with 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.

Systèmes individuels d'arrêt de chute — Partie 1: Harnais complet

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Jun-2000
• ICS: 13.340.60 - Protection against falling and slipping
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 94/SC 4 - Personal equipment for protection against falls
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 94/SC 4 - Personal equipment for protection against falls
• Current Stage: 9060 - Close of review
• Completion Date: 04-Mar-2027

Relations

• Amended By: ISO 10333-1:2000/Amd 1:2002 - Personal fall-arrest systems - Part 1: Full-body harnesses - Amendment 1
• Effective Date: 06-Jun-2022
• Parent: ISO 10333-1:2000/Amd 1:2002 - Personal fall-arrest systems - Part 1: Full-body harnesses - Amendment 1
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2008

Overview

ISO 10333-1:2000 specifies requirements, test methods, marking, packaging, maintenance and user instructions for full-body harnesses (FBH) used in personal fall-arrest systems (PFAS). The standard’s primary objective is to ensure that, when used as part of a PFAS, a full-body harness limits fall-arrest forces to no more than 6 kN and provides effective support and post‑fall posture. ISO 10333-1 applies to single-person FBHs for users whose total mass does not exceed 100 kg (including tools and equipment).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and exclusions
  • Applies to FBHs intended for PFAS; excludes waist belts, chest harnesses and harnesses not designed primarily for PFAS.
  • Does not include special treatments for extreme environmental conditions (corrosion, heat, chemicals) - refer to other standards (e.g., ISO 9227).
• Classification of harnesses
  • Class A - Fall-arrest (mandatory)
  • Class D - Controlled descent/ascent (optional)
  • Class E - Confined-space access (optional)
  • Class L - Fall arrest for ladder climbing (optional)
  • Class P - Work-positioning (optional)
• Design and construction
  • FBH must distribute dynamic and suspension loads across the body, prevent strap migration, be inspectable, and allow sizing adjustment.
  • Attachment element locations are specified (e.g., back fall-arrest point between shoulder blades; front attachment for ladder climbing).
• Textile and hardware requirements
  • Primary straps (load-bearing) and secondary straps defined; webbing construction must use high-tenacity synthetic fibres with known breaking strength (referenced minimum performance in the standard).
  • Primary straps specified minimum width (e.g., 40 mm).
• Testing and conformity
  • Includes test methods to verify strength, performance and durability; recommends system-level testing per the broader ISO 10333 series.
• User information
  • Specifies marking, packaging, maintenance, inspection and user instructions to ensure safe use.

Applications

ISO 10333-1 is central to fall protection in industries where PFAS are required:

• Construction, roofing and scaffolding
• Telecommunications and utilities (tower and pole work)
• Rope access, industrial maintenance and window cleaning
• Confined-space entry and controlled descent operations (when appropriate attachment elements are fitted) Use of the standard helps ensure harnesses meet internationally accepted safety and performance expectations.

Who uses this standard

• PPE manufacturers and designers (harness specification and testing)
• Safety managers, procurement officers and compliance teams (product selection)
• Test laboratories and certification bodies (conformity assessment)
• Occupational health & safety professionals and trainers

Related standards

• ISO 10333 series (Parts 2–5: lanyards, energy absorbers, SRLs, rails/lines, connectors)
• Future/system tests: ISO 10333-6 (system performance)
• ISO 9227 (salt spray corrosion testing)
• ISO 9000 (quality management guidance)

Keywords: ISO 10333-1, full-body harnesses, personal fall-arrest systems, PFAS, fall protection, safety harness, test methods, harness requirements.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 10333-1
First edition
2000-07-01
Personal fall-arrest systems —
Part 1:
Full-body harnesses
Systèmes individuels d'arrêt de chute —
Partie 1: Harnais complet
Reference number
©
ISO 2000
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ii © ISO 2000 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword.iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope .1
2 Normative references .2
3 Terms and definitions .2
4 Requirements.5
5 Test methods.8
6 Instructions for general use, marking, packaging and maintenance .16
Bibliography .19
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO
member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical
committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has
the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in
liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard ISO 10333-1 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 94, Personal safety —
Protective clothing and equipment, Subcommittee SC 4, Personal equipment for protection against falls.
ISO 10333 consists of the following parts, under the general title Personal fall-arrest systems:
� Part 1: Full-body harnesses
� Part 2: Lanyards and energy absorbers
� Part 3: Self-retracting lifelines
� Part 4: Vertical rails and vertical lifelines which incorporate a sliding-type fall arrester
� Part 5: Connectors
The system performance tests will be the subject of a future part 6 to ISO 10333.
iv © ISO 2000 – All rights reserved

Introduction
In cases where the hazard of falling from a height exists and where, for technical reasons or for work of very short
duration, safe access cannot be otherwise provided, it is necessary to consider the use of personal fall-arrest
systems (PFAS). Such use should never be improvised and its adoption should be specifically provided for in the
appropriate formal provisions for safety in the work place.
PFAS complying with this part of ISO 10333 should satisfy ergonomic requirements and should only be used if the
work allows means of connection to a suitable anchor device of demonstrated strength and if it can be implemented
without compromising the safety of the user. Personnel should be trained and instructed in the safe use of the
equipment and be observant of such training and instruction.
This part of ISO 10333 is based on current knowledge and practice concerning the use of PFAS that incorporate a
full-body harness.
This part of ISO 10333 presumes that the manufacturer of the PFAS, subsystems or components will, for the sake
of consistency and traceability, operate a quality management system which will comply with national and regional
regulations in force at the time. Guidance on the form this quality management system may take can be found in
ISO 9000 (all parts), Quality management and quality assurance standards.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 10333-1:2000(E)
Personal fall-arrest systems —
Part 1:
Full-body harnesses
1 Scope
This part of ISO 10333 specifies the requirements, 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 will be
specified in a future International Standard (see ISO 10333-6 in the Bibliography), such that if an arrest takes place,
the arresting force will not exceed 6 kN.
For the purposes of this part of ISO 10333, 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 ISO 10333 includes requirements for such attachment elements.
This part of ISO 10333 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.
The scope of this part of ISO 10333 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;
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.
This part of ISO 10333 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 ISO 10333, but should comply with appropriate International Standards or, failing that, with 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 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of
this part of ISO 10333. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these publications
do not apply. However, parties to agreements based on this part of ISO 10333 are encouraged to investigate the
possibility of applying the most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. For undated
references, the latest edition of the normative document referred to applies. Members of ISO and IEC maintain
registers of currently valid International Standards.
ISO 9227:1990, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres — Salt spray tests.
)
ISO 10333-5:— , Personal fall-arrest systems — Part 5: Connectors.
World Medical Association Recommendations Guiding Physicians in Biomedical Research Involving Human
Subjects (Helsinki Declaration), adopted by the 18th World Medical Assembly, Helsinki, Finland, June 1964 and
amended by the 29th World Medical Assembly, Tokyo, Japan, October 1975, 35th World Medical Assembly,
Venice, Italy, October 1983, 41st World Medical Assembly, Hong Kong, September 1989 and the 48th General
Assembly, Somerset West, Republic of South Africa, October 1996.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this part of ISO 10333, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 Full-body harnesses
3.1.1
full-body harness
FBH
component of the body-holding device which connects a person into a personal fall-arrest system
SeeFigure1.
NOTE 1 The FBH may comprise straps, fittings, buckles or other elements suitably arranged and assembled to support the
body of a person and to restrain the wearer during a fall and after the arrest of a fall.
NOTE 2 The FBH may incorporate other fittings which permit its connection into other types of safety systems such as a
work-positioning system.
3.1.2
primary strap
strap of a full-body harness that is intended by the manufacturer to transmit load, and support the body or exert
pressure on the body during a fall of the person and after the arrest of a fall
3.1.3
secondary strap
strap from which the FBH is constructed, other than primary straps
3.1.4
fastening buckle
two-part fitting designed to facilitate the donning and doffing of a FBH
NOTE 1 The two parts can be coupled and uncoupled; each part is incorporated into mating straps, and when coupled
together forms a joint between the mating straps.
NOTE 2 A fastening buckle can be an adjusting buckle.
1) To be published.
2 © ISO 2000 – All rights reserved

3.1.5
adjusting buckle
fitting designed to facilitate the lengthening or shortening of FBH straps, to provide adjustment for different body
sizes and shapes
NOTE An adjusting buckle can be a fastening buckle.
3.1.6
fall-arrest attachment element
mandatory fitting designated as the point of attachment for the connection into a fall-arrest system
3.1.7
work-positioning attachment element
optional fitting exclusively designated as the point of attachment for the connection into a work-positioning system
3.1.8
controlled descent/ascent attachment element
optional fitting exclusively designated as the point of attachment for the connection into a controlled descent/ascent
system
3.1.9
confined-space access attachment element
optional fitting exclusively designated as the point of attachment for the connection into a confined-space access
system
3.1.10
collector plate
slotted plate which allows individual straps to intersect one another, and to be held in this position without being
joined
NOTE This also allows independent adjustment, i.e. one strap can be adjusted without affecting the other.
3.1.11
cleat
retainer which when fitted to straps is designed to gather excess strap length after the process of adjustment has
taken place
NOTE This prevents the nuisance and danger of flapping straps interfering with the worker’s task.
3.1.12
comfort pad
extra support fitted to any of the primary straps, which in effect locally increases the strap’s width and thickness
NOTE This reduces the pressure exerted on the body by the FBH when in normal or emergency use.
3.1.13
work-positioning back support
rigid or semi-rigid back support which can be incorporated into a FBH
3.1.14
tool loop
accessory, usually fitted integrally to the waist strap of a FBH used to attach tools temporarily to the harness while a
person is working
3.1.15
total mass
sum of the user’s mass plus all attached clothing and equipment
3.2 Systems
3.2.1
personal fall-arrest system
PFAS
system designed to arrest a fall from a height, to minimize the fall-arrest forces, to control the total fall distance in
order to prevent collision with the ground or other obstacle, and to maintain the fallen person in a suitable post-fall
attitude
3.2.2
work-positioning system
system that enables a person to work supported by personal protective equipment in tension in such a way that a
fall is prevented
3.2.3
controlled descent system
system whereby a worker can descend from one level to another, by rappelling (abseiling) or other method, whilst
suspended in an appropriate harness
3.2.4
confined-space access system
system used in a work situation where the worker has to enter into a narrow or confined space using a ladder or by
being suspended in a harness, and where emergency evacuation can only be carried out with the worker in a near
upright position
Key
1 Back 5 Shoulder straps
2 Front 6 Shoulder strap restrainer
3 Sub-pelvic strap 7 Buckles
4 Fall-arrest attachment 8 Thigh straps
Figure 1 — Example of a FBH
4 © ISO 2000 – All rights reserved

4 Requirements
4.1 General
To ensure that components assembled into a personal fall-arrest system perform correctly, it is recommended that
[1]
they be tested in accordance with ISO 10333-6 .
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.
4.2 Classification
4.2.1 Class identification
This part of ISO 10333 establishes a classification system that specifies the fall-arrest function be mandatory and
other functions be optional as follows:
a) all FBH shall be at least Class A for fall-arrest purposes;
b) where FBH have optional attachment elements they are classified as follows:
1) Class D for controlled descent/ascent purposes;
2) Class E for confined-space access purposes;
3) Class L for fall-arrest purposes whilst ladder climbing;
4) Class P for work-positioning purposes.
NOTE A FBH may be in more than one class.
4.2.2 Class A — Fall arrest
Class A FBH are designed to support the body during and after the arrest of a fall. They shall have at least one fall-
arrest attachment element, incorporated as to lie at the back of the wearer and centrally between the upper
shoulder blades.
4.2.3 Class D — Controlled descent/ascent
Class D FBH are those which meet the requirements for Class A FBH and which have additional attachment
elements that allow the user to connect into a controlled descent system. Class D FBH shall have the controlled
descent/ascent attachment elements incorporated in such locations as to enable the user to adopt an approximate
seated position whilst in suspension. Controlled descent/ascent attachment elements are not acceptable for
connecting into a PFAS.
4.2.4 Class E — Confined-space access
Class E FBH are those which meet the requirements for Class A FBH and which have additional attachment
elements that allow the user to connect into a confined-space access system. Class E FBH shall have a sliding
attachment element on each shoulder strap, to be used as a pair, i.e. not separately, so as to enable the user to
adopt a near upright position whilst in suspension. Confined-space access attachment elements are not acceptable
for connecting into a PFAS.
4.2.5 Class L — Fall arrest (ladder climbing)
Class L FBH are those which meet the requirements for Class A FBH, and which have an additional fall-arrest
attachment element that allows the user to connect into a fall-arrest system necessary for use when climbing. They
shall have at least one fall-arrest attachment element, incorporated as to lie at the front of the wearer and centrally
between the rib cages.
4.2.6 Class P — Work positioning
Class P FBH are those which meet the requirements for Class A FBH and which have additional attachment
elements that allow the user to connect into a work-positioning system. Class P FBH shall have at least two work-
positioning attachment elements incorporated as to lie at the waist level at both sides, to be used as a pair, i.e. not
separately. Work-positioning attachment elements are not acceptable for connecting into a PFAS.
4.3 Design and construction
4.3.1 General requirements
4.3.1.1 The purpose of the FBH is to contain the body and to suitably distribute the dynamic fall-arrest forces
and post fall-arrest suspension forces over the body. The FBH shall not create any supplementary risk and shall
offer an acceptable degree of comfort.
4.3.1.2 A FBH shall comprise an assembly of joined straps, disposed around the pelvic area, legs and
shoulders as shown in Figure 1. In addition a waist belt strap and/or a chest strap may be incorporated. A means of
adjustment shall be provided to enable the FBH to fit the wearer in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
4.3.1.3 The FBH shall be so designed so that when worn, the FBH straps shall be incapable of inadvertently
migrating or loosening from their original position or setting.
4.3.1.4 A FBH may be incorporated within a garment.
4.3.1.5 It shall be possible to carry out a visual inspection of the whole FBH, even if incorporated within a
garment.
4.3.2 Textile requirements
4.3.2.1 Webbing and yarns shall be made from virgin high tenacity filament, or from multi-filament synthetic
fibres suitable for the use intended. The breaking strength of the synthetic fibre shall be known to be at least
2)
0,5 N/tex .
4.3.2.2 Primary straps shall have a width of at least 40 mm and secondary straps shall have a width of at least
20 mm. It shall be visually confirmed during the static suspension tests specified in 5.8 which of the straps that
support the person are primary and which are secondary.
4.3.2.3 Sewing threads shall be physically compatible with and of a comparable quality to that of the webbing,
but shall be of a different colour from that of the webbing in order to facilitate visual inspection.
4.3.3 Requirements for fittings
4.3.3.1 All buckles, attachment points, collector plates, cleats, comfort pads, back support pads and tool loops
shall be smoothly finished and free from defects due to faulty material and manufacture; they shall not have sharp
or rough edges that may cut, abrade or otherwise damage webbing or cause injury to the user.
2) “tex” is defined as the fibre mass in grams per unit kilometre length of textile.
6 © ISO 2000 – All rights reserved

4.3.3.2 All adjustment buckles shall self-lock securely onto the FBH webbing material but shall not present
roughened surfaces or sharp edges that may abrade or otherwise damage the webbing material. Knurled bars are
permitted.
4.3.3.3 Fastening buckles shall not be capable of inadvertent uncoupling.
4.3.4 Additional requirements for attachment elements
4.3.4.1 All attachment elements made from loops of textile material shall be adequately protected against
abrasion, both inside and outside of the loop.
4.3.4.2 Depending upon FBH classification, attachment elements shall be incorporated into the FBH so as to
lie in the positions required in 4.2. Under this part of ISO 10333, side attachment points for connecting into work-
positioning systems are not accepted for fall-arrest use.
4.3.4.3 If a FBH is additionally equipped with work-positioning attachment points these shall comply with the
relevant standards.
4.3.4.4 The fall-arrest attachment element of a Class A FBH, incorporated as to lie at the back of the wearer
and centrally between the upper shoulder blades, shall be so designed as to not slide down the back of the torso
test mass during the inverted dynamic test described in 5.7.2.
4.4 Corrosion resistance
When tested in accordance with 5.2, all metallic fittings shall be free of red rust, as visible to the unaided eye, or
other evidence of corrosion of the base metal. Post-test presence of white scale is acceptable.
4.5 Buckle unco
...