Fall protection equipment: All about the safety harness

A safety harness is PPE intended for workers on construction sites when working at height. Its role is to prevent the risk of falling by restraining the worker and keeping him in a vertical position.

However, it is important to know that an employee equipped with a safety harness must always be accompanied so that we can intervene quickly in the event of an accident.

Why wear a safety harness?

Working at height is a dangerous and very difficult job. This is why manufacturers of PPE produce specific equipment with fall arrest systems such as safety harnesses. security. These accessories are essential when working on ladders and scaffolding. Moreover, European legislation requires the free provision of these PPE by the employer.

How long does it last?

A safety harness has a maximum lifespan of 10 years according to its date of manufacture. It is essential to note the intensity of its use and the environment to which it is exposed. Indeed, these criteria can be factors that reduce its longevity. If the protective equipment has suffered a fall from a considerable height, it must be replaced immediately even if it is not damaged.

When should a safety harness be worn?

Regarding the use of a fall arrest harness, the employer should be aware that every operator working at a height of more than 3 meters must wear a harness. You should also know that this protective equipment is worn individually.

How to put on your safety harness?

A fall arrest harness prevents the risk of falls and accidents.

Site harness for working at height

For maximum safety, you must check each part of the equipment starting with the upper part, then the sub-pelvic part. Then you need to hook the dorsal and sternal hook points. For optimal support and protection, the harness lanyards must be fitted with energy absorbers that comply with EN 355 standard.

Professional safety harness for roofers on a roof

The risk of accidents when working on sloping roofs is quite high. To carry out your task in complete safety, it is therefore ideal to use a positioning harness. Unlike a seat belt, this equipment has straps that you must adjust well at the shoulders and at the top of the thighs. As for the D-ring, it must be attached to the rope which is placed in the back. Then, you must install the work rope well above the roof before attaching it to your harness.

How to attach a rope to a safety harness on a roof?

There are several ways to tie a rope with this device. It just depends on its usage. For fall protections, you must have an EN 353 slider on rope.

If it's for a hold, there are two options. For an evolving descender, an EN 12841 type C rope is required. For maintenance work, you must use an EN 358 adjustable lanyard. Then all you have to do is connect the chosen rope along your harness.

What are the criteria for buying a harness or seat belt?

The most important points when buying a fall arrest harness are size, comfort and anchor points.

The size of a harness ranges from S to XL. By choosing the right size, you benefit from excellent support and good freedom of movement.

To ensure worker comfort, the safety harness features a high mobility with a rotation system. There are also models with a harness or a holding rope. Thanks to a backrest, your back will be protected and the straps won't rub.

Anchor points are very useful protective devices to connect the fixed point. A harness must therefore have straps and adjustable straps so that you can adjust it to your morphology, as well as anchoring loops.

Regulations and standards for using a fall arrest harness

According to article R. 4321-1 of the Labor Code, the employer must provide fall protection safety harnesses suitable for its employees when working at height. It is also his role to give them practical and theoretical instructions on these personal protective equipment.

The EN 361 standard governs fall arrest safety belts. It indicates the requirements and test methods for safety harnesses. As for the EN 361 standard, it only focuses on fall protection systems. On the other hand, in the case of pruners, their harness must comply with the EN 361 and EN 358 standards, because they need support to carry out their tasks serenely.