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these requirements, please go to www.osha.gov to review the OSHA
requirements. Copies of the ANSI standards are available at
www.asse.org in the e-standards store.
3.2: Approved Applications
FallTech
Full Body Harnesses (FBH’s) are available in a wide variety
of different configurations to address the specific needs in nearly every
workplace. The suitability of a Full Body Harness for a specific
application is determined primarily by the type and location of the D-ring
or D-rings on the FBH. Below is a summary of the approved applications
for each D-ring location on the FBH. This list is not all-inclusive, but is
intended to anticipate the most common applications in which this
product may be used. If you have questions about whether this product
is suitable for your particular application, please consult a competent
person or contact
FallTech
for further advice.
Back D-ring: Also referred to as a dorsal D-ring, this attachment point is
located on the back of your
FallTech
FBH. When the FBH is worn and
properly adjusted, this D-ring should be located between your shoulder
blades. This D-ring is intended to be used for
fall arrest
and may also
be used for
fall restraint
. Appropriate connecting devices for these
applications would be Shock Absorbing Lanyards, Self-Retracting
Lifelines and Restraint lanyards. All FallTech Full Body Harnesses have
a back D-ring and may be used for
fall arrest
and
restraint
.
Side D-rings: Also referred to as hip D-rings and located adjacent to
each hip, are intended for
work positioning
on a vertical surface (such
as in tower applications, rebar tying, etc.). These may be an integral part
of the FBH, attached to the front torso webbing in the area of the hips, or
may be an integral part of a belt assembly or waist pad. Side D-rings
should never be used for fall arrest or restraint, and should never be
used as a lanyard keeper or for any other purpose.
Shoulder D-rings: Located on the upper torso webbing on each
shoulder, these D-rings are intended for confined space entry and
retrieval and are also used in many rescue applications. The shoulder
D-rings should never be used for fall arrest, restraint or positioning.
Front D-ring: Located on the chest strap or adjacent to the user’s
sternum on cross-over styles, this d-ring is intended for climbing
applications for the purpose of fall arrest, provided that the user is
exposed to a maximum of 2 feet of free fall. Front D-rings should never
be used for positioning, restraint of fall arrest applications where more
than 2 feet of free fall may be possible.
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If you have any questions regarding the suitability of this product for
your specific application, please consult with a competent person or
contact
FallTech
before using. Misuse of this product may result in
serious injury or death.
Be sure to consult Section 5 of this instruction manual for details on
anchorage considerations, as the anchorage and its relationship to the
walking/working surface will be an important factor in determining
suitability and could contribute to the outcome of a fall event. Use of an
anchor point that is not properly rated could lead to a catastrophic failure
of your personal fall arrest system, which may result in serious injury or
death.
3.3: Restricted Applications
Not all Full Body Harnesses are built alike, and each product has
different features. There are some applications for which our products
may not be ideally suited. Below are a few restrictions to consider before
using your
FallTech
Full Body Harness:
Harsh Chemical Environments: Acids and other caustic chemicals may
cause damage to this FBH, its components and other elements for your
Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS). Damage from chemical exposure
can be difficult to detect and
FallTech
recommends inspection before
each use and frequent replacement.
FallTech
does manufacture
products which are better suited to harsh and caustic environments. For
additional details, please contact Customer Service or your local
FallTech sales representative.
Arborist Applications: This product should never be used in arborist
applications or tree-trimming applications.
Welding:
FallTech
recommends the use of Aramid webbing FBH’s
(Kevlar®, Nomex® or Dyneema®) for welding and other applications
where the harness may be exposed to extremely high temperatures.
Heavyweight: Most
FallTech
FBH’s are rated for a maximum capacity of
425 lbs (user, clothing, tools and equipment), provided they are used in
conjunction with
FallTech Heavyweight
shock-absorbing lanyards (8246
model series) or
FallTech DuraTech
self-retracting lifelines. Be sure to
check the product label for the capacity of your specific product.
Extended Free Falls:
FallTech
FBH’s are rated for a maximum free fall
of 6 feet.
FallTech
FBH’s may be used in applications where there may
be exposure to free falls of up to 12 feet, provided that a
FallTech
