12
USE
(continued)
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 user 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 solely 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 the two attachment elements. An example of this use would be
window washers on large buildings.