NEN EN 361 & NEN EN 363 Inspection

NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363 inspection of fall protection equipment such as safety harnesses, lanyards, energy absorbers and complete fall arrest systems

What is a NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363 inspection and when is it mandatory?

NEN EN 361 is the European standard for safety harnesses. NEN EN 363 is the European standard for complete personal fall arrest systems. Together, these standards form an important basis for working safely at height with safety harnesses, lanyards, energy absorbers and other components of a fall arrest system.

The Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) requires employers to ensure that their employees work with safe work equipment and personal protective equipment. A periodic inspection in accordance with NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363 helps to verify whether safety harnesses and fall arrest systems are still safe and suitable for use. This reduces the risk of accidents during work at height.
How often safety harnesses and fall arrest systems have to be inspected depends on factors such as the type of equipment, the intensity of use, the working conditions and the manufacturer's instructions. Intensive use or demanding conditions may call for a shorter inspection interval.

Why do my safety harnesses and fall protection equipment have to be inspected in accordance with NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363?

It is essential not to neglect inspections of safety harnesses and fall arrest systems. In the event of a workplace accident, the Dutch Labour Authority and your insurance company may check whether the personal fall protection equipment used was safe and had been inspected periodically. Your organisation can demonstrate this with a valid inspection in accordance with NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363.
If your organisation cannot demonstrably meet this obligation, this may have consequences for your liability. Avoid problems by having safety harnesses, lanyards, energy absorbers and complete fall arrest systems inspected on time. In doing so, you show that your organisation actively works towards safe working at height and meets the applicable safety requirements.

What does a NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363 inspection involve?

During a NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363 inspection, safety harnesses and complete fall arrest systems are checked for safety, completeness and suitability for use. This includes checking for damage, wear, deformation, seams, buckles, fastenings, lanyards, energy absorbers, labels, markings and the general condition of the fall protection equipment.

What happens if my safety harness or fall protection equipment fails the NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363 inspection?

Our experience shows that a rejection does not always mean that the entire fall arrest system has to be replaced immediately. A safety harness, lanyard, energy absorber or other component may be rejected because of wear, damage, deformation, a missing marking or a defective fastening.
That is why, alongside the standard NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363 inspection, we also offer a practical repair service. If we identify a defect during the inspection, we assess straight away whether repair is possible and justifiable. This may involve replacing parts, restoring markings or taking equipment out of service when it can no longer be used safely.
This way you avoid unnecessary risks, your fall protection equipment remains reliable and your workplace stays safe and well organised.

Standard inspection

Visual inspection

Damage to harness webbing, lanyards, lines and energy absorbers
Cuts, fraying, tears, burn marks or other damage to the material
Wear on webbing, stitching, seams and attachment points
Condition of buckles, fastenings, carabiners, hooks and couplings
Presence of loose, missing or unsound parts
Effects of dirt, moisture, paint, oil, chemicals, UV damage or corrosion
Legibility of labels, markings, serial numbers and instructions for use
General condition and suitability for safe use in accordance with NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363

Inspection by measurement and testing

Checking buckles, fastenings, hooks, carabiners and couplings
Checking seams, stitching and connections for strength and damage
Checking for deformation, wear or play in metal parts
Assessment of the composition of the complete fall arrest system
Checking whether all components fit together properly and are suitable for use
Assessment of whether the safety harness and fall protection equipment can be used safely in accordance with NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363

Our possibilities

Administration & Certification
After completion, you will receive a complete documentation package with an inspection report, an overview of the inspected equipment and test certificates, either digitally or on paper.
On-site maintenance
When you contact our breakdown service, they will send a technician to your location. This means you do not need to take any further action yourself.

The results

Approved safety harnesses and fall arrest systems are provided with an inspection sticker
Rejected harnesses, lines, energy absorbers or other components are clearly marked
Any defects, damage or points requiring repair are recorded
Where possible, we assess on the spot whether repair or replacement of parts is justifiable
You receive an overview of the inspected work equipment and personal protective equipment
You can demonstrate that your organisation works with safe and inspected fall protection equipment in accordance with NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363

Records

After the NEN EN 361 and NEN EN 363 inspection you receive a clear documentation package with complete and demonstrable records of all inspected safety harnesses, lanyards, energy absorbers and complete fall arrest systems. The documentation package includes an overview of the inspected equipment, the inspection status per item, any remarks or points requiring repair and the accompanying inspection reports or certificates.

You can receive the documentation package in hard copy and/or digitally on CD-ROM or by e-mail.

NEW: Always up to date with our digital inspection portal

In addition to the standard inspection reporting, we now also offer a digital inspection portal. This online environment gives you access at all times to inspection reports, certificates and the current inspection status of your ladders, steps and scaffolding.

Thanks to unique identification and QR codes, documents are easy to call up on the shop floor. This gives you inspection records that are always current and clearly organised, without having to search through e-mails or separate files.

The advantages of working with Van Dulst Techniek

Complete administration
You will receive a complete overview of test results, inspection reports, and certificates. Everything is available digitally or on paper.
Tailored advice
Our specialists work with you to put together an inspection programme that suits your organisation. From a one-off check to a multi-year maintenance plan.
Complying with legal obligations
Our services ensure that your company complies with the legal obligations relating to wiring safety within companies.
Inspections carried out on site
Van Dulst's specialists serve companies throughout the Netherlands.