What to Consider when Buying a Safety Harness

When choosing a safety harness we strongly recommend getting in contact with an expert that can help you with finding the right fit for you and your work environment. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to make an educated choice of your own, here are a few things to consider.

First off you will need to think about the type of work you will be doing when wearing the harness. Will you be working in an elevated position for extended periods? A sit harness will probably be the best fit for you. Will you be confined to smaller spaces while working? A confined space harness is most likely what you are looking for. Then there are multi-purpose harnesses that excel in several different applications. This all depends on your needs.

Padding and fit

Another thing to consider is padding and fit. Safety harnesses have historically never been the most comfortable thing to wear but today a lot of manufacturers use padding to relieve the discomfort. In the same vein, the fit of your harness should be comfortable, but more importantly safe. We all have different shaped bodies and manufacturers try to accommodate this by having adjustable straps and removable padding but you still need to be aware of the different sizes to ensure the harness is neither too small, giving you an uncomfortable fit, or too big, risking an unsafe working environment.

Webbing

Yet another big improvement in safety harnesses is the webbing. The webbings main purpose is to withstand the pressures exuded on it. We have seen developments in liquid repellent webbing, heat resistant webbing as well as elastic webbing to improve the ergonomics and comfortability of the harness. The choice of webbing mostly depends on your needs but a good webbing can definitely relieve you of some headaches in the future.

Specialized and integrated features

The last thing to consider is specialized accessories and other integrated features. Some specialized features might include an added life vest for working above water or an added hi-viz jacket to the harness. These will oftentimes be very specific and might not bring any added value to everyone, but if your work requires it, these specialized accessories can be a lifesaver.

Integrated features on the other hand usually are not as specific and can provide value or extra safety for a broad spectrum of industries but they are in no way required. These might include features such as:

The spring-loaded dorsal D-rings stay upright making them easier to reach than other conventional designs. The dorsal D-ring is the main attachment point for lanyards, vertical lifelines, and retractables. So when a fall occurs the D-ring on your back will be the one holding you.

Impact indicators on the dorsal D-ring can provide an alert that the harness has been exposed to a bigger fall. While these indicators should not replace normally scheduled inspections of the safety equipment, they may provide some valuable insight if a D-ring should be replaced or not.