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Harness

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Toolbox Talk: Full Body Harness Safety

Date: [DATE] Duration: [DURATION] minutes Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME] Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

The objective of this toolbox talk is to ensure that all participants understand the importance of using a full body harness correctly, the standards it must meet, and the procedures for its safe use and maintenance.

Introduction

A full body harness is a critical component of a personal fall arrest system, designed to protect workers from falls when working at heights. Proper use and maintenance of a full body harness can prevent serious injuries or fatalities.

Presenter Note: Engage the audience by asking if anyone has personal experience related to using a harness.

Key Points

  • Importance of Standards: Full body harnesses must comply with specific standards such as CSA Standard Z259.10-18, ANSI/ASSE Standard Z359.1-2007, or CEN Standard EN 361:2007 to ensure safety and reliability [1].
  • Proper Fit: A harness must be properly fitted to the worker to ensure effectiveness and comfort [2].
  • Inspection: Regular inspection of the harness for wear, damage, and other defects is crucial before each use [3].
  • Training: Workers must be trained in the safe use of the full body harness, including how to don and adjust it properly [2].
  • Connection Points: Ensure that the harness is connected to a secure anchor point or lifeline to prevent falls [2].

Hazard Identification

Common hazards related to the use of full body harnesses include:

  • Improper Fit: Can lead to discomfort and reduced effectiveness, increasing the risk of injury.
  • Worn or Damaged Harness: May fail under load, leading to falls.
  • Incorrect Connection: Can result in detachment from the safety system during a fall.

Presenter Note: Encourage participants to share any additional hazards they've encountered.

Control Measures

  • Elimination: Avoid working at heights where possible.
  • Engineering Controls: Use guardrails or other barriers to prevent falls.
  • Administrative Controls: Implement training programs and regular safety audits.
  • PPE: Ensure all workers use a properly fitted and inspected full body harness.

Safe Work Procedures

  1. Inspect the harness for any signs of wear or damage before use.
  2. Adjust the harness to fit snugly, ensuring all buckles are secure.
  3. Attach the harness to a secure anchor point or lifeline.
  4. Double-check all connections before starting work.
  5. Follow all safety protocols and procedures while working at heights.

Presenter Note: If possible, demonstrate the safe work procedure or use visual aids.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

  • Full Body Harness: Must be worn at all times when working at heights.
  • Lanyard: Connects the harness to the anchor point; must be inspected for damage.
  • Shock Absorber: Reduces the impact force in the event of a fall.

Real-World Example or Case Study

A worker was saved from a potentially fatal fall because their full body harness was properly fitted and connected to a secure anchor point. The incident highlights the importance of following safety procedures and using equipment that meets safety standards.

Presenter Note: Ask participants if they can relate this example to their own experiences.

Group Discussion

Discuss the following questions:

  1. What are the key features to check during a harness inspection?
  2. How can we ensure that all workers are properly trained in harness use?
  3. What are the consequences of using a harness that does not meet safety standards?

Presenter Note: Encourage active participation and facilitate the discussion.

Emergency Procedures

  1. Stop work immediately if a fall occurs.
  2. Call for emergency medical assistance.
  3. Follow the company's emergency response plan.
  4. Ensure the affected worker receives medical evaluation.

Questions and Answers

Encourage participants to ask questions and provide answers to common questions related to the topic.

  • Q: What should be done if a harness is found to be defective?

A: Remove it from service immediately and replace it with a compliant harness.

  • Q: How often should harnesses be inspected?

A: Before each use and at least once every three months by a trained inspector.

  • Q: Can a harness be used after a fall?

A: No, it must be removed from service and inspected by a competent person.

Summary

  • Ensure harnesses meet safety standards.
  • Proper fit and regular inspection are crucial.
  • Training is essential for safe use.
  • Always connect to a secure anchor point.

Action Items

  1. Review and update training programs for harness use.
  2. Conduct regular inspections of all harnesses.
  3. Ensure all workers are aware of emergency procedures.

Remember: Safety is a team effort. Always use your harness correctly and report any issues immediately.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.

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3 source record(s)

Sources used for this answer

[1] Occupational Health and Safety Code

Page 323

Open source document

Source excerpt

## Full body harness - 834 An employer must ensure that a full body harness is used during industrial rope access work and if manufactured on or after March 31, 2023 is approved to - (a) NFPA Standard 1983, Standard on Fire Service Life Safety Rope and System Components , 2006 Edition, as a Class III safety harness, - (b) CEN Standard EN 361: 2007, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height Full body harnesses , - (c) ANSI/ASSE Standard Z359.1-2007, Safety requirements for personal fall arrest systems, subsystems and components, or - (d) CSA Standard Z259.10-18, Full body harnesses . AR 191/2021 s834;242/2022 ## Connecting components 835 An employer must ensure that connecting components manufactured on or after July 1, 2009 used in industrial rope access work consist of carabiners, D rings, O rings, oval rings and self locking connectors approved to - (a) CEN Standard EN 362: 2004, Personal protective equipment against falls from height . Connectors , - (b) CEN Standard EN [redacted postal code]: 1998, Mountaineering equipment - Connector - Safety requirements and test methods , - (c) UIAA Standard 121: 2004, Mountaineering and Climbing Equipment - Connectors , - (d) CSA Standard Z259.12-16 (R2021), Connecting components for personal fall-arrest systems (PFAS) , or - (e) NFPA Standard 1983, Standard on Fire Service Life Safety Rope, Harness, and Hardware , 2006 Edition. AR 191/2021 s835;202/2024 ## Connecting components 836 An employer must ensure that carabiners used as part of an industrial rope access system are - (a) a screw gate type, or - (b) self locking and self closing, requiring at least 2 consecutive, deliberate actions to open. ## Ascenders 837 An employer must ensure that an ascender manufactured on or after July 1, 2009 used in an industrial rope access system is approved to - (a) CEN Standard EN 567: 1997, Mountaineering equipment - Rope clamps - Safety requirements and test methods , - (b) UIAA Standard 126: 2004, Mountain…

[2] Spider by Brand Safway: Swing Stage Operator’s Manual

Page 20

Open source document

Source excerpt

## Accessory equipment ## Safety equipment Read the pages at the beginning of the manual. An independant safety line must be used by each person working on the scaffold. Each person must wear an approved safety harness equipped with a lanyard connected to a rope grab device. Full body harness is recommended because of its ability to withstand greater shock without injury. ## Independent safety line If the scaffold has a fixed roof or if using multi-level scaffolds, an independent safety line must be attached to the scaffold hoist units. Each person should wear a safety harness with a lanyard connected to a trolley line. Secure trolley line to the chain guard at each work basket. <!-- image --> - 1. Rig a 5/16-in. wire rope the length of the complete travel of the scaffold at the same place as the suspension line. Do not rig to the same rigging as the suspension line. - 2. Attach the Secondary Safety Line Bracket Assembly (008478-1) to the transfer chain area (the steel guard bracket below the top wire rope guide assembly) of the Spider hoist unit per the instructions provided with the assembly. ## Harness - · Inspect the harness material. Hold the belt in an inverted 'U' with the body side toward the body and hands 6-in. apart. Inspect the entire length, looking for frayed edges, broken fibers, pulled stitches, cuts, or chemical damage. Broken strands appear as tufts on the webbing surface. Broken, cut or burned stitches are easily seen. - · Inspect buckles and D-rings. Make sure both are firmly attached to the belt. Rivets should be tight and rigid and bases and burrs should be flat against the material. Bent rivets will fail under stress. Inspect condition of Dring rivets and metal wear pads. Discolored, split, or cracked rivets indicate chemical corrosion. Buckle tongues should be undamaged, overlap the buckle frame, and move freely back and forth. The roller - should turn freely on the frame. Look for sharp edges. On friction buckles, make sure outer and…

[3] Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 (Sask. Reg. 10/2020)

Page 62

Open source document

Source excerpt

S-15.1 REG 10 ## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 ## Personal fall arrest systems - 7-16 (1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a personal fall arrest system and connecting linkage required by these regulations are approved and maintained. - (2) An employer or contractor shall ensure that a personal fall arrest system required by these regulations: - (a) prevents a worker from falling more than 1.2 metres without a shock absorber; - (b) if a shock absorber is used, prevents a worker from falling more than 2 metres or the limit specified in the manufacturer's specifications, whichever is less; - (c) applies a peak fall-arrest force not greater than 8 kilonewtons to a worker; and - (d) is fastened to a lifeline or to a secure anchor point that has a breaking strength of at least 22.2 kilonewtons. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s7-16. ## Full-body harness - 7-17 If a full-body harness is used, an employer or contractor shall ensure that: - (a) the full-body harness and connecting linkage are approved and maintained; - (b) the full-body harness is properly fitted to the worker; - (c) the worker is trained in the safe use of the full-body harness; - (d) all metal parts of the full-body harness and connecting linkage are of drop-forged steel that is 22.2 kilonewtons proof tested; - (e) a protective thimble is used to protect ropes or straps from chafing whenever a rope or strap is connected to an eye or a D-ring used in the full-body harness or connecting linkage; and - (f) the connecting linkage is attached to a personal fall arrest system, lifeline or secure anchor point to prevent the worker from falling more than 1.2 metres. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s7-17. ## Snap hooks on personal fall arrest system 7-18 If a snap hook is used as an integral component of a personal fall arrest system, connecting linkage, full-body harness or lifeline, an employer or contractor shall ensure that the snap hook is self-locking and is approved a…

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