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Personal fall protection systems are the last line of defense between workers and a nasty injury or even death. Despite advances in the design of safety harnesses, falls from heights remain one of the leading causes of death on construction sites. Even the most sophisticated fall protection equipment is worthless if it is not used properly. By following these 6 easy steps, you will ensure that your safety harness is in good condition and is worn properly. It could save your life. Step 1: Untangle safety harnessHold the harness by the D-ring on the back strap. Shake the harness straight and organize the straps and buckles. Step 2: Check safety harness for damageIf the chest, leg, or waist straps are buckled, unbuckle them and release straps. This is a good time to check that the buckles and other hardware are firmly attached to the straps. Look for any exposed buckle springs, which can loosen or become inadvertently disengaged. Do not use any harness with cut, frayed, or otherwise weakened straps or sharp hardware that can cut into the straps, damaging them to the point where they will not hold you if you fall. Step 3: Put on the harnessSlip the shoulder straps over shoulders, like a pair of suspenders. Adjust the fit so that the D-ring is positioned in the middle of the back, between the shoulder blades. Make sure the D-ring is large enough to accommodate the appropriate lanyard for the harness. Properly positioning the D-ring will ensure you are suspended upright until help arrives. Step 4: Connect and tighten the leg straps
Adjust the leg straps to produce a tight, but not binding, fit. The straps should not be so tight that they prevent you from standing up straight. The fit is correct if you can slide your hand between your thigh and the strap. If the harness has a waist strap, fasten it now. Step 5: Buckle and adjust the safety harnessBuckle the chest strap and adjust the fit so that the strap lays across the middle of the chest. Again, the chest and shoulder straps should be adjusted for a snug fit so the harness stays in place in the event of a head-first fall. During a fall, a loose chest strap can be dislodged and wind up around the wearer’s neck, posing a choking hazard. Step 6: Make sure the safety harness is snug but not restrictiveOnce everything is connected and buckled, make final adjustments so that everything is snug, but your movement is not restricted. Tuck any strap tails into the loop keepers to prevent them from snagging on equipment or building materials. ConclusionPower Bolt and Tool carries a full line of fall protection equipment for all sizes and jobs, including polyester models for use around chemicals and harnesses, and lanyards with little metal content to protect against arc flashes. All of the harnesses, lanyards, and connectors we carry comply with all applicable ANSI and OSHA standards. Our experts can help you find the components that work best for you. Simply give us a call toll-free at 888-514-5151 or contact us today with any requests and/or questions. And, for more information, please download the Fall Protection Guide: 6 Easy Steps That Could Save Your Life. In the construction industry, working at heights is a standard part of the job. But with increased height also comes an increased risk of falling. Consequently, falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, taking the lives of more than 359 construction workers in 2014. Personal fall arrest systems body harnesses, lanyards, and connectors are one method of protecting workers from injury and death by falls. Fall arrest systems aren’t foolproof, however. Faulty or misused fall harnesses can be just as dangerous as no fall protection at all. 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 steps for inspecting and putting on fall arrest harnesses so that you stay safe while working at heights. In the photo of today: you will learn safety tips of Basic Steps of wearing a full-body harnessHow to Inspect a Harness Before Using It
How to Put on a Fall Arrest Harness
Watch a worker properly inspect and put on a fall arrest harness in this video:
Download the Infographic8 Basic Steps of wearing a full-body harness More photos: About Post AuthorContinue ReadingWhat is the first action that should be taken if you fall from an elevated stand?Signal for help. Climb back onto the platform as quickly as possible. Take actions to avoid suspension trauma if you must wait for rescue. If you do not have a suspension relief strap, keep moving your legs.
What should be done with a harness that has been in a fall?Many fall protection companies recommend cutting up harnesses that have been deployed during a fall, which in turn removes the temptation to re-use potentially unsafe PPE. “If you've fallen, the harness has served its purpose,” says Ryan Spikowski, Southwest Regional Manager at Diversified Fall Protection.
Which is a rule for using a full body harness?Personal fall protection systems must be worn with the attachment point of the body harness located in the center of the employee's back near shoulder level.
Can you use a harness after a fall?Any harness subjected to a fall arrest must be taken out of service immediately. Do not use the harness after the impact event. It must be labeled as unusable and removed from service until destroyed.
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