FULL BODY HARNESS
user, post fall, by the sternal attachment will result in roughly a sitting or cradled body position with weight
concentrated on the thighs, buttocks and lower back. Supporting the user during work positioning
by this sternal attachment will result in an approximate upright body position.
If the sternal attachment is used for fall arrest, the competent person evaluating the application
should take measures to ensure that a fall can only occur feet first. This may include limiting the
allowable free fall distance. It may be possible for a sternal attachment incorporated into an
adjustable style chest strap to cause the chest strap to slide up and possibly choke the used during a
fall, extraction, suspension, etc. the competent person should consider full body harness models
with a fixed sternal attachment for these applications.
12.
Frontal-
The frontal attachment serves as a ladder climbing connection for guided type fall
arresters where there is no chance to fall in a direction other than feet first, or may be used for work
positioning. Supporting the user, post fall or during work positioning, by the frontal attachment
will result in a sitting body position, with the upper torso upright, with weight concentrated on the
thighs and buttocks. When supported by the frontal attachment the design of the Full Body Harness
shall direct load directly around the thighs and under the buttocks by means of the sub pelvic strap.
If the frontal attachment is used for fall arrest, the competent person evaluating the application
should take measures to ensure that a fall can only occur feet first. This may include limiting the
allowable free fall distance.
13.
Shoulder-
The shoulder attachment elements shall be used as a pair and are an acceptable
attachment for rescue and entry/retrieval. The shoulder attachment elements shall not be used for
fall arrest. It is recommended that the shoulder attachment elements be used in conjunction with a
yoke which incorporates a spreader element to keep the Full Body Harness shoulder straps
separate.
14.
Waist, Rear-
The waist, rear attachment shall be used for travel restraint. The waist, rear
attachment element shall not be used for fall arrest. Under no circumstances is it acceptable to use
the waist, rear attachment for purposes other than travel restraint. The waist, rear attachment shall
only be subjected to minimal loading through the waist of the user, and shall never be used to
support the full weight of the user.
15.
Hip-
The hip attachment elements shall be used as a pair, and shall be used solely for work
positioning. The hip attachment elements shall not be used for fall arrest. Hip attachments are often
used for work positioning by arborists, utility workers climbing poles and construction workers
tying rebar and climbing on form walls. Users are cautioned against using the hip attachment
elements (or any other rigid point on the Full Body Harness) to store the unused end of a fall arrest
lanyard, as this may cause a tripping hazard, or , in the case multiple leg lanyards, could cause
adverse loading to the Full Body Harness and the wearer through the unused portion of the lanyard.
16.
Suspension Seat-
The suspension seat attachment elements shall be used as a pair, and shall be
used solely for work positioning. The suspension seat attachment elements shall not be used for
fall arrest. Suspension seat attachments are often used for prolonged work activities where the user
is suspended, allowing the user to sit on the suspension seat formed between two attachment
elements. An example of this use would be window washers on large buildings.
15
