Posted By C.J.
I am seeking advice from any fall arrest buff's out there.

A potential issue has arisen where i work where we have persons 140+kg, including equipment, using standard fall arrest harnesses tested to EN 361. i.e tested with a 100kg dummy.
It has come to our attention that the harness manufacturers recommend that users are below 130kg in weight because of this.

I am of the opinion that if the harness would fail it would be during a fall. The harness are tested to 22kn so the weight issue isn't a problem as long as the appropriate length lanyard is used in conjunction with it to ensure that the force during a fall doesn't exceed 6kn.

Do anyone think the weight of the user an issue?

If so is there any specialist harnesses for heavy users around? and where could i find some?

We can't be the only company with this issue and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Posted By Edward H
Harnesses, lanyards etc. are components in a fall arrest system. Every part of the system from the underlying structure, anchor point attached to the structure, karabiners for attaching to the anchor point, lanyards [inc inerta reel lanyards], energy absorbers and harnesses will have to be capable of both withstanding the overload AND working correctly under that load.

Then there is the need for rescue, can both the rescuers and the rescue equipment cope with the additional load?

You will need assurances [probably from the manufacturers] that every component used in the fall arrest [and/or rescue] system is OK for the weight imposed. It really is a lot more complex that just sourcing a harness that fits.

If its any consolation, there can also be problems, particularly with energy absorbers, if the wearer is a real light weight!

Posted By Dave Merchant
Edward is correct - it's the other elements in the chain which matter.

The harness itself won't fail at 140kg (though it's still illegal to use it in a workplace unless the manufacturer specifically grants permission for that weight range). The energy absorber on your lanyard is another matter - it could bottom out, resulting in failure or injury to the user, and could overload the anchor point.

At the moment I know of no CE-marked lanyards "certified" for 140kg bodyweights, as to operate safely with that load would make it almost impossible to pass the EN355 test sequence. Elsewhere in the world (USA, etc) we can buy weight-graded energy absorbers, but in Europe at the moment it's strictly one-size-fits-all, redefining the word "all" to mean "80 to 100kg bodyweight". You may get a manufacturer prepared to go as high as 136kg (the CE test weight for some other standards) if you're really lucky, but you'd need it in writing, and your anchor points will probably need 2-person rating.

There's a BS in draft (8513) which would allow heavy-user lanyards specific for the UK market, but it's unlikely to be adopted by manufacturers. The end result, I'm afraid, is that some people can't do work at height until they lose weight. It's not discrimination to say "PPE to fit you isn't available".

Posted By Dave Merchant
If the lanyard manufacturer is able to state on the record that a 140kg FF1 fall will remain within the 6kN limit, then the anchor point will be OK as normal. You will still need agreement from the harness manufacturer, and you'll have to make sure whatever rescue devices you use are capable of lifting the weight (with or without the rescuer, if that's how they're used).