Doc. No.

012/LKT/SHBP/X/19
SAFETY HARNESSES AND
BELTS PROCEDURE Effective Date 10 – 08 – 2019

Revision 01

Page Page 1 of 5

SAFETY HARRNESSES AND BELTS

PROCEDURE
Revision: 01

This and all Scaffolding standard practice instructions / procedure inspection contained in the
company quality assurance system are controlled by the Quality assurance representative and may
not be amended, revised or in any altered without his authority.

Prepared by; Reviewed by Approved by

Name : Name : Name :

Position : Position : Position :
Date : Date : Date :
 Doc. No. 012/LKT/SHBP/X/19
SAFETY HARNESSES AND
BELTS PROCEDURE Effective Date 10 – 08 – 2019

Revision 01

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114. SAFETY HARNESSES AND BELTS

114.1 Introduction
The main reason for the use safety belts and harnesses is to
limit the distance of any fall and thereby minimize the risk of
injury. They will also be used to facilitate the rescue of persons
working in confined spaces, such as manholes, etc.
When working on Temporarily Installed Suspended Scaffolds,
the information given in BS 5974 will assist in the fixing and use
of safety harnesses and anchorage points. Safety belts and
harnesses provide valuable protection, but they are not a
substitute for effective fall prevention measures. It should be
clearly understood that, where practicable, proper working
platforms, with guardrails and toe boards, must be provided.
Where the provision of working platforms, or the use of safety
nets, is impracticable, safety harnesses or belts must be
provided and used.
In choosing a belt or harness for a particular application, care
should be taken to ensure that it will give the user, as far as is
compatible with safety, maximum comfort, freedom of
movement and, in the event of a fall, every possible protection
to the body from the shock of sudden arrest. Proper fitting and
adjustment are essential to achieve these aims.
A full harness gives greater protection than a safety belt in the
event of a fall and is therefore preferable; the use of lanyards
fitted with shock absorbers is also recommended.

114.2 Types of Belts and Harnesses

BS 1397 Specification for industrial safety belts, harnesses and
safety lanyards, gives guidance on the choice of a suitable belt
or harness but, in view of the wide variations in conditions of
use, it does not attempt to standardize the design of any
specific type, or to prescribe which type should be used in any
particular industry. BS 1397 classifies belts and harnesses into
various types:

Type A : Pole belts, comprising an adjustable body belt,

combined with a pole strap which may be internal, or
detachable by means of suitable snap-hooks and
rings. The user should be able to alter the length of
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the pole strap without uncoupling it, permitting

movement within 600mm of the anchorage.

Type B : General purpose belts, which may be provided with a

line which should be so connected to the structure as
to reduce the maximum free fall to 600mm.
Alternatively, a lanyard of 1.2m may be fitted,
provided it embodies an integral shock absorber.

Type C : Chest harnesses, comprising a chest belt and

shoulder straps and fitted with a lanyard which will
limit the fall to a maximum of 2m.

Type D : General purpose harness, incorporating shoulder and

crutch straps and fitted with a lanyard which will limit
the fall to a maximum of 2m.

Type E : Rescue harness, suitable for protecting or rescuing

workmen entering dangerous enclosed places. It must
be capable of reasonable size adjustment, be easy to
fit in an emergency and be used in such a way that
fall is limited to 600mm. Such harnesses should be
used in conjunction with safety lines to BS 3367:
Specification for fire brigade and industrial ropes and
rescue lines.

114.3 Use of Belts and Harnesses

It is of the utmost importance that, whenever a safety belt or
harness is provided, there is also an effective means of fixing it to
the structure at all times the protection is required. All too often,
a belt or harness is provided in the hope that the wearer may find
somewhere to attach it. It is also vital that the fixing point is
strong enough to withstand the snatch load of a fall. The use of
two lanyards will sometimes be necessary to ensure constant
attachment whilst moving.
The distance of fall should be as small as possible and should not
exceed the dimensions specified above. To that end, the belt or
harness should be fixed to the structure, or fixing point, as high
as practicable above the working position.
It is vital that the safety belt or harness and the attendant
lanyard are not damaged during use. The practice of fastening
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the lanyard around small sectioned structural steel or other sharp

objects and hook in the karabiner back on to the lanyard may
cause failure. As an alternative, it is recommended that a tested
loop, of at least 8mm diameter steel wire rope, with properly
made eyes, be used.
The wire loop should be wrapped around the steel and the
harness or belt attached to the loop, maintaining the maximum
falling distances previously outlined. An alternative anchorage
may be provided by use of special proprietary hooks which are
available with openings to accommodate metal sections up to
50mm.
Wherever possible, the means of attachment of the harness to
the structure should be incorporated into the design, so that all
necessary facilities are available at the earliest stages of
construction. For example, the drilling of additional holes in
structural steel will enable the use of devices such as the girder
grip.

114.4 Fall Arrest Devices

These mechanical devices, when used in conjunction with a
safety belt or harness, permit greater freedom of movement.
These devices have two main features:
$ They extend the area over which the user may work safely
$ In the event of a fall, they restrict the drop, thereby reducing
the load imposed upon the body on sudden arrest.

BS 5062: Specification for self locking anchorage for

industrial use, classifies fall arrest devices into
two types:

Type 1 : A device which runs on a fixed anchorage, line or

rail, the safety belt or harness being attached to the
device.

Type 2 : A device through which an extendable line passes or

unreels from, the user being connected to the end
of the anchorage line, the device itself being
attached to a fixed anchorage point.
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114.5 Shock Absorbers

In order to reduce the possibility of injury to the body in the
event of a fall, shock absorbers have been developed. These
devices installed between the belts or harness and the anchorage
point, allow the fall to be slowed down, thus absorbing energy
and reducing the final loading on the body.

114.6 Inspection and Storage

All equipment, with the exception of disposable types, requires
cleaning, disinfecting and inspection after use and before wearing
by another person. Cartridges and filters have a limited life which
can vary depending upon the environment in which they are used
and manufacturer’s recommendations must be strictly followed.
Equipment must be properly stored when not in use.

114.7 Training
Training in the use and application of RPE is essential for all types
of equipment. RPE should be worn only by persons, who are
thoroughly familiar with the equipment and know the procedures
to adopt in emergency.