Appendix D to Subpart I of Part 1910 - Test Methods and Procedures for Personal Fall Protection Systems Non-Mandatory Guidelines
29:5.1.1.1.8.9.34.10.7 : Appendix D
Appendix D to Subpart I of Part 1910 - Test Methods and Procedures
for Personal Fall Protection Systems Non-Mandatory Guidelines
This appendix contains test methods for personal fall protection
systems which may be used to determine if they meet the system
performance criteria specified in paragraphs (d) and (e) of §
1910.140.
Test methods for personal fall arrest systems (paragraph (d) of
§ 1910.140).
(a) General. The following sets forth test procedures for
personal fall arrest systems as defined in paragraph (d) of §
1910.140.
(b) General test conditions.
(1) Lifelines, lanyards and deceleration devices should be
attached to an anchorage and connected to the body harness in the
same manner as they would be when used to protect employees.
(2) The fixed anchorage should be rigid, and should not have a
deflection greater than 0.04 inches (1 mm) when a force of 2,250
pounds (10 kN) is applied.
(3) The frequency response of the load measuring instrumentation
should be 120 Hz.
(4) The test weight used in the strength and force tests should
be a rigid, metal cylindrical or torso-shaped object with a girth
of 38 inches plus or minus 4 inches (96 cm plus or minus 10
cm).
(5) The lanyard or lifeline used to create the free fall
distance should be supplied with the system, or in its absence, the
least elastic lanyard or lifeline available should be used with the
system.
(6) The test weight for each test should be hoisted to the
required level and should be quickly released without having any
appreciable motion imparted to it.
(7) The system's performance should be evaluated, taking into
account the range of environmental conditions for which it is
designed to be used.
(8) Following the test, the system need not be capable of
further operation.
(c) Strength test.
(1) During the testing of all systems, a test weight of 300
pounds plus or minus 3 pounds (136.4 kg plus or minus 1.4 kg)
should be used. (See paragraph (b)(4) of this appendix.)
(2) The test consists of dropping the test weight once. A new
unused system should be used for each test.
(3) For lanyard systems, the lanyard length should be 6 feet
plus or minus 2 inches (1.83 m plus or minus 5 cm) as measured from
the fixed anchorage to the attachment on the body harness.
(4) For rope-grab-type deceleration systems, the length of the
lifeline above the centerline of the grabbing mechanism to the
lifeline's anchorage point should not exceed 2 feet (0.61 m).
(5) For lanyard systems, for systems with deceleration devices
which do not automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet (0.61
m) or less, and for systems with deceleration devices which have a
connection distance in excess of 1 foot (0.3 m) (measured between
the centerline of the lifeline and the attachment point to the body
harness), the test weight should be rigged to free fall a distance
of 7.5 feet (2.3 m) from a point that is 1.5 feet (46 cm) above the
anchorage point, to its hanging location (6 feet (1.83 m) below the
anchorage). The test weight should fall without interference,
obstruction, or hitting the floor or ground during the test. In
some cases a non-elastic wire lanyard of sufficient length may need
to be added to the system (for test purposes) to create the
necessary free fall distance.
(6) For deceleration device systems with integral lifelines or
lanyards that automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet
(0.61 m) or less, the test weight should be rigged to free fall a
distance of 4 feet (1.22 m).
(7) Any weight that detaches from the harness should constitute
failure for the strength test.
(d) Force test.
(1) General. The test consists of dropping the respective test
weight specified in paragraph (d)(2)(i) or (d)(3)(i) of this
appendix once. A new, unused system should be used for each
test.
(2) For lanyard systems. (i) A test weight of 220 pounds plus or
minus three pounds (100 kg plus or minus 1.6 kg) should be used.
(See paragraph (b)(4) of this appendix.)
(ii) Lanyard length should be 6 feet plus or minus 2 inches
(1.83 m plus or minus 5 cm) as measured from the fixed anchorage to
the attachment on the body harness.
(iii) The test weight should fall free from the anchorage level
to its hanging location (a total of 6 feet (1.83 m) free fall
distance) without interference, obstruction, or hitting the floor
or ground during the test.
(3) For all other systems. (i) A test weight of 220 pounds plus
or minus 2 pounds (100 kg plus or minus 1.0 kg) should be used.
(See paragraph (b)(4) of this appendix.)
(ii) The free fall distance to be used in the test should be the
maximum fall distance physically permitted by the system during
normal use conditions, up to a maximum free fall distance for the
test weight of 6 feet (1.83 m), except as follows:
(A) For deceleration systems having a connection link or
lanyard, the test weight should free fall a distance equal to the
connection distance (measured between the centerline of the
lifeline and the attachment point to the body harness).
(B) For deceleration device systems with integral lifelines or
lanyards that automatically limit free fall distance to 2 feet
(0.61 m) or less, the test weight should free fall a distance equal
to that permitted by the system in normal use. (For example, to
test a system with a self-retracting lifeline or lanyard, the test
weight should be supported and the system allowed to retract the
lifeline or lanyard as it would in normal use. The test weight
would then be released and the force and deceleration distance
measured).
(4) Failure. A system fails the force test when the recorded
maximum arresting force exceeds 2,520 pounds (11.2 kN) when using a
body harness.
(5) Distances. The maximum elongation and deceleration distance
should be recorded during the force test.
(e) Deceleration device tests.
(1) General. The device should be evaluated or tested under the
environmental conditions (such as rain, ice, grease, dirt, and type
of lifeline) for which the device is designed.
(2) Rope-grab-type deceleration devices. (i) Devices should be
moved on a lifeline 1,000 times over the same length of line a
distance of not less than 1 foot (30.5 cm), and the mechanism
should lock each time.
(ii) Unless the device is permanently marked to indicate the
type of lifelines that must be used, several types (different
diameters and different materials), of lifelines should be used to
test the device.
(3) Other self-activating-type deceleration devices. The locking
mechanisms of other self-activating-type deceleration devices
designed for more than one arrest should lock each of 1,000 times
as they would in normal service.
Test methods for positioning systems (paragraph (e) of §
1910.140).
(a) General. The following sets forth test procedures for
positioning systems as defined in paragraph (e) of § 1910.140. The
requirements in this appendix for personal fall arrest systems set
forth procedures that may be used, along with the procedures listed
below, to determine compliance with the requirements for
positioning systems.
(b) Test conditions.
(1) The fixed anchorage should be rigid and should not have a
deflection greater than 0.04 inches (1 mm) when a force of 2,250
pounds (10 kN) is applied.
(2) For window cleaners' belts, the complete belt should
withstand a drop test consisting of a 250 pound (113 kg) weight
falling free for a distance of 6 feet (1.83 m). The weight should
be a rigid object with a girth of 38 inches plus or minus 4 inches
(96 cm plus or minus 10 cm). The weight should be placed in the
waistband with the belt buckle drawn firmly against the weight, as
when the belt is worn by a window cleaner. One belt terminal should
be attached to a rigid anchor and the other terminal should hang
free. The terminals should be adjusted to their maximum span. The
weight fastened in the freely suspended belt should then be lifted
exactly 6 feet (1.83 m) above its “at rest” position and released
so as to permit a free fall of 6 feet (1.83 m) vertically below the
point of attachment of the terminal anchor. The belt system should
be equipped with devices and instrumentation capable of measuring
the duration and magnitude of the arrest forces. Failure of the
test should consist of any breakage or slippage sufficient to
permit the weight to fall free of the system. In addition, the
initial and subsequent arresting forces should be measured and
should not exceed 2,000 pounds (8.5 kN) for more than 2
milliseconds for the initial impact, or exceed 1,000 pounds (4.5
kN) for the remainder of the arrest time.
(3) All other positioning systems (except for restraint line
systems) should withstand a drop test consisting of a 250 pound
(113 kg) weight free falling a distance of 4 feet (1.2 m). The
weight must be a rigid object with a girth of 38 inches plus or
minus 4 inches (96 cm plus or minus 10 cm). The body belt or
harness should be affixed to the test weight as it would be to an
employee. The system should be connected to the rigid anchor in the
manner that the system would be connected in normal use. The weight
should be lifted exactly 4 feet (1.2 m) above its “at rest”
position and released so as to permit a vertical free fall of 4
feet (1.2 m). Failure of the system should be indicated by any
breakage or slippage sufficient to permit the weight to fall free
to the ground.
[81 FR 83002, Nov. 18, 2016]
Appendix D to Subpart L of Part 1910 - Availability of Publications Incorporated by Reference in Section 1910.156 Fire Brigades
29:5.1.1.1.8.12.37.12.12 : Appendix D
Appendix D to Subpart L of Part 1910 - Availability of Publications
Incorporated by Reference in Section 1910.156 Fire Brigades
The final standard for fire brigades, section 1910.156, contains
provisions which incorporate certain publications by reference. The
publications provide criteria and test methods for protective
clothing worn by those fire brigade members who are expected to
perform interior structural fire fighting. The standard references
the publications as the chief sources of information for
determining if the protective clothing affords the required level
of protection.
It is appropriate to note that the final standard does not
require employers to purchase a copy of the referenced
publications. Instead, employers can specify (in purchase orders to
the manufacturers) that the protective clothing meet the criteria
and test methods contained in the referenced publications and can
rely on the manufacturers' assurances of compliance. Employers,
however, may desire to obtain a copy of the referenced publications
for their own information.
The paragraph designation of the standard where the referenced
publications appear, the title of the publications, and the
availablity of the publications are as follows:
Paragraph designation |
Referenced publication |
Available from |
1910.156(e)(3)(ii) |
“Protective Clothing for
Structural Fire Fighting,” NFPA No. 1971 (1975) |
National Fire Protection
Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. |
1910.156(e)(4)(i) |
“Development of Criteria for
Fire Fighter's Gloves; Vol. II, Part II: Test Methods” (1976) |
U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Stock No. for Vol. II is:
071-033-0201-1. |
1910.156(e)(5)(i) |
“Model Performance Criteria
for Structural Firefighter's Helmets” (1977) |
U.S. Fire Administration,
National Fire Safety and Research Office, Washington, D.C.
20230. |
The referenced publications (or a microfiche of the
publications) are available for review at many universities and
public libraries throughout the country. These publications may
also be examined at the OSHA Technical Data Center, Room
N2439-Rear, United States Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210 (202-219-7500), or at any OSHA
Regional Office (see telephone directories under United States
Government-Labor Department).
[45 FR 60715, Sept. 12, 1980, as amended at 58 FR 33509, June 30,
1993; 61 FR 9239, Mar. 7, 1996]