Falls that occur while working at heights are still among the biggest causes of major injuries and fatalities. Some of the common cases include falls through fragile surfaces (such as roofs) and ladders. Thousands of workers suffer mild to major injuries from falls related to working at heights. Unfortunately, loss of life has also become a common occurrence. If you are the type of person who works at height or know someone who does, the need to ensure safety is guaranteed.
There are many ways through which safety can be assured while working at heights. They range from proper planning and inspection of the job site to the wearing of appropriate and properly functioning personal protective equipment. One of the most recommended types of PPE is the full body harness. Unfortunately, a lot of construction workers or people who work at heights don’t usually see the importance of wearing a full body harness. The importance of doing so only occurs to them after they have suffered a fall – and are lucky enough to live and narrate their story.
A safety harness is a crucial component of the personal fall arrest systems. It plays the important role of keeping users suspended upright in case of a fall. It also supports them as they await rescue. The full body safety harness is highly recommended in fall restraint systems that prevent employees from reaching points where falls are probable. The use of body belts as a safety harness is discouraged most of the time. This is mainly because the fall forces are usually concentrated on the abdomen. On the other hand, a full body harness distributes these forces throughout the body, and this has the advantage of minimising the chances of injuries by significant margins.
While having a safety is a magnificent idea, it will only be useful if it’s worn correctly. Use the following tips to ensure proper use of your safety harness.
- Step 1: while holding the harness by the back D-ring, shake it for all the straps to fall in place
- Step 2: If the leg, chest or waist straps are already buckled, release the straps and then unbuckle them.
- Step 3: The third phase entails slipping the straps over the shoulders. At this point, the D-ring should rest at the back in the middle between shoulder blades
- Step 4: The leg strap should then be pulled between legs and then connected to the opposite end. Repeat this procedure with the other leg. If your harness has a belt, take this opportunity to connect the waist strap.
- Step 5: It is time to connect the chest strap and then positioning it in the mid chest area. Ensure to tighten it to a level you feel most comfortable.
- Step 6: Take the time to tighten all the buckles. The safety harness should fit well while allowing full range movement. Excess straps should be passed through the loop keepers