Safety Harnesses

Why are safety harnesses important?

When working at height, it’s vitally important to ensure you take appropriate safety precautions to reduce the risk of a fall or injury. Safety harnesses allow you to anchor yourself to a fixed object, ensuring you won’t hit the ground in the event of a fall. 

If a fall occurs, the safety harness will not only prevent you from hitting the ground, but also evenly distribute your weight across all four of your limbs. This significantly reduces the risk of injury while providing maximum protection. 

Safety harnesses also allow for full freedom of movement when working at height, allowing you to retain your full focus on the task at hand.

How to use a safety harness

To get started, inspect the harness for any signs of damage to ensure it’s fit for use. You should ensure the fabric is not torn or loosely-stitched, while the metal & plastic components should be free of rust or cracks. 

Once the harness has cleared inspection, unbuckle the harness and release the straps. Put your arms through the shoulder straps and adjust the harness until the D ring is situated in the centre of the back. Once the fit has been adjusted, connect the chest strap and ensure the harness is tight and comfortable on the upper body. 

Next, buckle the leg straps around your thighs and ensure the fabric fits tightly, while still allowing you to stand up straight and execute full freedom of movement. Finally, adjust all straps on the harness to ensure a snug fit. 

Once your harness has been fitted, you can then connect it to your safety lanyard.