Type

Fall Arrest

CSA Class

A

Weight Capacity

420 lbs.

Size

Large/Medium

D-Rings

Back

Leg Strap Connections

Tongue Buckle

Chest Strap Connections

Tongue Buckle

         Body Wear

Since everything from harness construction to harness components can be compared and contrasted, selecting the proper harness to protect your workers can be a confusing process. To help you make an informed decision, here are some tips from safety directors and product managers on questions to ask before you invest in equipment

Harness Selection
How Safe is a Full-Body Harness?

Surprisingly, some brands of harnesses do not meet basic safety standards. Before purchasing fall protection products, request written proof from the manufacturers for the following items:

Q: Are the products manufactured in an ISO 9001 facility?
A: ISO 9001 certification proves a facility meets strict international standards and represents consistency in the manufacturing process. Quality-conscious manufacturers strive to produce reliable products – demand the best.

Q: Do the products meet ANSI standards?
A: Product labeling is not enough. Not all ANSI-labeled harnesses meet ANSI Z359 and ANSI A10.32. If products are tested and pass the standards, a manufacturer will not hesitate in supplying the test results/documentation. Remember, ANSI Standards are not regulated but self-policed. Insist on written proof.

Q: Does the fall protection manufacturer have a Statistical Process Control (SPC) program?
A: Fall protection products are only as good as the quality of the raw materials/components. Expect the best.

Q: Does the manufacturer utilize independent, third-party testing?
A: Reputable manufacturers are often members of the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) or utilize the services of other independent test labs that provide written test results/certification. Ask for written proof of certification.

Q: Does the manufacturer have qualified engineers designing/testing products in an in-house testing facility?
A: Ask for documented results for dynamic drop tests and static load tests. Without testing facilities, how can a manufacturer validate labeling that implies that products meet industry-accepted standards?

Harness Features

A full-body harness includes hardware, webbing and pads with specific functions.

Hardware must be sturdy, but not oversized and awkward. At the same time, the hardware should easily attach to connecting devices. For example, the back D-rings on some harnesses are so small that hooking a lanyard can be a tricky process. Harness hardware must also be smooth because it can pose a hazard if it has sharp edges that cut into harness webbing or dig into the skin in the event of a fall.

Hardware construction is an important feature specifically in friction buckles. If friction buckles are not spring-loaded, they can easily begin to loosen once the harness has been adjusted to fit properly. Also, be aware of hardware with exposed springs, especially on friction buckles. These can easily be disabled or dislocated.

Webbing varies drastically from brand to brand. Look for sturdy webbing with tightly-woven yarn that slides through hardware without snagging. Once webbing is cut, burned, frayed, etc., the harness must be taken out of service.

When choosing webbing, keep in mind that it should meet the ANSI standard of 5,000 lbs. (22kN) tensile strength. Stitching should have enough strength that it does not rip away during a fall, and the webbing should endure traditional abrasion tests without fraying and puckering.

Since webbing will be used in sun, heat and moisture over extended periods of time, it should resist natural weather effects. Similarly, in a harsh chemical environment, webbing must resist toxic chemical fumes and splashes.

Padding should be pliable and easy to adjust to ensure a comfortable fit. Like webbing, padding must withstand harsh weather and maintain its shape. Some padding can become brittle in cold weather, so look for padding with breathable fabric and durable construction.

Critical Components, Critical Fit

While safety directors agree a comfortable fit is crucial to compliance, some workers lose sight of how important it is to follow directions when it comes to ensuring a snug fit with chest, back D-ring and leg straps.

Placement and connection of the chest strap and back D-ring critically affect harness fit and safety. It is vitally important that chest straps are positioned in the mid-chest area, and back D-rings located in the middle of the back between the shoulder blades. Both must be tightened for a snug fit.

Chest straps should be easy to adjust, but must withstand fall forces without tearing or breaking during a fall. If a chest strap is not fastened properly, it can slide up around a worker’s neck after a fall.

To provide easy and proper chest strap adjustment, fall protection manufacturers use a variety of connecting devices from metal hardware to Velcro® straps. Metal chest hardware is the preferred choice for greater safety, consistently meeting 4,000 lbs. (17.8kN) of “pull force” when tested. Velcro has the potential to collect dirt, which can affect its holding power and result in serious injury in the event of a fall.

Appropriate harness sizing influences compliance, as well. Some manufacturers rely only on universal sizing with harnesses that fit almost everyone, however, this design doesn’t offer a comfortable fit for shorter workers.

To accommodate all employee shapes and sizes, some manufacturers offer more than 30 styles and designs developed specifically to meet the needs of today’s workers.

Clear Instructions Encourage Safe Harness Use

It sounds too simple to address, but clear, easy-to-read instructions should accompany every harness. Ideally, instructions should be available in more than one language with English, French and Spanish versions as the most common. All instructions should include explicit guidelines for usage, maintenance and inspection.

It All Adds Up to Safety

Finally, when purchasing a harness, make sure you are buying the correct harness for the appropriate application. Remember, employees will more readily and properly wear a comfortable harness that easily adapts to lanyards and other connecting devices. The better the harness, the better your company’s chances of employee compliance, and that increases safety and reduces liability risk. Most importantly, it saves lives.