Retrofit Lanyard Keepers for EPIC & ELEMENT Harnesses

BUYER'S GUIDE

Choosing, Wearing and Inspecting a Full Body Harness

The full body harness is the body support part of an active fall arrest system. It spreads the impact forces across the body during a fall and keeps the fallen worker suspended upright, while still giving enough freedom of movement to do the job safely.

1. Pick the attachment points for the task: the dorsal D-ring between the shoulder blades is for fall arrest, the sternal D-ring is for guided type fall arresters when climbing or entering a confined space, the lateral D-rings are for work positioning only, and the ventral point is for rope access and rescue.
2. Fall arrest attachment points are marked with an 'A' label; 'A/2' means two similar points must be used together as one attachment point.
3. Shoulder rescue loops or D-rings take a spreader bar for confined space entry, exit and retrieval.
4. Check the size against the height and weight chart, then put the harness on by holding it from the dorsal D-ring, closing the chest, waist and leg buckles and adjusting every strap to fit.
5. Inspect before every use: labels intact and legible, D-rings and buckles undamaged and clicking when engaged, impact indicator not released, and webbing free of cuts, frays, burns, mould or discolouration.
6. Have the harness examined by the manufacturer or an authorised representative at least every 12 months (EN 365), and withdraw it from use once it has arrested a fall.

Summarised from the manufacturer's catalogue. Selection must follow your site risk assessment and the competent person's judgement.