3.1. Protection against mechanical impact
PPE intended to protect against this type of risk must be sufficiently shock-absorbent to prevent injury resulting, in particular, from the crushing or penetration of the protected part, at least up to an impact-energy level above which the excessive dimensions or mass of the means of shock-absorption would preclude effective use of the PPE for the foreseeable period of wear. The outsoles of protective footwear intended to prevent slipping must be designed and manufactured or equipped with additional means so as to ensure adequate grip, having regard to the nature or state of the surface. PPE intended to prevent falls from a height or their effects must incorporate a body harness and a connexion system which can be connected to a reliable external anchorage point. It must be designed and manufactured so that, under the foreseeable conditions of use, the vertical drop of the user is minimised to prevent collision with obstacles while the braking force does not attain the threshold value at which physical injury or the opening or breakage of any PPE component which might cause the user to fall can be expected to occur. Such PPE must also ensure that, after braking, the user is maintained in a correct position in which he may await help if necessary. The manufacturer's instructions must specify, in particular, all relevant information relating to: the characteristics required for the reliable external anchorage point and the necessary minimum clearance below the user; the proper way of putting on the body harness and of attaching the connexion system to the reliable external anchorage point. PPE designed to prevent the effects of mechanical vibrations must be capable of ensuring adequate attenuation of harmful vibration components for the part of the body at risk.
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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-01 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.