The Importance of Safety Harnesses – Ensuring Worker Safety at Heights

Safety harnesses are designed to prevent operators from falling while working at height. When a professional is wearing a safety harness, this significantly reduces the risk of injury from a potential fall. There are lots of different safety harnesses on the market today, each with different straps and restraints, and these are tailored to whatever environment someone is working in. If a job involves tasks at height, then safety harnesses need to be part of the process.

When are safety harnesses necessary?

There are two main situations where safety harnesses are essential: when a role involves working at height, and when there is a risk of a fall. If someone is working at height, then safety harnesses are usually used in conjunction with fall arrest or restraint lanyards. These will either catch someone when they fall or ensure that someone working at height isn’t able to move into an area of risk. If the harness is being used because there is a risk of falling, then this can be a requirement even where that risk is small, and the height is low. We must remember that even the smallest falls can result in broken bones and other serious injuries.

What are the legal requirements for safety harnesses?

Every workplace is different and it’s important to recognise that this will mean different standards need to be met. However, it is generally accepted that there must always be protection where there is an unprotected edge with a fall of 6ft or more. This is a rule that has variations attached to it; In particular for scaffolders and steelworkers this rule may vary. The Health and Safety Executive provides the guidelines on what the legal requirements are when it comes to safety harnesses – and how these apply to all the different industries.

How do safety harnesses ensure worker safety at heights?

Because even the smallest fall from a relatively low height can still do damage it’s vital to have the right protection in place. An unsafe workplace is not acceptable in 2023, and it’s the responsibility of the employer to ensure that the right precautions are being taken. Safety harnesses use a system of straps and restraints to provide specific protection for those whose work regularly takes them off the ground. Whether that is arrest – i.e., a safety harness that stops someone from falling – or restraint, which means a harness that prevents them from entering the danger zone, the right kind of equipment is a vital part of ensuring worker safety at heights. In fact, a workplace where height is a factor simply isn’t going to be safe without safety harnesses as part of the kit. Safety harnesses should always be selected based on the industry they are going to be used in and the specific role that they are designed to support – remember to properly assess the risks that are attached to that role.

Safety harnesses are vital when it comes to ensuring worker safety at heights and protecting the workforce.

At Trans-Web, we have been manufacturing height safety equipment for over 35 years. To request a bespoke package for your project, contact us today!