How to choose the right safety harness

The safety harness market is a vast and complicated place. We compiled a guide with some of the important issues to consider when on the lookout for a body harness. See this guide as an entry point to fall protection and the different types, features and the different pitfalls you might fall into (!) as well as giving you insight into some of the best safety harnesses on the market right now!

 

The safety harness market is a vast and complicated place. We compiled a guide with some of the important issues to consider when on the lookout for a body harness. See this guide as an entry point to fall protection and the different types, features and the different pitfalls you might fall into (!) as well as giving you insight into some of the best safety harnesses on the market right now!

 

The need for fall protection

To start us off, what is the purpose of a safety harness? In its simplicity, it is to keep you safe when working in an environment that is prone to injuries from a fall. However, different harnesses provide a solution for different needs. There are four classes of fall protection equipment. 

Class 1: Largely composed of body belts their main function is to prevent falls, or arrest them completely within 3 feet by restraining a person in a hazardous work position.

Class 2: Mosty chest-mounted harnesses and they are only to be used when there is limited fall hazard risk.

Class 3: This is where we find the full-body harness. Used to arrest severe free falls.

Class 4: Lastly we have suspension belts for supporting a suspended person without cutting off their circulation. Used when a person is in an elevated position for longer periods.

There are some arguments against using a Class 1 body belt. OSHA will not write a citation for using a body belt unless explicitly specified. OSHA does however strongly recommend rather using a full-body harness when working in elevated areas where fall protection is needed. This is mostly because if you are left hanging from a body belt you are in a race against asphyxiation. A fully grown adult female has around 2 minutes and 30 seconds before she dies of asphyxiation when using a body belt. Compare that to the 19 to 29 minutes when using a full-body harness.

 

What to consider when buying a safety harness

When choosing a safety harness we strongly recommend getting in contact with an expert that can help you with finding the right fit for you and your work environment. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to make an educated choice of your own, here are a few things to consider.

First off you will need to think about the type of work you will be doing when wearing the harness. Will you be working in an elevated position for extended periods? A sit harness will probably be the best fit for you. Will you be confined to smaller spaces while working? A confined space harness is most likely what you are looking for. Then there are multi-purpose harnesses that excel in several different applications. This all depends on your needs.

 

Padding and fit

Another thing to consider is padding and fit. Safety harnesses have historically never been the most comfortable thing to wear but today a lot of manufacturers use padding to relieve the discomfort. In the same vein, the fit of your harness should be comfortable, but more importantly safe. We all have different shaped bodies and manufacturers try to accommodate this by having adjustable straps and removable padding but you still need to be aware of the different sizes to ensure the harness is neither too small, giving you an uncomfortable fit, or too big, risking an unsafe working environment.

 

Webbing

Yet another big improvement in safety harnesses is the webbing. The webbings main purpose is to withstand the pressures exuded on it. We have seen developments in liquid repellent webbing, heat resistant webbing as well as elastic webbing to improve the ergonomics and comfortability of the harness. The choice of webbing mostly depends on your needs but a good webbing can definitely relieve you of some headaches in the future.

 

Specialized and integrated features

The last thing to consider is specialized accessories and other integrated features. Some specialized features might include an added life vest for working above water or an added hi-viz jacket to the harness. These will oftentimes be very specific and might not bring any added value to everyone, but if your work requires it, these specialized accessories can be a lifesaver.

Integrated features on the other hand usually are not as specific and can provide value or extra safety for a broad spectrum of industries but they are in no way required. These might include features such as:

The spring-loaded dorsal D-rings stay upright making them easier to reach than other conventional designs. The dorsal D-ring is the main attachment point for lanyards, vertical lifelines, and retractables. So when a fall occurs the D-ring on your back will be the one holding you.

Impact indicators on the dorsal D-ring can provide an alert that the harness has been exposed to a bigger fall. While these indicators should not replace normally scheduled inspections of the safety equipment, they may provide some valuable insight if a D-ring should be replaced or not.