What Types of Construction Safety Harnesses Are Available?

Safety equipment is needed throughout the active construction site to protect workers from dangerous accidents. Fall protection is often over-simplified or overlooked altogether. Any worker climbing or working on a raised platform without complete railings deserves the protection of a construction safety harness. There are many options to choose from, including full-body harnesses from 3M that offer superior safety no matter the situation. Learn which harnesses you may need, how to measure for them, and which models will offer the best protection for challenging scenarios.

The Three Types of Construction Safety Harnesses

There are three main types of construction safety harnesses available for construction use. They come in a wide variety of configurations, including 1-point, 2-point, and multi-point designs for adaptable use in all work situations.

Fall Protection

The most basic level of safety harness commonly used on the construction site is a fall protection harness. It can vary from a basic loop around the waist and shoulders to full-body designs that connect to personal fall arrest systems to prevent sudden drops. While this is a good start for anyone working above the first floor without railings, it's not enough for areas where workers are actively leaning or hanging off of the structure while working. You'll need a more advanced harness for these risky situations.

Climbing and Positioning

Designed for construction workers who are scaling a surface or leaning out and using both hands while relying on a suspension system, climbing and positioning harnesses offer a greater level of protection and versatility. Yet they're still far more affordable and easier to wear than full suspension harnesses. Most climbing and positioning harnesses are full-body designs with multiple points of connection for flexibility when working. Your workers can rely on these harnesses while working across the site without having to change in and out of a lower level of protection.

Full Suspension

Only workers who are hanging entirely off of a structure while working need full suspension harnesses. These designs are built to hold a worker's full weight for hours while providing some level of comfort. They're not necessary if you only need fall protection and positioning support while working on a platform or the edge of an existing upper floor.

For most construction sites, climbing and positioning harnesses offer the best combination of features. The DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ X200 Comfort Vest Climbing-Positioning Safety Harness is a great example with a stand-up back D-ring for quick attachment and detachment. Your workers will appreciate the extra comfortable vest design and various adjustment buckles for a fit you can rely on. Connect it with a personal self-retracting lifeline for improved protection during falls from a greater height.

What to Know About Choosing New Climbing-Position Safety Harnesses For Your Crew

There are several measurements you need to take to ensure you're ordering the right size safety harness for each crew member. Models like the ExoFit X200 and the Protecta line of safety harnesses from 3M are available in small and medium-large sizes. Each design may require different measurements, but in general, you can expect to need the following information:

• Worker's total height and torso length from the shoulders to the hips
• Waist width at the widest point
• Total weight
• Total height.

Most sizing charts for safety harnesses start with a general set of measurements such as height and weight. You can further check that a particular size will fit by checking the minimum and maximum fit on the chest, shoulder, thigh, and waist straps. You can find this information in the documentation for each safety harness.

What to Look For in Safety Harnesses for Construction Crews

Padding

Extra padding means extra comfort. The 3M Protecta P200 Comfort Vest Climbing Positioning Safety Harness offers extensive padding throughout the back and chest area to reduce the shock if you fall. For ongoing pressure from working while leaning at an angle, the ExoFit X200's extra padding on the lower half of the harness is highly recommended.

Buckle Style

There's no one perfect buckle for every harness user. Some people prefer tongue buckles, while others would rather use pass-through or quick-connect buckles. They're all safe options, but some are easier to open than others.

Temperature Comfort

Some harnesses feature minimized designs and use breathable polyester webbing to ensure that sweating doesn't become a safety hazard while working in the summer. Winter models are also available with warming panels to reduce the need for extra clothing that could interfere with a secure fit around the body.

D-Ring Positions and Features

Dorsal D-rings are standard for these safety harnesses for safe fall protection, but climbing and positioning harnesses also tend to feature extra attachment points for flexibility when working with both hands. Anti-slide D-ring plates are also recommended to prevent injuries when the fall arrest system is activated. It's a standard feature on the ExoFit X200 harness, while the Protecta P200 has a fixed design that reduces the need for readjustment.

Situations That Call For Climbing Position Safety Harnesses on the Job Site

Whether you choose the affordable 3M Protecta P200 or the extra comfortable ExoFit X200, there are some common situations on the construction job site that call for using either one. OSHA generally requires construction workers to wear safety harnesses with fall protection in situations like:

• Working above the ground on a second or above floor where the walls aren't finished, there are unsecured openings for windows and doors, or there are no railing systems in place
• Working on a lift, cherry picker, or scaffolding, sometimes even if there is sufficient railing around the edges
• Installing or repairing roofs, raised patios, and other areas that pose fall risks
• Leaning or hanging from the edge of a structure to install rebar, weld on a metal structure, or paint exposed surfaces.

Here at CW Hayden, we carry a wide range of safety harnesses to fit almost every situation on the construction site. Start with the fall-arresting power of the 3M Protecta P200, or upgrade to the improved comfort level and security offered by the ExoFit X200. Both harnesses offer a highly adjustable full-body fit and the safety needed to make construction workers feel confident when facing fall risks.