ISO 10333-3:2000

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 10333-3
First edition
2000-04-15
Personal fall-arrest systems —
Part 3:
Self-retracting lifelines
Systèmes individuels d'arrêt de chute —
Partie 3: Cordes d'assurance autorétractantes
Reference number
ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
©
ISO 2000

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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
Contents
Foreword.iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope .1
2 Normative references .1
3 Terms and definitions .2
3.1 Self-retracting lifeline .2
3.2 General terms and definitions.4
4 Requirements.5
4.1 General.5
4.2 Lifeline .5
4.3 Design .6
4.4 Integral-rescue-facility design.8
5 Apparatus .9
6 Test methods.11
6.1 Corrosion resistance.11
6.2 Locking tests after conditioning .11
6.3 Locking reliability test.12
6.4 Retraction test.12
6.5 Dynamic performance test at full lifeline extraction .12
6.6 Dynamic performance .13
6.7 Static strength.13
6.8 Lifting test for SRL with lift only integral-rescue facility.14
6.9 Lowering and lifting test for SRL with lift and lower integral-rescue facility .15
6.10 Static strength test (rescue facility engaged).15
7 Instructions for general use, maintenance, marking and packaging.16
7.1 Instructions for general use and maintenance.16
7.2 Marking .17
7.3 Packaging.17
Bibliography.18
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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
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 part of ISO 10333 may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard ISO 10333-3 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.
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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
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 as specified in ISO 10333-1.
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.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
Personal fall-arrest systems —
Part 3:
Self-retracting lifelines
1 Scope
This part of 10333 specifies requirements, test methods, instructions for use and maintenance, marking, labelling and
packaging, as appropriate, for self-retracting lifelines, including self-retracting lifelines that have an integral-rescue
facility.
Self-retracting lifelines are used as a connecting sub-system in personal fall-arrest systems (PFAS), which will be
specified in a future International Standard (see ISO 10333-6 in the Bibliography), and are attached to anchor devices
that are above the work place.
This part of 10333 is applicable only to self-retracting lifelines limited to single-person use of a total mass not exceeding
100 kg.
NOTE Users of PFAS whose total mass (which includes attached tools and equipment) exceeds 100 kg are advised to
seek advice from the equipment manufacturers regarding the suitability of the equipment, which may need additional testing to
take into account the larger mass.
This part of 10333 does not specify those additional requirements that would apply when self-retracting lifelines 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 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.
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 1140:1990, Ropes — Polyamide — Specification.
ISO 1141:1990, Ropes — Polyester — Specification.
ISO 1834:1999, Short link chain for lifting purposes — General conditions of acceptance.
ISO 1835:1980, Short link chain for lifting purposes — Grade M (4), non-calibrated, for chain slings etc.
ISO 2307:1990, Ropes — Determination of certain physical and mechanical properties.
ISO 3108:1974, Steel wire ropes for general purposes — Determination of actual breaking load.
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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
ISO 4878:1981, Textiles — Flat woven webbing slings made of man-made fibre.
ISO 9227:1990, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres — Salt spray tests.
1)
ISO 10333-1:— , Personal fall-arrest systems — Part 1: Full-body harnesses.
ISO 10333-5, Personal fall-arrest systems — Part 5: Connectors.
ISO 14567:1999, Personal protective equipment for protection against falls from a height — Single-point anchor
devices.
EN 892:1996, Mountaineering equipment — Dynamic mountaineering ropes — Safety requirements and test
methods.
EN 1891:1998, Personal protective equipment for prevention of falls from a height — Low stretch kernmantel
ropes.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this part of ISO 10333, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 Self-retracting lifeline
3.1.1
self-retracting lifeline
SRL
connecting subsystem which is anchored above the work place, incorporating a tensioned lifeline, which is extracted
and automatically retracted in response to the normal movements of a worker, and a braking means which
automatically locks and holds the lifeline in response to the sudden motion of a fall, in a similar fashion to the operation
of a motor car inertia reel seat belt
SeeFigure1.
3.1.2
integral-rescue facility
mechanism which is completely integral to the SRL and cannot be removed without dismantling the SRL
NOTE It can be used by a rescuer to recover a worker who, being connected to the SRL, is in post fall-arrest suspension,
or has become incapacitated. This may involve the rescuer raising or lowering the worker as appropriate.
3.1.3
energy absorbers integral to the lifeline
component designed to dissipate the kinetic energy generated during a fall, which limits the arresting forces applied
to the SRL, anchor device and faller, the mechanism of which is completely integral to the lifeline and cannot be
removed without mutilating the product
3.1.4
fall indicator
mechanism which gives visual confirmation to a user whether or not the self-retracting lifeline has been subjected
toafallarrest
3.1.5
maximum working length
maximum length of extracted lifeline available, when measured from the lifeline connector to the self-retracting
lifeline housing anchor attachment point
SeeFigure2.
1) To be published.
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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
3.1.6
swivel connector
connector in accordance with ISO 10333-5, with a swivel facility to allow the connector to rotate about its major axis
3.1.7
post fall-arrest suspension
state in which, after having been brought to a complete stop by a fall-arresting means, the faller remains
suspended in the full-body harness
3.1.8
total mass
total sum of the worker’s mass plus all attached clothing and equipment
3.1.9
minimum locking test mass
smallest mass, which when attached to the external termination of a fully retracted SRL and then released, will
cause the internal locking mechanism of the SRL to engage and to stay engaged
3.1.10
displacement “H”
during the dynamic performance test, the total fall distance of the 100 kg test mass, measured from the attachment
point of the mass at its pre-release position to its post-arrest equilibrium position
a) SRL without integral-rescue facility b) SRLwithintegral-rescue facility
Figure 1 — Examples of self-retracting lifelines
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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
L = maximum working length
w,max
Key
1 Housing anchor attachment point
2 Lifeline (fully extracted)
3 Lifeline connector
Figure 2 — Self-retracting lifeline
3.2 General terms and definitions
3.2.1
personal fall-arrest system
PFAS
assembly of interconnected components and subsystems, including a full-body harness worn by the user, that when
connected to a suitable anchor device will arrest a fall from a height
NOTE A PFAS minimizes the fall-arrest forces, controls the total fall distance as to prevent collision with the ground or
other relevant obstruction, and maintains the faller in a suitable post-fall-arrest attitude for rescue purposes.
3.2.2
component
constituent part of a PFAS or subsystem that has completed the manufacturer’s production cycle and is available for
purchase
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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
3.2.3
subsystem
constituent part of a PFAS which may consist of one or more components, and is used to connect the user from the
fall-arrest attachment element of the full-body harness to the anchor device and performs the two essential functions of
a PFAS as follows:
a) connecting;
b) arresting and energy absorbing
4 Requirements
4.1 General
To ensure that components assembled into a PFAS perform correctly it is recommended that they be tested in
[1]
accordance with ISO 10333-6.
4.2 Lifeline
4.2.1 Fibre ropes and webbing
4.2.1.1 Fibre ropes, webbing and sewing threads for lifelines shall be made from virgin high-tenacity filament
or multi-filament synthetic fibre or fibres suitable for the intended use.
4.2.1.2 The number of strands of a laid lifeline shall be at least three. Three-strand polyamide lifelines shall
comply with ISO 1140 and three-strand polyester lifelines shall comply with ISO 1141.
4.2.1.3 Lifelines constructed from braided rope shall comply with EN 892 (single rope) or EN 1891, type A.
Any equivalent material is acceptable.
4.2.1.4 Where lifelines are specified for, or when it is known that lifelines will be used in work carried out near
welding or oxy-cutting stations, or heat sources, they shall be protected by suitable heat-protective means.
4.2.1.5 The minimum breaking force of fibre rope or webbing material used in the construction of lifelines shall
be 22 kN.
4.2.2 Wire ropes
The minimum diameter of wire rope material used in the construction of lifelines shall be 5 mm with a minimum
breaking force of 15 kN.
4.2.3 Terminations
4.2.3.1 The end of the lifeline which is intended for connection to the user’s full-body harness shall be
terminated with a swivel connector which complies with ISO 10333-5.
4.2.3.2 Eye splices in laid fibre rope shall consist of four tucks using all the yarns in the strands and two
tapered tucks. The length of the splicing tails emerging after the last tuck shall be at least one rope diameter. Tails
shall be whipped to the rope and protected with a rubber or plastic sleeve, or otherwise integrally finished to
prevent the termination or splice from unravelling. Sealing compounds used shall be compatible with the rope
material. Eyes shall be formed around a plastic or metal thimble of size and strength in accordance with rope
manufacturer’s recommendations.
4.2.3.3 Stitched eye terminations on webbing lifelines shall be sewn using lock stitching. Thread shall be
compatible with the webbing material and shall be a contrasting colour to facilitate inspection. Reinforcement or
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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
another method shall be used to protect terminations from concentrated wear at all webbing-to-metal fitting
interfaces. Webbing ends shall be seared or otherwise prevented from unravelling.
4.2.3.4 Eye terminations of wire rope lifelines shall be manufactured either with
a) a spliced eye with one compression swage with thimble, or
b) a return eye with a minimum of two compression swages with thimble.
4.2.3.5 Selection of swage fitting, size, material type, compression die size/pressure, position of swage(s) on
rope, and thimble size, shall be carried out in accordance with the rope manufacturer’s recommendations. In
particular, aluminium swages are recommended for steel wire ropes and copper swages for stainless-steel wire
ropes.
4.2.3.6 Wire rope ends shall be brazed, whipped or have an equivalent finish to prevent unravelling. Brazing
should be carried out prior to forming the eye.
4.2.3.7 Knots shall not be used to form lifeline terminations.
4.2.3.8 The internal termination of the lifeline to the lifeline drum or other shall be such that:
a) the lifeline cannot be separated from the drum in normal use, especially when the lifeline is at the maximum
working length;
b) the connection between the lifeline drum or other can withstand the tensile strength requirements specified in
4.3.8.
4.2.4 Energy absorbers integral to the lifeline
Lifelines may be so constructed as to include an integral energy absorber as the sole means of kinetic (fall) energy
dissipation in the SRL, which remains external to the SRL when the lifeline is fully retracted. Such materials and
mechanisms where utilized in the SRL design shall be protected from external contaminants, sharp objects and
adverse climate by the fitting of a protective cover.
4.3 Design
4.3.1 General
4.3.1.1 The design of working parts, their location and the protection afforded to them shall be such as to
prevent the possibility of performance being impaired by casual interference.
4.3.1.2 The SRL design shall be smoothly finished and free from defects due to faulty material and
manufacture; there shall be no sharp or rough edges that may cut, abrade or otherwise damage the lifeline material
or cause injury to the user.
4.3.1.3 The SRL shall incorporate an automatic locking feature which is capable of preventing further
accelerated lifeline extraction during a fall by engaging some means of braking device. The design shall be such so
that it shall not be possible to override the automatic locking feature when in use.
4.3.1.4 The SRL shall have a suitable means of attachment on the upper portion of the SRL housing for
connection to the intended anchor device.
4.3.1.5 The SRL shall have a suitable means of retraction incorporated to ensure the full unassisted and
automatic retraction of the lifeline with the mass of the lifeline being solely supported by the SRL housing.
4.3.1.6 The surfaces in contact with the lifeline, at the position where the lifeline exits the SRL housing, shall
be radiused and free from sharp edges likely to cause undue lifeline wear.
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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
4.3.2 Corrosion resistance
4.3.2.1 When tested in accordance with 6.1, all metal materials shall be free from red rust, as visible to the
unaided eye, or other evidence of corrosion of the base metal. Post-test presence of white scale or tarnishing is
acceptable.
4.3.2.2 When the SRL is dismantled, the internal parts, in particular the automatic locking mechanism, shall
not show signs of corrosion that can affect the functioning of the SRL.
4.3.3 Locking performance after conditioning
4.3.3.1 The SRL shall be heat-conditioned in accordance with 6.2.3, after which it shall lock without
subsequent slippage, and shall be capable of being unlocked when tested in accordance with 6.2.8.
4.3.3.2 The SRL shall be cold-conditioned in accordance with 6.2.4, after which it shall lock without
subsequent slippage, and shall be capable of being unlocked when tested in accordance with 6.2.8.
4.3.3.3 The SRL shall be wet-spray-conditioned in accordance with 6.2.5, after which it shall lock without
subsequent slippage, and shall be capable of being unlocked when tested in accordance with 6.2.8.
4.3.3.4 The SRL shall be dust-conditioned in accordance with 6.2.6, after which it shall lock without
subsequent slippage, and shall be capable of being unlocked when tested in accordance with 6.2.8.
4.3.3.5 The SRL shall be oil-conditioned in accordance with 6.2.7, after which it shall lock without subsequent
slippage, and shall be capable of being unlocked when tested in accordance with 6.2.8.
4.3.4 Locking reliability
When tested in accordance with 6.3, the SRL shall lock without subsequent slippage in each of 1 000 operations.
4.3.5 Retraction capability
When tested in accordance with 6.4, the SRL shall be capable of retracting the full length and mass of the lifeline
without sticking or jamming in each of 25 operations.
4.3.6 Dynamic performance with the lifeline at full extraction
4.3.6.1 When tested in accordance with 6.5, the SRL shall lock and limit the arrest force to a maximum of
6,0 kN. During the test, the SRL shall function correctly prior to its locking. The SRL shall retain the test mass clear of
the ground, and, with the exception of energy dissipating devices, without fracturing or rupture of any element in
the load-bearing path.
NOTE The purpose of this requirement is to assess if the SRL can maintain a safe-arrest performance at full extraction.
4.3.6.2 If the SRL has a fall-indicating device, it shall operate in accordance with the manufacturer’s technical
data.
4.3.7 Dynamic performance
4.3.7.1 When tested in accordance with 6.6, the SRL shall lock and limit the arrest force to a maximum of
6,0 kN. The displacement H shall not exceed 2,0 m. During the test, the SRL shall function correctly prior to its
locking. The SRL shall retain the test mass clear of the ground, and, with the exception of energy-dissipating
devices, without fracturing or rupture of any element in the load-bearing path.
4.3.7.2 If the SRL has a fall-indicating device, it shall operate in accordance with the manufacturer’s technical
data.
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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
4.3.8 Static strength
When tested in accordance with 6.7 the SRL shall sustain a force as specified in Table 1 and, with the exception of
energy dissipating devices, without tearing or rupture of any external or internal element.
Table 1 — Force requirements for static strength
Maximum force
Component
kN
SRL with webbing-based lifeline 15
SRL with fibre-rope-based lifeline 15
SRL with wire-rope-based lifeline 12
NOTE The higher strength requirement for textile materials is
necessary as these materials are more prone to wear and are more
vulnerable to damage than their metallic counterparts.
4.3.9 SRL-tripod installations
Where according to the manufacturer’s claims and information a SRL is permitted for use with a tripod, the SRL
shall meet the requirements as specified for SRL-tripod combinations in ISO 14567.
4.4 Integral-rescue-facility design
4.4.1 General
4.4.1.1 The requirements of 4.4 apply to SRLs that have an integral-rescue feature.
4.4.1.2 SRLs with an integral-rescue facility shall meet the requirements specified in 4.2 and 4.3. An integral-
rescue facility can be so designed as to permit lifting only, or both lifting and lowering.
4.4.1.3 SRLs with an integral-rescue facility shall have a controlling means, which when so engaged will
permit the lifting or lifting and lowering of a worker connected to the lifeline, by a second independent person.
When disengaged, the controlling means shall not interfere with the extraction, retraction, locking and arrest
functioning of the SRL.
4.4.2 Engagement of rescue facility
4.4.2.1 The design, arrangement and stowage of the controlling means shall be such as to prevent the
possibility of inadvertent engagement of the rescue facility.
4.4.2.2 When operated in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions, the time required to engage the rescue
facility shall not exceed 20 s.
4.4.3 Lifting and lowering
When tested in accordance with 6.8 the lifting, or when tested in accordance with 6.9 the lifting and lowering of the
test masses shall be possible without lifeline restriction, slippage and inadvertent disengagement of the rescue
facility. When the controlling means is released, the test mass shall come to a halt immediately and within a
stopping distance of 50 mm.
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ISO 10333-3:2000(E)
4.4.4 Static strength (rescue facility engaged)
When tested in accordance with 6.10 the SRL shall sustain a force as described in Table 1 without tearing or rupture of
any external or internal element. The test force shall be sustained for at least 5 min.
NOTE This requirement is based on the scope of this part of ISO 10333 which specifies single person use of a total mass
not exceeding 100 kg.
5 Apparatus
5.1 Test structure, comprising a rigid anchor structure so constructed that its natural frequency of vibration in
the vertical axis at the anchor point is not less than 100 Hz and so that the application of a force of 20 kN on the
anchor point does not cause a deflection greater than 1 mm.
The rigid anchor point should be a ring of (20� 1) mm bore and (15� 1) mm diameter cross-section, or a rod of the
same diameter cross-section.
The rigid anchor point shall be at such a height to prevent the test mass from striking the floor during dynamic
testing.
5.2 Static-strength test apparatus, comprising a test frame, winch or hydraulic puller and indicator, with
sufficient traverse to load the components for test.
5.3 Quick-release device, compatible with the eyebolt of the test mass or connectors, which ensures the
release of the test mass without initial velocity.
5.4 Force-measuring instrumentation, capable of measuring forces from 1,2 kN to 20 kN with a
...