Employee Login
2601 Market Place, Suite 200, Harrisburg, PA 17110   |   CALL US: 717.657.0909
SAFETY GUIDES THE PROCESS. ALWAYS.

Safety Talks

We are committed to construction safety. It is a commitment and the first core value that we have built into our culture.

Personal Fall Arrest Systems Part #3: Harnesses

Jan 6, 2025

HARNESSES:

OSHA Standard Subpart M – Snap-Hooks – 1926.502(d)(15)(i) as part of a complete personal fall arrest system which maintains a safety factor of at least two; and 1926.502(d)(15)(ii) under the supervision of a qualified person. 1926.502(d)(16) Personal fall arrest systems, when stopping a fall, shall:

1926.502(d)(16)(i) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 900 pounds (4 kN) when used with a body belt; 1926.502(d)(16)(ii) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kN) when used with a body harness.

ANSI Standards, particularly ANSI/ASSP Z359.11, a full body harness used for fall protection must meet specific design and performance requirements, including features like visual indicators to show if the harness has been involved in a fall, proper load distribution across the body, and appropriate attachment points for lanyards or lifelines; essentially ensuring the harness can effectively arrest a fall and minimize injury to the wearer.

ANSI Standards, particularly ANSI/ASSP Z359.11, The American National Standard covers requirements for the performance, design, marking, qualification, instruction, training, test methods, inspection, use, maintenance, and removal from service of full body harnesses. ANSI/ASSP Z359.11-2021 also depicts a multitude of full body harness components through figures found in its text. This standard applies only to FBHs and auxiliary equipment designed for use as part of the full body harness. The full body harnesses covered by ANSI/ASSP Z359.11-2021 are for users within the capacity range of 130 to 310 lbs. (59 to 140 kg).

ANSI Standards become mandatory by “Incorporation by Reference;” when OSHA standard cites the ANSI standard for compliance, or when the “General Duty” clause is cited which requires employers to keep the workplace “free from recognized hazards.” ANSI issues the nationally recognized fall protection code ANSI Z359.

TRAINING:

OSHA Standard Subpart M – Fall Protection – 1926.502(d)(16) Personal fall arrest systems, when stopping a fall, shall: OSHA Standard Subpart M – Fall Protection – The employer shall provide a training program for each employee who might be exposed to fall hazards. The program shall enable each employee to recognize the hazards of falling and shall train each employee in the procedures to be followed in order to minimize these hazards. 1926.503(a)(1)

INSPECTIONS:

General Pieces:

  1. Front – Shoulder Straps, Chest Strap, Waist Belt & Leg Straps.
  2. Front – Adjustable Buckles (For all the above in #1).
  3. Front – Side D-Rings (optional).
  4. Back – Dorsal D-Ring.
  5. Back – Strap.
  6. Back – Web Back Support.
  7. Labels – Back or in packet.

Specific Risk Components

  1. Webbing: Inspect for cuts, burns, tears, abrasion, frays, excessive soiling and discoloration.
  2. Stitching and Terminations: Inspect for pulled or cut stitches, splice or swage.
  3. Mechanical Springs: Inspect for rusting, broken keeper springs, excessive corrosion.
  4. Buckles: Inspect for corrosion, rust, cracks, pitting, and eyelets missing.
  5. Locking Mechanisms: Inspect springs, corrosion, damage, and wear.
  6. Labels: Inspect to ensure all labels are securely held in place and legible.
    • Minimum Required: ANSI – OSHA Markings, Date of First Use Recorded, Model, and Serial #.

Steps to Put Harnesses On

  1. Untangle Safety Harness.
  2. Check Safety Harness for Damage.
  3. Put on the Harness.
  4. Connect and Tighten the Leg Straps.
  5. Buckle and Adjust the Safety Harness.
  6. Make Sure the Safety Harness is Snug but Not Restrictive.
    • Remember the five-point harness consists of five straps. Two are located at the shoulders, two at the hips, and one at the crotch that all come to connect to a buckle release mechanism.

Requirements “FITTING”

  1. Inspect the harness for any damage or problems.
  2. Open all the buckles and adjust the straps to the largest setting.
  3. Put the harness over your shoulders as if it were a shirt, and make sure all straps and webbing are flat and not twisted.
  4. Adjust all straps to ensure it fits snugly and comfortably against your body.
    • Chest Strap: Should be center chest height (should provide slight resistance when you place palm underneath).
    • Leg Straps: Should be able to fit your fingers snugly underneath the leg straps.
  5. Check for proper positioning of the D-rings and webbing, making sure it is not too loose or too tight, and inspect for any signs of damage before use.

 

OSHA. “1926.502 – Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration.” Osha.gov, 2019, www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.502.

‌“What the Updated Z359.11 Standard Means for Full Body Harnesses.” American Society of Safety Professionals, 2025, www.assp.org/news-and-articles/what-the-updated-z359.11-standard-means-for-full-body-harnesses. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

‌“OSHA & ANSI Compliance | Fall Protection Standards | Gorbel.” Gorbel.com, 2023, www.gorbel.com/education/fall-protection/regulations-standards. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

‌“Harness System Inspection Procedures – UltraSafeUSA.” UltraSafeUSA, 5 Sept. 2023, www.ultrasafeusa.com/harness-system-inspection-procedures/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

‌“How to Inspect and Adjust Your Safety Harness.” Premier Safety, 2025, www.meslifesafety.com/blog/how-to-inspect-and-adjust-your-safety-harness/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

‌Kotecki, Doug. “How to Put on a Safety Harness.” FallProtectionPros.com, Inc., 9 Jan. 2018, www.fallprotectionpros.com/blogs/fall-protection-articles/how-to-put-on-a-safety-harness?srsltid=AfmBOoqDLXfy_OpWhR-nlxCrpjUBsDrVtZ79ldFnRQd54iHxVShHvnnK. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

‌“Eight Steps to Ensure Your Safety Harness Fits Properly – Safe Keeper Fall Protection Equipment and Systems.” Safekeepersafety.com, 2022, safekeepersafety.com/properly-fitting-a-harness/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

Contact Us Today

Quandel Enterprises can help you achieve your commercial construction goals.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Check Out More Articles

Read more of our informational articles below!