Safety harnesses are important safety devices for anyone working at height. They provide a measure of fall protection and can help prevent serious injury in the event of a fall. This blog post will discuss how to use a safety harness correctly and highlight some of the key things to keep in mind when using one.
What is Safety Harness?
A safety harness is a device worn by someone working at height, intended to prevent them from falling. The harness is attached to an anchor point, such as scaffolding or other structure, and the worker can move about without fear of falling.
When using a safety harness, it is important to ensure that it is fitted correctly. The harness should fit snugly and the straps should be securely fastened. You must also connect the harness to a suitable anchor point. This could be a fixed structure, such as scaffolding or a beam, or a dynamic anchor point, such as a colleague belaying you.
Once your safety harness is properly fitted and secured to an anchor point, you should be aware of the dangers of working at height. Falls are the leading cause of death in construction work, so it is important to exercise caution when working at any height. Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings and never take unnecessary risks. If you are unsure about anything, stop and seek help from a qualified supervisor.
How To Use Safety Harness?
Using a safety harness is relatively simple. First, the worker must identify a suitable anchor point to fix the harness. This anchor point must be strong enough to support the worker's weight in the event of a fall. Once the anchor point has been identified, the worker can put on the safety harness.
The harness will have several straps, which must be positioned correctly to provide maximum protection. The worker will then need to attach the harness to the anchor point using a lanyard or carabiner.
Once the safety harness is in place, the worker can begin their work. It is important to ensure that the harness is always worn while working at height, as it offers the only protection against a fall.
You should always wear a safety harness if working at height. A safety harness is the best way to protect yourself from a fall and can potentially save your life.
Working at height is a standard part of work in the construction industry. But as height increases, the risk of falling also increases. As a result, falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Personal fall arrest systems – harnesses, lanyards and connectors – are one method of protecting workers from injury and death from falls.
However, fall arrest systems are not foolproof. Faulty or improperly used fall arrest harnesses can be just as dangerous as a lack of fall protection. But knowing what to look for when inspecting a fall arrest system and how to properly strap on a harness can save your life.
Here are the steps for inspecting and putting on your fall arrest harnesses so you stay safe while working at height.
How To Inspect A Harness Before Using It
- Grab the harness by its D-ring in the back.
- Gently rock the harness to drop the straps into place.
- Make sure the buckles are unfastened.
- Look for any damage, such as worn, frayed or missing lines, cracked webbing, or foreign material on the harness.
- Check the metal band fasteners and D-ring to make sure they are not cracked or warped.
- If your harness uses eyelets, make sure they are securely fastened and are not deformed or otherwise damaged.
- Make sure the buckle tabs are securely fastened and not bent.
How to put on a fall arrest harness
- Slip the harness over your shoulders like a vest.
- Make sure the D-ring is in the center of your back, directly between your shoulder blades.
- Pull each leg strap up and fasten the buckles together.
- Stand straight and adjust the length of the side body straps as needed to ensure there is no slack.
- Fasten the chest strap mid-chest at the top.
- Adjust the chest strap as needed to take out any slack.
- Make sure the shoulder straps and leg straps are snug while still allowing for maximum freedom of movement.
- Take out the excess slack by tightening the straps into the buckle.
- Make sure the loose ends of the straps are threaded through the strap retainers.
- Keeping your hand flat, you should be able to slip your fingers under the leg straps.