25 May. 2021

Importance and Safe Operating Procedure for use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when Working at Height:

Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries. Common cases include falls from ladders, nonstandard platform and fragile roof etc. Lot of construction workers suffer mild to major injuries from falls related to working at heights.

There are many ways through which safety can be assured while working at heights. They range from proper planning and proper inspection of the site to the wearing of appropriate and properly functioning personal protective equipment.

One of the most recommended types of personal protective equipment is the full body safety harness. Unfortunately, a lot of construction workers or people who work at heights don’t usually see the importance of wearing a full body safety harness. The importance of doing so only occurs to them after they have suffered a fall – and are lucky enough to live. A safety harness is a crucial component of the personal fall arrest systems. It plays the important role of keeping users suspended upright in case of a fall. It also supports them as they await rescue. The full body safety harness is highly recommended in fall restraint systems that prevent employees from reaching points where falls are probable.

Safe Operating Procedure for use of Safety Harness:

Fall protection in the form of safety harnesses and lanyards must be used in situations where it is impracticable to provide primary systems.

• Whenever full body safety harnesses are used they must be secured to a secure anchorage point, running line or arrester device. Anchorage points must be capable of supporting 5000 pounds (2268 kg.).
• Full safety harnesses with thigh and shoulder straps shall be worn. The lanyard and anchorage point should limit the maximum drop to six (6) feet (2 meters).
• Shock absorbers must be provided with the harness system in order to reduce the shock loading in the event of a fall.
• The fall protection lanyard shall be attached to the D-ring located in the middle back of the safety harness.
• D-rings located at the waist may only be used for positioning and with rail type ladder climbing devices.
• Work positioning assemblies are to be attached to D rings at the harness belt location.

How to Inspect a Harness Before Using It

• Pick up the harness by its D-ring in the back
• Gently shake the harness to let the straps fall in to place.
• Make sure the buckles are unfastened.
• Look for any damage, such as worn, frayed or missing threads, cracked webbing, or foreign material on the harness.
• Check the metal strap fasteners and d-ring to make sure they aren’t cracked or deformed.
• If your harness uses grommets, make sure they are firmly attached and are not deformed or otherwise damaged.
• Make sure buckle tongues are firmly attached and not bent.

How to Put on a Fall Arrest Harness

• Slip the harness over your shoulders like a vest.
• Make sure the D-ring is in the middle of your back, directly between your shoulder blades.
• Pull each leg strap up and fasten the buckles together.
• Stand up straight and adjust the length of the side body straps as needed to make sure there is no slack.
• Fasten the chest strap about mid-chest high.
• Adjust the chest strap as necessary to remove any slack.
• Make sure the shoulder straps and leg straps are snug, while still allowing full range of motion.
• Eliminate any excess slack by tightening the straps in the buckle.
• Make sure the loose ends of the straps are tucked into the strap retainers.
• With your hand held flat, you should be able to fit your fingers underneath your leg straps