What Is EN 355? Energy-Absorbing Lanyard Standard and Safe Use
What Is EN 355?
Falls from height can pose a serious risk of injury or death to workers. For this reason, using personal protective equipment (PPE) that complies with applicable safety standards is essential when working at height. Energy-absorbing lanyards, one of the important components of personal fall arrest systems, are designed and tested according to the requirements of EN 355.
EN 355 is a European standard that specifies requirements for energy absorbers used in personal fall protection systems. These devices are designed to reduce the forces generated during a fall and limit the impact forces transmitted to the user.
The purpose of an energy absorber is to help reduce the severity of a fall by dissipating energy in a controlled manner when the fall arrest system is activated.
Purpose of the EN 355 Standard
When a person falls while working at height, significant forces can be generated as the fall is arrested. If these forces are transmitted directly to the user's body, they can result in serious injury.
Energy absorbers designed in accordance with EN 355 are intended to:
- Reduce the forces generated during fall arrest.
- Limit the impact force transmitted to the user's body.
- Contribute to the safe operation of a personal fall arrest system.
- Help reduce the severity of the forces acting on the user during a fall.
An energy absorber is therefore an important component when designing a suitable fall arrest system.
What Is an EN 355 Energy-Absorbing Lanyard?
An energy-absorbing lanyard is a fall protection connecting system incorporating an energy absorber designed to dissipate energy in a controlled manner when a fall occurs.
Depending on the product design, an energy-absorbing lanyard may consist of:
- Energy absorber
- Single-leg or twin-leg lanyard
- Connectors
- Harness connection
- Anchorage connection
The complete system is designed to connect the user's full body harness to a suitable anchorage point or anchorage system.
Energy-absorbing lanyards are available in different configurations depending on the application. The product must always be used according to the manufacturer's instructions and within its specified limitations.
Which Standards Are Used Together with EN 355?
EN 355 describes requirements for energy absorbers, but an energy-absorbing lanyard should not be considered a complete fall protection system by itself.
Depending on the application, other standards and equipment may be relevant, including:
- EN 361: Full body safety harnesses
- EN 362: Connectors
- EN 795: Anchor devices
- EN 354: Lanyards
- EN 360: Self-retracting fall arresters
The correct combination of equipment is essential for creating a suitable personal fall protection system.
Each component must be compatible with the others and used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Where Is EN 355 Used?
Energy-absorbing lanyards designed according to EN 355 are used in many industries where workers are exposed to fall hazards.
Common applications include:
- Construction
- Roof work
- Scaffolding installation
- Industrial maintenance
- Power transmission line work
- Telecommunications infrastructure
- Wind turbines
- Solar power plants
- Ports and shipyards
- Steel construction
- Factory maintenance
- Warehouse racking installation and maintenance
Energy-absorbing lanyards are particularly useful when workers need to move around a work area while remaining connected to a suitable fall protection system.
How Does an Energy-Absorbing Lanyard Work?
When a fall occurs, the energy absorber is designed to deploy in a controlled manner and dissipate part of the energy generated during the fall.
This helps to:
- Reduce the forces generated during fall arrest.
- Limit the load transmitted through the fall protection system.
- Reduce the forces acting on the user's body.
- Help reduce the potential severity of fall-related injuries.
The energy absorber is a critical part of the system because stopping a fall too abruptly can generate significant forces.
It is also important to consider fall clearance when selecting and using an energy-absorbing lanyard. The available clearance below the worker must be sufficient for the system to function as intended.
What Should You Consider When Choosing an EN 355 Energy-Absorbing Lanyard?
Selecting the correct energy-absorbing lanyard is an important part of fall protection planning.
Standard Compliance
The product should comply with the applicable requirements of EN 355, and the manufacturer's technical documentation and product markings should be checked.
Intended Application
Single-leg and twin-leg configurations may be selected according to the nature of the work and the required connection method.
A twin-leg lanyard may be useful in applications where continuous connection is required during movement between anchorage points, provided it is specifically designed and used for that purpose.
Connectors
The connectors used with the lanyard should be suitable for the intended application and compatible with the harness and anchorage system.
Connectors should have an appropriate locking mechanism and should be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
User Weight and Product Limitations
The manufacturer's specified user weight range and all product limitations must be respected.
Additional factors such as tools, clothing, and other equipment may also need to be considered when determining the total system load.
Anchorage System
The lanyard must be connected to a suitable and compatible anchorage point or anchorage system.
The location and strength of the anchorage, the direction of loading, and the available fall clearance should all be considered as part of the overall fall protection assessment.
What Should Be Considered When Using EN 355 Equipment?
The following safety practices should be followed when using energy-absorbing lanyards:
- Inspect the equipment before every use.
- Do not reuse a product if its energy absorber has deployed.
- Do not use lanyards with cut, torn, heavily worn, or damaged webbing.
- Inspect equipment that has been exposed to chemicals or other potentially damaging substances.
- Ensure that the anchorage point is suitable for the intended application.
- Check that all connectors are properly closed and locked.
- Ensure sufficient fall clearance is available.
- Avoid improper loading or contact with sharp edges unless the product is specifically designed for such conditions.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions at all times.
- Remove equipment from service if its safety or integrity is in doubt.
Why Are Periodic Inspections Important?
Energy-absorbing lanyards should be inspected regularly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and applicable requirements.
During an inspection, particular attention should be given to:
- Webbing
- Stitching
- Connectors
- Energy absorber
- Attachment points
- Product labels and markings
The equipment should be removed from service if damage, excessive wear, contamination, deformation, or other conditions that could affect its performance are identified.
Any energy-absorbing lanyard that has arrested a fall or has an activated energy absorber should not be returned to service without appropriate evaluation according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Importance of EN 355 in Work at Height Safety
Energy-absorbing lanyards are an important component of personal fall arrest systems used during work at height.
Selecting equipment that complies with the applicable EN 355 requirements, together with a suitable EN 361 full body safety harness, appropriate connectors, and a suitable anchorage system, can contribute significantly to an effective fall protection system.
However, compliance with a standard alone does not guarantee safe work. Correct equipment selection, compatibility, proper installation, user training, inspection, and adherence to the manufacturer's instructions are all essential.
EN 355 vs. EN 354: What Is the Difference?
One of the most common questions concerning lanyards is the difference between EN 354 and EN 355.
EN 354 applies to lanyards used as connecting components in personal fall protection systems.
EN 355 applies to energy absorbers. An energy-absorbing lanyard combines a lanyard with an energy absorber to provide controlled energy dissipation during fall arrest.
Therefore, an ordinary lanyard should not automatically be treated as an energy-absorbing lanyard.
EN 355 and Fall Clearance
Fall clearance is an important consideration when using an energy-absorbing lanyard.
A fall arrest system requires sufficient space below the user to allow the system to activate and arrest the fall without the user striking the ground, an obstacle, or another lower-level structure.
When calculating the required clearance, factors such as:
- Lanyard length
- Energy absorber deployment
- User height
- Harness and system configuration
- Anchorage position
- Potential swing fall
- Safety margin
should be considered according to the manufacturer's instructions and the specific system configuration.
For this reason, an energy-absorbing lanyard should never be selected based solely on its length or price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the EN 355 standard cover?
EN 355 specifies requirements for energy absorbers used in personal fall protection systems. These devices are designed to dissipate energy and reduce the forces generated during fall arrest.
What is the difference between EN 355 and EN 354?
EN 354 covers lanyards, while EN 355 covers energy absorbers. An energy-absorbing lanyard incorporates an energy absorber designed to dissipate energy during fall arrest.
Can an energy-absorbing lanyard be reused after a fall?
An energy-absorbing lanyard that has arrested a fall or has an activated energy absorber should not be reused without appropriate evaluation. The manufacturer's instructions must be followed, and the equipment may need to be removed from service.
Which equipment should be used with an EN 355 energy-absorbing lanyard?
Depending on the application, an energy-absorbing lanyard may be used as part of a system incorporating an EN 361 full body safety harness, suitable EN 362 connectors, and an appropriate anchorage system.
Why is an energy absorber necessary?
An energy absorber is designed to dissipate energy during fall arrest and help limit the forces generated during a fall. This can reduce the forces transmitted to the user and other components of the fall protection system.
Can an EN 355 lanyard be used for work positioning?
An energy-absorbing lanyard is primarily intended for fall arrest applications when designed and used accordingly. Work positioning is a different function and should be performed with equipment intended for that purpose, such as equipment complying with EN 358, where applicable.
Conclusion
The EN 355 standard is an important European standard for energy absorbers used in personal fall protection systems. Energy-absorbing lanyards are designed to dissipate energy during fall arrest and help limit the forces generated when a fall is stopped.
For safe work at height, the lanyard should be selected according to the specific application and used with compatible equipment such as an EN 361 full body safety harness, EN 362 connectors, and a suitable anchorage system.
Correct equipment selection, sufficient fall clearance, pre-use inspections, periodic inspections, proper system compatibility, and compliance with the manufacturer's instructions are essential for effective fall protection.
When all these factors are properly considered, energy-absorbing lanyards can play an important role in reducing fall arrest forces and supporting safer working conditions at height.
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