In the construction industry, falls are the leading cause of workplace deaths. According to OSHA, “Each year, falls are responsible for more than 600 deaths in the construction industry and more than 1,000 deaths in the general industry”.
There are different kinds of harnesses available out there in the market. While these harnesses are used for different purposes and to provide safety for different users, they all have some common features.
We know how important it is to stay safe when working at heights, which is why we have reviewed the best fall protection harnesses.
Invalid table id.Here are reviews of 4 of the best fall protection harnesses
#1. Malta Dynamics Warthog Full Body Harness with Tongue Buckle
The Warthog Full Body Harness with Tongue Buckle Legs (X-Small), by Malta Dynamics is a complete fall protection harness system that provides full body support with a full body harness and adjustable leg straps for added safety.
The harness has a wide, padded chest plate with two adjusting straps for comfort and support, as well as a padded, contoured, tongue buckle leg strap with two adjusting straps for added safety.
The harness is ANSI/OSHA compliant and is a full body harness that protects the worker from head to foot. It is fully adjustable and does not require any special maintenance.
The harness is made of polyester webbing and comes in sizes X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large.
#2. 3M 1113121 DBI-SALA ExoFit NEX Construction Harness
This ExoFit NEX Construction is a highly durable, lightweight, and comfortable harness that is designed to provide fall protection for any worker that may have to work at heights.
The harness has locking quick connect buckles on the leg loops and connecting straps buckle that you can release with just one hand.
This harness is made with a durable nylon webbing for strength and resistance to abrasion.
The wide straps help to distribute the weight and prevent chafing. The fall protection harness has a lightweight design that is comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
The harness has a fully adjustable fit and is easy to put on and take off. This harness has a fully padded back and side D-rings that provide support and comfort when you are lifting or working overhead.
#3. Palmer Safety Fall Protection Full Body 5 point Harness
The Palmer Safety Fall Protection Full Body 5-points Harness is compliant with all OSHA regulations for fall protection harness designed to protect you from falls.
It comes with a full body strap system that is designed to distribute the load over the entire body.
Mainly it has five points of attachment to the body–two at the waist and two at the shoulders. Each of these points has a padded back support for comfort.
The back support is adjustable for a custom fit. The five points of attachment are connected by a quick connect buckle that allows for easy on and off the harness.
The harness is made from a high-tenacity polyester webbing that is designed to be comfortable and durable.
#4. Guardian Fall Protection (Qualcraft) 00815 BOS-T50 Bucket of Safe-Tie
The harness is designed to meet or exceed all applicable industry standards, including the new ANSI Z359.14-2014 standards for fall protection.
It is compact and comfortable to wear and can be adjusted for a snug fit. The harness has a steel D-ring that is attached to a lanyard, which is attached to a load.
The harness is made with webbing, polyester, polypropylene, and nylon, making it a durable piece of equipment.
It features two Velcro closures to ensure a secure fit, and the D-ring is equipped with a quick-release snap for easy detachment.
Fall protection harness buying guide
Most people are aware that harnesses are a vital part of fall protection, but they may not know how to choose the right fall protection harness for their needs.
There are a wide variety of fall protection harnesses to choose from, each with their own functions, pros, and cons. The right harness will depend on the type of work you are doing, your height, and the weight you will be carrying. In this buying guide, we will explain all the things you need to know before you decide on a fall protection harness.
When purchasing a fall protection harness, make sure that you purchase the correct size. It should fit snugly and not too lose. It is advised that you purchase the fall protection harness 1/2 to 1 inch bigger, as it will shrink over time.
Determine your weight. Your weight can be anywhere between 100 and 300 pounds.
Checklist You may want to consider the following questions before you buy a fall protection harness. · Are you wanting to use the fall protection harness for personal use or professional use? ·
How long will you be using the fall protection harness for? · What is your height? (Your height will affect the length of the harness you will need.) · What is your weight? (Your weight will affect the length of the harness you will need.) ·
What material do you want your harness made of? (There is metal, leather, and others like nylon, and so on. Be sure to find out the strength and kinds of material the harness is made of.) Instructions
Here are some things to consider before buying a fall protection harness. 1. The harness should have a ANSI Z359.1 label; 2. It should have a sewn-in loop on the back; 3. The structure should be made of webbing; 4. The appropriate fall protection harness should have been tested by an independent lab.
How do fall protection harnesses work?
The full body protection harness has become the most popular system used throughout the world in the workplace to prevent fall injuries.
Whether you’re hiking, working at heights or installing a new roof, the fall protection harness can be your best friend.
It consists of an anchorage point, a lanyard and a harness. They are designed to keep the user safe from either a fall or a shock load.
The shock load is a sudden force, which is usually caused by the sudden stop of a fall and can be extremely dangerous. The fall protection harness is attached to the user at the anchorage point.
This is usually done by clipping the harness to a rope, but it is also possible to clip it to an anchorage point on a building. The anchorage point is a part of the building that is strong enough to take the weight of the person and the fall protection harness
What is the OSHA standard for fall protection?
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a standard for fall protection for workers who are at risk of falling.
The OSHA regulation, found in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.66, requires the use of a personal fall arrest system (fall protection harness) to protect workers from falls of 6 feet (1.8 m) or more, as well as other provisions to protect workers from falls.
This is a safety device designed to prevent the user from falling from a great height. Because there are various types of fall protection harnesses on the market, it is essential that the user knows which one to select for their job.
The OSHA regulation covers most American workers; however, some workers are exempt from the OSHA regulation and are covered by different state and local regulations. For these workers, compliance requirements may be different.
How long are fall protection harnesses good for?
A harness should be replaced when it is damaged, or if it is a certain date ( depend on the manufacturers ). It is a good idea to check the harness every year.
Even if your harness does not show any signs of damage, manufacturers suggest replacing your harness every 2-3 years.
They are designed to last for shorter periods of time because the highest risk equipment has to meet the highest standards of performance.
How often do fall protection harnesses need to be replaced?
Fall protection harness systems should be regularly inspected to ensure they are safe for use, and that the webbing is still in good condition.
In general, your fall protection harness should be replaced every 2-3 years. There are also other factors that could affect how often you need to replace your fall protection harness. If you regularly use your fall protection harness for work, you’ll need to replace it more often than someone who uses it occasionally.
Webbing should not appear brittle or cracked, and it should not be faded or damaged in any way.
This is especially true if the harness system has been exposed to sunlight or if it has been used regularly.
The webbing should also be replaced immediately if it is cut, ripped, shows signs of fraying, or if it is older than five years.