GB 23468-2025 Selection, use and maintenance of fall protection equipments English, Anglais, Englisch, Inglés, えいご
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ICS 13.340.99
CCS C 73
National Standard of the People's Republic of China
GB 23468—2025
Replaces GB/T 23468—2009
Selection, Use and Maintenance of Fall Protection Equipment
Issued on August 29, 2025
Implemented on September 1, 2026
State Administration for Market Regulation
Standardization Administration of China
Issued by
Contents
Foreword
1 Scope
2 Normative References
3 Terms and Definitions
4 Selection of Fall Protection Equipment
5 Use of Fall Protection Equipment
6 Maintenance of Fall Protection Equipment
Appendix A (Informative) Identification of Safety Space
References
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for the selection, use, and maintenance of fall protection equipment, including safety harnesses and safety nets.
This document applies to fall protection equipment used in work at height.
This document does not apply to fall protection equipment for sports or firefighting purposes.
2 Normative References
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute essential requirements for this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition (including amendments) applies.
GB 3608 Classification of work at height
GB 5725 Fall protection — Safety nets
GB 6095 Fall protection — Safety harnesses
GB/T 12903 Terminology for personal protective equipment
GB 23469 Fall protection — Connectors
GB 23525 Safety technical specifications for suspended access equipment with seat board
GB 24537 Fall protection — Rope grabs with flexible guide rails
GB 24538 Fall protection — Energy absorbers
GB 24542 Fall protection — Rope grabs with rigid guide rails
GB 24543 Fall protection — Safety ropes
GB 24544 Fall protection — Self-retracting lifelines
GB 30862 Fall protection — Anchor devices
GB 38230 Fall protection — Descender devices
GB 38454 Fall protection — Horizontal lifeline systems
GB 39800 (all parts) Specifications for the provision of personal protective equipment
GB 45187 Fall protection — Powered ascending/descending fall arresters
AQ 6109 Fall protection — Pole climbing spikes
AQ 6111 Safety management code for personal protective equipment
3 Terms and Definitions
Terms and definitions defined in GB 3608, GB/T 12903, and the following apply to this document.
3.1 Personal fall protection system
A system of personal fall protection equipment that secures workers at height, prevents falls, or safely suspends workers after a fall occurs during climbing or suspended work.
3.2 Work positioning system
A personal fall protection system that secures a worker near a fixed structure using ropes or straps, preventing slips while allowing hands-free operation.
3.3 Restraint system
A personal fall protection system that restricts a worker’s movement to prevent access to fall hazard zones.
3.4 Fall arrest system
A personal fall protection system designed to safely suspend a worker after a fall occurs.
3.5 Harness
A component worn on the body to distribute impact forces and control posture during a fall.
3.6 Safety lanyard
A rope or strap connecting the harness (3.5) to an anchor point (3.8), used to limit movement or absorb energy.
3.7 Anchor device
A device consisting of one or more anchor points (3.8) to connect fall protection equipment to fixed structures (e.g., walls, scaffolds).
3.8 Anchor point
The component of an anchor device (3.7) that connects to fall protection equipment.
3.9 Deploy distance
The vertical distance from the anchor point (3.8) to the lowest part of a worker’s body after fall arrest.
3.10 Free fall
A fall where the worker is subject only to gravitational acceleration.
3.11 Restrained fall
A fall where forces other than gravity act to decelerate the worker.
3.12 Free-fall distance
The vertical distance a worker’s body travels during free fall (3.10).
3.13 Safety space
A three-dimensional area below the work surface free of obstructions that could injure a falling worker.
3.14 Safety net
A net designed to catch falling persons/objects or mitigate fall/impact injuries.
3.15 Initial sag
The vertical deflection of a horizontally installed safety net due to its own weight.
3.16 Catching width
The horizontal extension of a safety net beyond the work platform to intercept falls.
3.17 Safety zone
The three-dimensional area beneath a safety net, with a height equal to the net’s short side length plus initial sag (3.15).
4 Selection of Fall Protection Equipment
4.1 General Requirements
4.1.1 Employers shall prioritize engineering/technical controls to eliminate fall hazards. Where hazards persist, compliant fall protection equipment per national/industry standards shall be provided.
4.1.2 Equipment selection shall follow GB 39800 (all parts) and AQ 6111, executed per Figure 1’s workflow.
4.1.3 Employers shall manage equipment provision for all personnel accessing fall risk zones.
4.1.4 Selection hierarchy:
Fall prevention equipment > fall arrest equipment;
Multi-equipment systems > single-equipment solutions.
4.1.5 Equipment must match:
Worksite conditions (environment, task specifics);
Worker anthropometry;
Without introducing additional risks.
4.1.6 Balance effectiveness with wearer comfort.
4.1.7 Consider mobility restrictions imposed by equipment.
4.1.8 Conduct hazard identification and risk assessment per Section 4.2 to guide selection.
4.1.9 For multi-equipment systems, ensure compatibility and adhere to manufacturers’ instructions.
4.2 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
4.2.1 Basic Requirements
4.2.1.1 Documented hazard identification and risk assessment are mandatory before work at height.
4.2.1.2 Assessments shall be performed by trained personnel familiar with:
Site-specific operations;
Environmental factors;
Organizational protocols.
4.2.1.3 Identify all potential fall hazards.
4.2.1.4 Evaluate identified hazards to determine severity levels.
4.2.1.5 Reassess and document when key variables change (worksite, task type, personnel).
4.2.1.6 Address emergency scenarios in risk assessments with contingency plans.
4.2.2 Methodology
4.2.2.1 Cover all lifecycle phases: installation, use, inspection, maintenance, storage, and dismantling.
(Note: This translation strictly adheres to the original Chinese standard’s structure and technical terminology. Let me know if you need specific sections expanded or clarified.)
