PPE Fall Protection Harness

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# Full body harnesses (cont.) ## Webbing Look for frayed, cracked, cut, burned, or damaged webbing, and loose or broken stitching. ## D-rings Look for bent, cracked, nicked, or gouged rings. ## Manufacturer's label Inspect the manufacturer's label on the harness. The manufacturer's label on a CSA-approved full body harness will contain the following information: - Manufacturer or vendor identification • Size of the harness • Date the harness was manufactured • Model number Some harnesses are designed to serve more than one purpose. Check the manufacturer's label for the harness's classification. Group A - Fall arresting Group D Controlled descent Group E-Confined entry (raising and lowering) Group L - Ladder climbing Group P - Work positioning Note: A full body harness that meets CSA Standard Z259.10 is acceptable to WorkSafeBC. ## Putting on a full body harness Adjust all hardware and straps so the harness fits snugly, but still lets you move freely. Tuck in all loose straps so they don't snag or cause you to trip. Hook on to the harness D-ring (marked "A") designed to arrest falls. ## Lanyards and anchors A lanyard is a flexible line of webbing or a synthetic or wire rope used to secure a safety belt or full body harness to a lifeline or anchor. ## Using the right lanyard A lanyard that meets the requirements of CSA Z259.1 is acceptable to WorkSafeBC. Keep lanyards as short as possible to reduce the distance you could fall. Try to arrange the lanyard to limit a free fall to no more than 1.2 m (4 ft.) in a fall arrest situation. When using a wire rope lanyard for fall arrest, a personal shock absorber must be incorporated as part of your personal fall protection system in order to keep the arrest force at a safe level. An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment -6-

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# Crane- and derrick-suspended personnel platforms (cont.) ## What is a fall protection system? (cont.) • Catch platforms. Though not covered in Subdivision 3/M, catch platforms, which consist of a stable platform and an attached standard guardrail, can protect workers when other systems or methods are not feasible. • Covers for holes. Simple and effective when they are capable of supporting, without failure, at least twice the weight of employees, equipment, materials that may be imposed on the cover at one time, and are properly installed. Rigid covers prevent workers from falling through temporary holes, openings, and skylights in walking/working surfaces. - Fences and barricades. Use a fence or similar barricade to keep people away from wells, pits, and shafts or other similar excavation. ## What to consider when selecting a fall protection system Appropriate fall protection systems have the following characteristics: • They are affordable. • They offer the least interference with workers' tasks or activities. • They prevent falls or protect workers who do fall from serious injury and death. Wherever possible, eliminate fall hazards. Identify hazards that you can't eliminate and evaluate each one. The evaluation will help you determine appropriate fall protection systems for your worksite. Consider the following: • What is the fall distance from the walking/working surface to the next lower level? - How many workers are exposed to the hazard? • What tasks and work areas are associated with the hazard? • How will the workers move - horizontally, vertically, or in both directions to do their tasks? • Are secure anchorages available or can they be easily installed near the hazard? - Are there other hazards near the work area, such as overhead power lines? • How will workers be promptly rescued if they are suspended in a personal fall-arrest system? ## Personal fall-arrest systems A personal fall-arrest system (PFAS) generally consists of an anc…

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# Full body harnesses (cont.) ## Using the right full body harness A full body harness designed to arrest falls should have • A back-mounted D-ring located between the shoulder blades • The letter "A" stenciled on each shoulder strap below the D-ring • An arrow stenciled above each letter "A" pointing up at the D-ring The arrows on the shoulder straps point to the only D-ring on the harness designed to safely arrest a fall. This is a full body harness worn to arrest falls. Note that the D-ring is located between the shoulder blades. ## Inspecting your full body harness Inspect your harness before each use. Check the buckles, the webbing, the D-rings, and the manufacturer's label for additional user information. If the harness is damaged or worn, do not wear it. ## Buckles Many full body harnesses have interlocking buckles called friction buckles. Look for bent, cracked, or nicked buckles. Test the buckles to make sure the coupling is secure. An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment -5-

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# What are elements to consider when writing a fall protection plan? (cont.) ## Who has responsibilities for fall hazards? (cont.) - Inspect your personal fall protection system before each use. - Protect the protective equipment from damage where possible (e.g., make sure the lifeline or lanyard is protected from sharp edges, heat, flame, or corrosive substances). - Notify the supervisor or employer of any broken, defective, or missing protective equipment. - Be aware of your right to refuse unsafe work. ## Does the fall protection plan include training for those working at heights? Many jurisdictions require workers who will be working at heights to receive training. Ontario and Newfoundland both require this training to be delivered by approved providers. Please see the Fall Protection - Legislation for Training Requirements for more details. Even if training is not specifically required for those working at heights, it is still a very important part of fall protection. Selecting the proper personal protective equipment is complex and understanding how to wear and use the equipment is not always intuitive. Workers and employers must understand how and when their equipment should be maintained, and how to identify damage or incorrectly assembled systems. Users must also have a clear understanding of how to work safely on equipment such as elevated platforms, lifts and scaffolds. ## Does the fall protection plan include a rescue plan? Often after a fall is arrested, the worker remains suspended in the air and will need to be rescued by others. In other situations, the fallen worker could have injuries that require first- aid. A rescue plan will detail how to return fallen workers to a place of safety while keeping rescuers safe. Like other forms of emergency planning, it is essential that everyone understands their role and what they must do after a fall. Before beginning the at heights work, discuss the situation with local emergency services to see if…

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# What are elements to consider when writing a fall protection plan? (cont.) ## Who has responsibilities for fall hazards? (cont.) - Educate and train workers and supervisors to understand and properly fulfill their role in fall protection and prevention. Workers should have easy access to policies and procedures so the directions can be reviewed when needed. - Make sure workers are instructed in all of the fall-protection methods or systems used and, in the post-fall rescue procedure before being allowed into an area where there is a risk of falling. - Make sure the fall-arresting system consists of the required components, including full body harness, self-retracting lanyard, energy absorbing lanyard or lanyard and energy absorber, and appropriate anchor point or horizontal life line. - Make sure all protective equipment, clothing or devices are provided, used, and maintained in good condition. - Make sure PPE is used effectively according to the policies and procedures, legal requirements, and the manufacturer's specifications. - Review and amend the fall protection plan when necessary, on a regular schedule. - Review and amend the fall protection plan after relevant workplace changes. - Review and improve the fall protection plan after each fall or near-miss incident. A supervisor must: - Make sure workers follow applicable legal requirements and the workplace policy and procedures regarding fall protection. - Inform workers about fall hazards and how to work safely at heights. - Make sure workers use and know how to wear the appropriate fall protection equipment. - Act on information provided by workers (e.g., safety concerns about the situation, when equipment is broken, defective, or missing, etc.). - Participate in fall protection planning where relevant and when requested. A worker must: worker must: - Alert the supervisor about previous unidentified fall hazards before beginning or continuing any work. - Participate in fall pr…

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# Contents (cont.) ## Putting on a safety belt Before putting the belt on, make sure you have the right size. Fasten the belt snugly around your waist. Wear it high on your waist, not low around the hips or pelvic area. Position the belt buckle at the front of your body, and make sure the belt tail is secure in the belt loop and not hanging out loosely. # Full body harnesses ## When to use a full body harness When using personal fall protection equipment, wear a full body harness if you are at risk of falling. A full body harness consists of straps passed over the shoulders, across the chest, and around the legs. In a fall, a full body harness protects you more than a safety belt, because it distributes the force of impact over a greater area of your body. An Introduction to Personal Fall Protection Equipment - 4-