Safety harnesses and how to use them effectively
A safety harness allows you to attach yourself to an immovable object, thus ensuring you will not hit the ground if you trip or fall from a height. Falling from height is one of the main causes of injury in the workplace, and therefore, it’s paramount that you’re equipped with the correct equipment. Workplace injury is very common in construction or safety sites which safety professionals need to climb to fix or remove things. In every form of safety, there is always one need or the other for a safety harness.
Your safety harnesses will only prove effective if your workers actually wear them and wear them correctly.
This article will focus on how to effectively use a safety harness.
1. The harness inspection before wearing.
Inspect the harness for worn, frayed or cracked straps and webbing material. Every harness material should be inspected before giving it out to employees for use. Inspection helps to ensure the presence of a hole, cracks etc. all of which can lead to accidents like falling, trip etc.
2. Check the attachments.
The Harness has various body parts like fasteners, D-rings and grommets. Safety professional should ensure to check fasteners, d-ring and grommets and belt tongues for detachment or damage before giving them out for usage. With the d-ring in the middle of your back between the shoulder blades, slip the harness on like a vest.
3. Legs and Buckle Adjustment
Pull leg straps up and fasten buckles. Stand up and adjust the body strap on the sides to leave no slack.
4. Check the strap Usage
Fasten and adjust the chest strap with no slack.
Check all shoulder and leg straps to remove slack; make sure you can fit your fingers on a flat hand under your leg straps to allow for range of motion.
5. Buckle strap Usage
Tighten the buckle straps and tuck loose strap ends into their strap retainers.
Safety harness material are a very important part of safety industries. Not only should a company have the proper harnesses available, but employees should be fully trained on their proper usage so as to avoid unnecessary safety concerns for individual employees.
