A subject that even today still generates a lot of questions in the market, not only when it comes to fall protection equipment, but with other PPEs, is: why shouldn’t I use a brand X fall arrest device with a brand Y harness? Or a brand H harness with a brand C lanyard?
First of all, it is worth clarifying that the equipment is tested individually and each manufacturer has a manufacturing process and method that meets the need of the set itself. And the manufacturers ensure the functionality of the equipment as a whole.
However, this not the only reason. In fact it’s the law. The MTE’s ordinance below, which establishes the rules of IPE SETS for NR-6, says:
According to NR 06 item 6.1.1, it is considered combined individual protection equipment all equipment composed by several devices, which are associated by the manufacturer against one or more risks that may occur simultaneously, and that is likely to threaten the safety and health at work.
MINISTRY OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT
ORDINANCE NO. 452, OF NOVEMBER 20, 2014
(Official Journal of the Union –DOU- of 1/12/2014 Section I Page 94)
Establishes the technical testing standards and mandatory requirements applicable to Personal Protective Equipment – PPE established in Annex I of NR-6 and other provisions.
ANNEX I
MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT – PPE
2.4 All connection, extension or complement devices connected to a PPE
shall be designed and manufactured to ensure the protection level of the equipment.
2.4.1. Combined personal protective equipment, such as footwear +
clothing or gloves + clothing for protection against weather, water and chemical agents, shall have their connections and junctions evaluated according to the requirements established in Annex B of ISO 16602:2007.
2.4.1.1 It is only allowed to issue CA for the combined personal protective equipment
Mentioned in item 2.4.1 when their devices are intended for protection against the same risk.
By the CA (certificate of approval) rule, the only equipment considered PPE is the safety harness – the others are connecting elements. Thus, the harness has a CA number, and this document indicates which lanyards and fall arrest devices have been tested and certified by the certifying body Inmetro.
And here is another small explanation: there are two items where the equipment components are linked. See below:
SURVEILLANCE PROCEDURE FOR THE COMPONENTS OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) FOR PROTECTION
AGAINST FALLS WITH LEVEL DIFFERENCE – SAFETY
HARNESS, FALL ARREST DEVICE AND SAFETY LANYARD
Inmetro Ordinance No. 388/2012 SGI Codes 03807, 03808 and 03809
1.5 Manufacture Batch
For the purposes of the Requirements for Conformity Assessment – RAC attached to the Ordinance
nº388/2012, the components of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for protection against falls with level difference are – Safety Harness, Fall Arrest Device and Safety Lanyard, belonging to the same model, and manufactured according to the same process and same material, limited to 30 (thirty) days of manufacture.
1.6 Product Model
Safety Harness, Fall Arrest Device or Safety Lanyard with its own specifications
own specifications, established by constructive characteristics, that is, same project, production process, material and other normative requirements, with the exception of color and size.
1.7 Version
Variations of the same product model, with additional or optional items that do not change the performance characteristics in the tests relevant to the standards
With this, it is clear that we cannot and should not use equipment that is not from the same manufacturer. And even if it is from the same manufacturer, it must be tied to the approval certificate of the equipment in question. In this way, you can make sure that you are using compatible equipment and are legally protected by the Ministry of Labor.