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Understanding the Importance of a Safety Harness
Every facility manager and safety team must address the risks of falls in the workplace. Falls can occur in various settings, such as warehouse workers stepping too close to an unprotected dock door, HVAC inspectors maneuvering around rooftops without guardrails, or construction workers facing slippery surfaces and trip hazards. To ensure worker safety, providing proper safety equipment and training is essential.
For high-risk scenarios—such as working on exterior walls, in elevator shafts, or during extended periods at elevated heights—employees need full body safety harnesses. But how do you go about choosing the correct one?
This guide will help you navigate the key factors when choosing a full body safety harness. The right choice provides flexibility, comfort, freedom of movement, and, most importantly, protection from falls. When selecting a harness, consider these three critical factors: certifications, fit, and integrability.
The Three Layers of Fall Protection
Fall protection consists of three essential layers:
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Warnings: Brightly colored barriers, signage, and taped perimeters serve as visual cues to indicate hazardous areas. Workers can use these indicators to avoid unsafe zones.
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Physical Barriers: Gates, walls, and railings physically prevent workers from falling from elevated surfaces. These are crucial in areas where distractions could cause workers to miss visual warnings.
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Harnesses: A full body safety harness is the main component of a fall arrest system. When properly worn and attached to a secure anchorage point, it prevents falls by distributing force in the event of a fall, reducing the risk of serious injury.
European Union regulations, along with local safety requirements, determine which safety measures are necessary for different environments. Harnesses, which are part of EU-compliant fall protection equipment, play a vital role when visual warnings and physical barriers are insufficient.
Selecting Fall protection harnesses
When selecting a fall protection harness, it’s essential to choose one that meets regulatory standards and provides optimal safety for your workers. Whether you are purchasing for the first time or replacing outdated equipment, consider these three critical factors:
1. Certifications: Ensuring Compliance with Safety Standards
Various safety certifications exist in the industry, and meeting the highest standards ensures that your harnesses comply with EU fall protection requirements. A competent person should verify compliance before issuing harnesses to workers.
When choosing a full body harness, look for products that meet these key standards:
- EN 361 (Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Harnesses)
- EN 358 (Personal protective equipment for work positioning and fall prevention)
- EN 795 (Anchor devices)
- ISO 9001 (Quality management system)
Be cautious of products claiming to be "EU-approved." While various organizations provide training and certifications, they do not directly endorse or certify specific products.
2. Fit: Ensuring Comfort and Proper Usage
A safety harness must fit the wearer correctly to provide adequate protection. It should be easy to put on and offer comfort without restricting movement. Consider the following factors when choosing the correct harness:
- Comfort: Workers who wear harnesses for extended periods need adequate padding to prevent discomfort. A well-designed harness avoids excessive pressure on joints and soft tissues.
- Application-Specific Design: Some harnesses serve as backups, only activating in the event of a fall. Others, such as those used by welders or rescue teams, must support a worker's full weight while ensuring circulation is not restricted.
- Freedom of Motion: A poorly designed harness can limit mobility, slowing down workers or discouraging them from using the harness correctly. Investing in fall protection harnesses designed for flexibility and application-specific use is key.
A harness should also include secure leg straps to ensure stability in an upright position during a fall. An improperly fitted harness can increase the risk of injury instead of preventing it.
3. Integration with Other Fall Protection Equipment
A full body safety harness must work seamlessly with other fall protection equipment. It connects to fall arrest systems via safety harness lanyards and anchorage points. The type of connection determines how a fall is prevented or mitigated:
- Fixed Lifelines: These prevent any downward movement, keeping the worker secured in place.
- Shock-Absorbing Lanyards: These slow the fall, reducing impact force and minimizing injury risk.
- Vertical and Horizontal Lifelines: These allow movement while maintaining safety, letting workers traverse various work environments securely.
When choosing a fall protection harness, ensure it has the appropriate hardware, such as D-rings, for secure attachment. It should also provide attachment points at the chest, shoulders, and hips, depending on the type of work being performed.
Additional Considerations When Choosing a Full Body Harness
Aside from certifications, fit, and integration, additional elements contribute to choosing the correct safety harness:
- Durability: High-quality materials ensure the harness can withstand harsh work environments and regular use.
- Weather Resistance: If workers operate outdoors, harnesses should be resistant to extreme temperatures, moisture, and UV exposure.
- Adjustability: Customizable straps allow a more secure and comfortable fit for workers of different sizes.
- Weight Capacity: The harness should accommodate a wide range of body weights, including additional loads from carried tools.
The Role of Training and Inspection
A full body safety harness must be worn correctly to provide protection. A competent person should train workers on how to put on and adjust their harnesses properly. Regular inspections should also be conducted to ensure that harnesses remain in good condition. Key inspection points include:
- Checking straps and buckles for fraying or wear
- Ensuring metal components are free of rust and damage
- Confirming all attachment points remain secure and functional
If any defects are found, the harness should be replaced immediately to maintain worker safety.
Trust Tractel for Reliable Fall Protection Equipment
Safety harnesses are a non-negotiable aspect of worker safety in industries that require work at heights. Tractel specializes in providing high-quality, EU-compliant harnesses designed for comfort and security. Choosing the correct safety harness is critical in reducing the risk of falls and ensuring that workers remain protected in hazardous environments. The right harness, when properly worn and maintained, can mean the difference between a minor incident and a life-threatening injury.
Explore our selection of full body safety harnesses and fall protection equipment today or contact us to find the best solutions for your workplace safety needs.