5 Types of Safety Harnesses and When to Use Them

We will cover the different types of safety harnesses available on the market and explain when you should use them. When working at height, you need to use the correct safety harnesses to minimize the risk of injury.

The importance of safety harnesses. 

The importance of safety harnesses is not only limited to the fact that they keep workers safe. Workers use safety harnesses to protect themselves from serious injury or death.

According to Worksafe NZ, Investigations by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment into falls while working at height show that more than 50% of falls are from less than three metres, and approximately 70% of falls are from ladders and roofs. The cost of these falls is estimated to be $24 million a year – to say nothing of the human cost resulting from these falls. In addition, more injuries happen on residential building sites than in any other workplace in the construction sector.

Some of the contributing factors are:

Falling from height: Working at height is one of the most dangerous things you can do in construction. To minimize the risk of injury, workers must use a safety harness when working at height. 

Getting struck by an object: Construction sites are often filled with debris and tools, which can cause serious injury if someone hits them. 

Electrocution: There are many electrical hazards present on construction sites. Workers must be aware of these hazards and take precautions to avoid electrocuting. 

Trip and fall: Trips and falls are the leading causes of injury on work sites. Therefore, workers need to be aware of their surroundings and take steps to avoid tripping and falling.

Safety harnesses help protect workers from these and other dangers associated with working at height and in confined spaces. They provide a layer of protection which can help reduce the risk of severe injury or death.

The different types of safety harness available

5 Types of Safety Harnesses are as follows. There are many kinds of safety harnesses available on the market. However, the fall arrest harness is the most common type of safety harness. This type of harness is designed to protect workers working at height. It will help to minimize the risk of severe injury or death if a worker falls from a height.

Other common types of safety harnesses include:

Construction safety harness: This type of harness is designed for general construction work. It is not suitable for use in areas with a risk of falls. 

Fall arrest system: This system is used in conjunction with a lanyard and anchorage point. It is designed to protect workers who are working at height. 

Tower climbing harness: This type of harness is designed for workers working on towers or other elevated structures. 

Rappelling harness: This harness is used for rappelling or abseiling down a cliff or other vertical surface. 

Rescue harness: This type of harness is used for rescue operations. 

Each type of safety harness has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Construction workers must understand the safety harnesses available and select the right one for the task. Using the wrong type of safety harness can be dangerous and lead to severe injury or death.

When to use each type of safety harness

Each type of safety harness has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

When working at height, using a fall arrest harness is vital. This harness will help minimize the risk of severe injury or death if a worker falls from height. A fall arrest harness is typically used with a lanyard or other safety device attached to an anchor point.

A work positioning harness is another type of safety harness used by construction workers. This harness is designed to keep workers safe while working in precarious positions. A work positioning harness will typically have multiple attachment points so that workers can secure themselves in place while they are working.

A rescue harness is a type of safety harness used to help rescue workers who have become stranded or stuck in an unsafe location. A rescue harness typically has a variety of different attachment points so that you can use it in a variety of different ways.

How safety harnesses can help reduce the risk of injury

As we know, falls are one of the leading causes of death and injury in the construction industry, and safety harnesses provide a critical layer of protection against these risks. In addition to preventing falls, safety harnesses can help protect workers from other dangers, such as electrocution and chemical burns. By wearing a safety harness, construction workers can reduce their risk of severe injury or death while working.

Harnesses are not the only type of safety equipment that workers should use, but they are a critical part of any safety plan. When used correctly, safety harnesses can help to reduce the risk of injury or death in the construction industry.

The dangers of working at height without using a safety harness

Without a safety harness, workers can be seriously injured or killed if they fall from a height. Therefore, workers must use safety harnesses to protect themselves from these dangers. We have covered the different safety harnesses available, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. The most important thing is to choose a safety harness that is comfortable to wear and fits appropriately.

Following these safety tips can help keep yourself and your co-workers safe whilst on the worksite. 

How should you use fall protection?

Just because your employees wear harnesses does not mean they will stay safe – they should use every equipment component properly. In addition, operatives must understand the risks associated with harness safety. For example, the worker who did not receive body harness training is unlikely to know how to use the harness. Therefore, a body harness can increase the risk of serious injury if not used properly. Thus, workers must be appropriately trained to use a fall protection harness properly. They should also be familiar with the available safety harnesses and select the right one for the task.

What is the difference between a personal fall arrest system and a fall restraint?

Before purchasing harnesses, you should be aware of two different types of harnesses. In addition, several federal safety regulations distinguish between fall and travel restraints. Falls or travel restraints are helpful and can prevent you from working outside the roof. However, when wearing travel restraints, you will fall. In addition, an FPAS allows work on roof edges while not hitting the ground when falling. Roofers should use the system because it is sometimes necessary to go to the roof to do their work.

How do I choose between safety harnesses and safety straps?

Safety belts are lightweight and offer more protection than safety belts, such as ropes or chains for your work on the ground. When using longer durations, however, when performing tasks above 20 feet, an entire safety system is needed, as are fall arrest devices (such as scaffold netting). Therefore, when looking for a safety harness, you need to consider the weight and height of the person using it. You also need to think about the type of work they will do.

If you are working on a work site, you might need a different type of safety harness than working in a warehouse. It would help if you also considered the environment in which you will work. For example, if you work in an area with dust or other particles, you might need a different type of safety harness than a clean room. Learn more about how to re-certify your contaminated working with height equipment.

It would be best if you also considered the climate in which you will work. For example, if you are working in a cold environment, you might need a different type of safety harness than if you are working in a hot environment. It would help if you also considered the length of time that you would be using the safety harness. If you are only going to be using it for a short period, you might not need as much protection as if you are going to be using it for an extended period.

It would be best if you also considered the price of the safety harness. If you are on a budget, you might not be able to afford the best quality safety harness. However, you should still be able to find an affordable safety harness to provide the level of protection you need.

Key Takeaway

In New Zealand, the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (the HSE Act) sets out the performance required of duty holders. People with a duty must take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of workers when they are exposed to a fall or where the hazard of a fall exists. All workers must use safety harnesses to protect themselves from serious injuries or death if they fall from a height. The most important thing is to choose a safety harness that is comfortable to wear and fits appropriately. Following these simple tips can help keep yourself and your co-workers safe whilst working on site. 

Check out the safety harnesses available to find the best one for your needs. You can find a variety of safety harnesses on our website, so be sure to browse through our selection and find the perfect one for you.