Full-body harnesses are the last line of defense in the event that you fall from a height, so it needs to be fitted properly. Inspect the harness thoroughly before you put it on to make sure it’s in good working condition. Don the harness, connect the fasteners and buckles, and make sure they’re secure. Then, adjust and tighten the straps so the entire harness fits your body snugly.

According to CFR 1926.501 (b) (7) – Excavations, the employee has to be protected from a fall if the depth of the excavation, pit, or shaft exceeds 6 feet.

OSHA’s 1926.502(b)(1) stipulates that the top edge of top rails or equivalent guardrail system members shall be 42 inches (plus or minus 3 inches) above the working/walking level. This offers a range of 39 to 45 inches for the top of the rail.

A self-retracting lifeline (SRL) will minimize the fall distance. The maximum free fall distance with an SRL is 2 feet (though, if it is attached at shoulder height, it should be 0) and the deceleration distance is a maximum 3 ½ feet.
With an energy absorbing lanyard attached at shoulder height, the minimum fall distance will be equal to the length of the lanyard (2, 3, 4 or 6 feet) plus the elongation of the energy absorber device (maximum 3 ½ feet).
These distances are part of the clearance formula, so the longer a fall, the higher clearance you’ll need. For this reason, people working at heights less than 17 ½ feet should use a self-retractable lifeline, while those working at elevations higher than this can use either a lanyard or lifeline.

A dorsal (back) D-ring comes standard on all harnesses and is the designated attachment point in situations where an employee may fall a significant distance before the system is engaged. Anytime you are at risk of falling, you should connect your fall arrest system to your dorsal D-ring.

Other D-rings might also be available on harnesses, but they are not designated for fall protection. A chest D-ring can be used for ascending a ladder while connected to a vertical ladder climbing system. Shoulder D-rings can be used for retrieving workers in confined spaces. Side rings are appropriate for body positioning while working on a pole.

To use ladders safely, always maintain three points of contact. That means two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand on the ladder at all times. Three-point contact helps prevent injuries from slips and falls.

In a fall, a full body harness protects you more than a safety belt because the harness distributes the force of impact over a greater area of your body. A safety belt doesn’t level out your body weight like a harness does. The harness secures more of your body so that it is distributed evenly in order to arrest a fall.

Dee-rings and snaphooks used in a personal fall arrest system must Have a minimum tensile strength of 5000 pounds. Be proof-tested to minimum tensile load of 3,600 pounds. Be sized to be compatible to that which it is connected.

According to OSHA 1926.502(d)(14), fall protection ropes and straps (webbing) used in lanyards, lifelines, and strength components of body belts and body harnesses shall be made from synthetic fibers.

Personal fall protection systems must be worn with the attachment point of the body harness located in the center of the employee's back near shoulder level.

Personal fall arrest systems are rigged in such a manner that the employee cannot free fall more than 6 feet or contact a lower level.

Fall fatalities aren't all about how far you fall and how hard you hit the ground, but also which body part hits. Striking your heat at any height can be fatal.

When you’re working with an extension ladder for roof access, you need it to extend at least three feet above the roof line. This is much more than most people will realize, but a full three feet or 36 inches is necessary for a safe ladder set up. This gives the ladder some leeway and will help keep it from moving out of place as you’re climbing.

The ladder simply needs to be put at a 75-degree angle, which is simply the 4:1 ratio. The rule simply states that when using a single ladder, extension ladder, or whichever ladder that cannot support itself, the ladder should be one foot away from the wall for every four feet of wall height.

To help prevent accidents and injuries associated with defective or dangerous ladders:

• Visually inspect the ladder for defects such as:
  • Structural damage, split/bent side rails, broken or missing rungs/steps/cleats and missing or damaged safety devices;
  • Grease, dirt or other materials that could cause slips and falls;
  • Paint or stickers (except warning labels) that could hide possible defects.
• Clearly mark a defective ladder with “Do Not Use” or destroy it immediately.

If any part of a fall protection system has been used to arrest a fall, it must be discarded or removed from service until the manufacturer certifies that all components are safe for reuse.

A fall protection system must be inspected before each use. Inspect each component thoroughly, including harness, lanyard, carabiner and self-retracting lifeline for any damage. If it fails to pass inspection, immediately remove from service the faulty component or components.

The structure to which a personal fall arrest system is attached must sustain static loads applied in the directions permitted by the fall arrest system of at least: 5,000 lbs for non-certified anchorages, or two times the maximum arresting force for certified anchorages (designed by qualified person). When more than one personal fall arrest system is attached to an anchorage, the strengths stated above must be multiplied by the number of personal fall arrest systems attached to the anchorage. Anchorages used for attachment of a personal fall arrest system must be independent of any anchorage being used to support or suspend platforms, and must support at least 5,000 lbs per user attached; or be designed, installed, and used as part of a complete personal fall arrest system that maintains a safety factor of at least two, and that is supervised by a qualified person

Using a Shock-Absorbing Lanyard and D-Ring Anchorage Connector

• First, add the length of the shock-absorbing lanyard (6 ft.) to the maximum elongation of the shock absorber during deceleration (3-1/2 ft.) to the average height of a worker (6 ft.).

  • Then, add a safety factor of 3 ft. to allow for the possibility of an improperly fit harness, a taller than average worker and/or a miscalculation of distance.

  • The total, 18-1/2 ft. is the suggested safe fall clearance distance for this example.

  † NOTE: Should the shock-absorbing lanyard be used in conjunction with a cross-arm anchorage connector or other, the additional length of the anchorage connector must be taken into consideration.

Fall protection equipment should be personally inspected before each use and at least once a year by a jobsite Competent Person (or more frequently if required by the manufacturer). Whether it be from heavy usage or exposure to harsh conditions, fall protection equipment can become damaged or worn to the point that it is no longer safe for use.

There are three vital components that make up a complete fall protection system. These are the ABC's of fall protection:

A - Anchorage/Anchorage Connector

B – Body Wear

C - Connectors