Body Harness
Body harnesses are designed to minimize stress forces on an employee's body in the event of a fall, while providing sufficient freedom of movement to allow work to be performed.
How to Don a Harness
Harnesses, and components must be used only for employee protection (as part of a personal fall arrest system) and not to hoist materials.
Keep the following in mind:
- The harness must be made from synthetic fibers.
- The harness must fit the user. It should be comfortable and easy to adjust.
- According to ANSI/ASSE Z359.1, Safety Requirements for Personal Fall Arrest Systems, Subsystems, and Components, the harness must have an attachment point, usually a D-ring, in the center of the back at about shoulder level. A D-ring may also be used in the front of the harness. However, connection at the front D-ring is limited to systems that restrict free fall distance to 2 ft or less and limit the maximum fall arrest loads on the front D-ring to 900 lbs. of force or less. The D-ring should be large enough to easily accept a lanyard snap hook.
- Chest straps should be easy to adjust and strong enough to withstand a fall without breaking.
- Use only industrial full-body harnesses (not recreational climbing harnesses).
- The harness must be safe and reliable. It should meet ANSI and CSA standards and the manufacturer should have ISO 9001 certification, which shows the manufacturer meets international standards for product design, development, production, installation, and service.
Body Belts
As of January 1, 1998, body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system (PFAS), because they impose a danger of internal injuries when stopping a fall. However, body belts may be used for attaching to other components, such as a lanyard used with positioning systems, travel restraint systems, or ladder safety systems.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-4. According to the ANSI/ASSE Z359.1 fall protection code, where must the attachment point, usually a D-ring, be located on a PFAS harness?
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