Material Testing Report for 1.4 Multiplier
Executive Summary
The purpose of this testing was to determine whether the existing 1.4 multiplier comparison between a human body and a rigid test weight for testing fall arresting equipment is suitable for current technology. Reduction of the 1.4 multiplier to reflect current fall protection technologies entails increasing the weight of the rigid test weight used in dynamic performance drop tests on energy absorbing lanyards and other fall arresting devices. A major feature of this test was to gather test data using both human subjects and a rigid weight capable of being heavier or lighter to match each human subject’s weight. This test includes easily understood mathematics which outline the differences in the energy absorbed by a human during a fall versus absorbed energy by a rigid test weight. It concludes that the present 1.4 multiplier is inadequate to represent a human weight when using a rigid test weight. The data suggests a 1.10 multiplier may be more accurate when using a rigid test weight simulating a human for qualification testing, assuming a 6 ft free fall distance. This report recommends that the ANSI standard body should seriously review their current testing protocols. Also included are tables and graphs outlining the comparisons between the rigid and human weights tested. The graphs contain a series of tests overlaid on each other and enlarged graphs focusing on the deployment of energy absorbers during a test...Read More >>