FAQs
1. When do I need a safety harness?
You need to wear a full body safety fall arrest harness when:
a. you are exposed to the risk of falling from a height that is 3 metres (10ft) or more above the nearest safe surface or water;
b. less than 3 metres and the work area is above 1 of the following:
(i) a surface or thing that could cause injury to the person on contact that is worse than an injury from landing on a solid, flat surface,
(ii) exposed hazardous material, such as in an open tank, pit or vat.
2. What is a safety lanyard?
A flexible tether used to safely secure a worker to a lifeline or an anchor point. A typical fall arrest lanyard has an integrated shock absorber built into it to limit the free fall distance to less than 1.22 meters (4ft) and the fall arrest force to less than 8kN (1,800Lbs force).
3. How do I pick a safety harness?
To pick a fall protection harness you will need to consider the following criteria:
a. User height
b. User weight with clothes and any equipment suspended from the user.
c. The class:
(i) Class A: fall arrest;
(ii) Class D: suspension and controlled descent;
(iii) Class E: limited access;
(iv) Class L: ladder climbing;
(v) Class P: work positioning.
d. Comfort. How long the user is wearing the harness and the types of tasks that are to be completed would influence this decision. Typically the higher the comfort and options (i.e. equipment loops, trauma straps etc.) the more it will cost.
e. Certifications. Local health and safety regulations will dictate this requirement. In Canada, the harness needs to be certified to CSA Z259.10. In the United States, the harness needs to be certified to ANSI Z359.11.
4. Do safety harnesses expire?
The functional life of harnesses is determined by the work and environmental conditions it has been exposed to and if it has been properly maintained and inspected according to the manufacturers specifications. As long as the product passes the manufacturers inspection criteria by a competent person, it may remain in service.
5. How do you wear a safety harness?
There are Seven steps to donning a fall protection safety harness.
a. the harness with one hand by the dorsal “D” ring located at the back of the harness and untangle the leg straps so that they are hanging down.
b. Hang shoulder straps over shoulders (like a jacket). Always ensure that the sub-pelvic strap rests underneath your pelvic area.
c. Connect the left leg strap. Take your right hand and insert it between the left leg strap and your leg; if you can create a fist, the strap needs to be tightened. After strap is properly tightened, check sub-pelvic strap for proper tensioning.
d. Repeat step c with opposite leg and opposite hand.
e. Attach chest strap and tighten until snug. Strap should be nipple high.
f. Re-adjust front straps until snug to torso.
g. Ensure flat part of Dorsal (back) D-ring is positioned between the base of your neck and your shoulder blades (you may need to doff the harness multiple times to adjust D-ring and confirm its position). Check sub-pelvic strap for proper positioning.
6. What is a Self-Retracting Lanyard (SRL)?
A Self-Retracting Lanyard is a connecting means that automatically adjusts its length under light tension as the worker moves toward or away from the anchorage. It stops a fall.
Note: The SRL housing typically contains a spring-loaded drum on which a line (made of rope, wire rope, or webbing) is wound and unwound. The device has a mechanism to lock the drum if the worker falls by pulling cable out of the device at a speed greater than the device’s lock-off speed.
7. What is a rope grab?
A rope grab is a type of Fall Arrester device that locks onto a lifeline, cable, or rigid track to arrest a fall. It travels vertically on the lifeline, cable, or rigid track and follows either manually or automatically the vertical movements of the worker.
8. What is a Horizontal Lifeline (HLL)?
A Horizontal Lifeline is a component of an HLL system that extends horizontally from one end anchorage to another and consists of a flexible line made from wire, fibre rope, wire rope, or rod, complete with end terminations. Note: Intermediate anchorages may be used on long HLL systems to reduce sags.
9. When do I need a Fall Protection Rescue Plan?
A rescue plan needs to be developed when there is a risk that a worker would need to be evacuated after a fall to a safe location where he or she can receive medical attention.
10. What is a swing fall and how do I prevent one?
A swing fall is pendular motion experienced by the worker using a fall-arrest system, resulting from the anchorage not being directly above the user at the onset of a fall. A swing fall can be prevented by ensuring the following:
a. The anchorage point is directly above the user.
b. Slack in the lanyard is kept to a minimum
c. Slack in the lifeline is kept to a minimum
d. The user has properly assessed the hazards prior to the work
e. The user is properly trained on their equipment and fall protection
f. The anchorage has an adequate strength to arrest a fall
11. What is a Fall Arrest Anchor?
A Fall Arrest Anchor or Anchorage is a secure connecting point capable of safely withstanding the impact forces applied by a fall-protection system or anchorage subsystem.
Notes:
(1) A fall-arrest or restraint anchorage is independent of any anchorage used to support or suspend workers or work platforms.
(2) An anchorage is generally a structural member such as a beam, girder, column, floor, or wall.
12. When do I need to inspect my fall protection equipment?
Most manufacturers require a minimum of one documented annual inspection and a visual inspection before each use.
13. What components are used in a fall arrest system?
A Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) typically consists of a full body harness, anchorage, and connector. The means of connection may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a suitable combination of these.
14. Where can I buy fall protection?
Visit www.buyfallprotection.ca to purchase a wide range of fall protection and rescue equipment certified to CSA Z259 series of standards. Please call or email our Technical Fall Protection Help centre Toll Free: 1(877)452-4711; sales@buyfallprotection.ca
15. Where can I find the best price and advice on Fall Protection Equipment?
Visit www.buyfallprotection.ca to purchase a wide range of fall protection and rescue equipment. Please call or email our Technical Fall Protection Help centre Toll Free: 1(877)452-4711 sales@buyfallprotection.ca