The Key to Worker Safety is in the Preparation
Do you know the correct way to wear a fall protection harness? For veteran workers, it may seem like second nature, but be cautious in becoming complacent. For new and experienced workers alike, bad habits can form quickly. For that reason, it’s a good idea to hold regular PPE training on proper techniques.
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), falls from heights accounted for about one-third of occupational fatalities in 2018. The sobering news is that many times those deaths could have been avoided with a few preventative measures.
Serious injuries from falls can be prevented by 3 simple steps:
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Assess the risks and plan ahead
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Provide the right fall protection equipment for the risk
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Train everyone regularly on how to use their PPE
It’s not enough to simply educate the workforce on the risks of working at heights. It’s important to provide real actionable advice on how to use their life-saving equipment properly.
Below, we share tips and strategies for improving harness safety, including critical information on why comfort matters.
Are you familiar with OSHA’s guidelines to ensure safe and effective safety harness use?
Download this inspection checklist!
9 Steps to Properly Wearing your Fall Protection Harness
1.Hold by the Dorsal D-Ring
You’ll want to inspect your safety harness before every use. Holding your fall protection harness by the dorsal D-ring found in the middle of the back allows you to view all parts of the harness at once.
Now, let the shoulder straps, leg straps, and chest straps fall into place, making sure straps aren’t twisted. Be sure to inspect buckles and fasteners for damage.
2. Shake to Let Straps Fall
Once you are holding the safety harness by its dorsal D-ring, give it a shake. This helps to untangle straps and offers improved visibility to any loose straps or unfastened buckles.
3. Inspect for Damage or Wear
Be sure to complete a full inspection of your safety harness for damage, wear and tear, rust, pitting, or other missing components. This includes D-rings, grommets, straps, buckles, labels, and rivets.
Test each component and make sure all parts of your harness are working properly before you put it on and again once you are wearing it. If there is any damage or if the harness has been involved in a fall, it must be taken out of service. Make this part of your routine each time you wear your fall protection harness.
Related: Watch Our Body Harness Inspection Video with 3M™
4. Donning the Fall Protection Harness
Place your safety harness over your shoulders as if you are putting on a vest. Make sure the D-ring sits squarely in the center of your shoulder blades. If you need to adjust, you may slide the D-ring up or down along the webbing.
5. Adjusting the Fall Protection Harness
Next, align the shoulder straps so they lay vertical and evenly spaced on your chest. Pull each leg strap up and fasten the buckles together. Stand up straight and adjust the side body straps eliminating slack.
Fasten the chest strap about mid-chest height and adjust as necessary to remove any slack and then tighten. Adjust anything that feels too tight, too loose, or too restricting and always make sure your harness is never placed off-center.
6. Check for Positioning
Do both a visual and physical check on your harness straps. Make sure shoulder straps and leg straps are snug, while also allowing full range of motion. Use a mirror or ask a friend to inspect various parts of your harness that you cannot see. Then, be sure to use fingers to inspect fit, placement, and movement. Slip your hand between your leg and the strap, as you turn your hand it should squeeze your fingers slightly.
7. Tuck in Loose Ends
Tuck any loose ends or webbing into the strap retainers, loop keepers, or belt loops to avoid getting snagged in moving parts or machinery.
8. Attach to Lanyard and Anchor Point
Now it’s time to attach your fall protection harness to your lanyard. You’ll want to carefully calculate the distance from the anchor points and the amount of clearance you have in your workspace to the level below.
This is especially important when deciding on the type of lanyard you will be using, such as shock-absorbing lanyards or self-retracting lanyards.
Related: Watch our fall clearance video with 3M
Applications involving leading or sharp edges require specialized fall protection lanyards, so be sure to match your fall protection needs with the dangers discovered in a thorough hazard assessment.
Next, attach the harness to your anchor point. When choosing suitable anchorage devices, always consider the application and total weight the anchor must support, including body weight, equipment, and tools. In the tragic event of a fall, these forces are multiplied by movement and deceleration speeds, so accurate assessment of anchor points and devices is critical.
9. Check Manufacturer Instructions
Of course, these directions may change according to the manufacturer. Always review manufacturer instructions prior to use.
Are you familiar with OSHA’s guidelines to ensure safe and effective safety harness use?
Download this inspection checklist!
Why Comfort Matters in Safety Harness Selection
If the safety gear your workers have is ill-fitting or uncomfortable, chances are they won’t wear it.
This isn’t something any business owner or safety manager wants to hear. Many companies have limited budgets specifically designed to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their workforce. Many times, PPE is selected for function over comfort. But the fact is, equipment like a full-body safety harness must be comfortable if you expect compliance.
Workers resist wearing gear that is hot, heavy, or bulky for a multitude of reasons. A safety harness that doesn’t fit properly, limits movement, or elevates body temperature is not only uncomfortable but can distract workers and increase safety risks.
How Do We Define Comfort in Safety Harnesses?
Human factors that influence comfort include worker behavior and needs, workload distribution, ergonomics, anatomy, range of motion and heat mapping, as well as personal fitment. For improved safety and compliance, be sure to take these points into consideration when selecting the next fall protection harness for your workers.
Helping your employees understand how to properly wear their fall protection harness can drastically improve your workers’ safety and minimize fall-related injuries. If you have any questions on how you can improve your fall protection program, contact your local ABATIX Rep today.
