When it comes to fall protection, few measures provide greater value than solutions like guardrails, bumplines and access ladders. However, as a building manager or owner, you can take safety levels even further by implementing safety harnesses as a secondary layer of defence. In this comprehensive guide, we provide safety guidance on how to use these solutions properly, the key features to look for when selecting one and the legal requirements in Canada that mandate their use.

Before we start, it is crucial to understand that when it comes to ensuring the safety of workers at height, fall prevention systems like guardrails and safe access ladders are essential and should form a primary element of your approach to creating a safer environment at height. These systems prevent falls from happening in the first place by providing robust barriers and secure access points, potentially eliminating the need for safety harnesses depending on the application.

However, this is not to say that safety harnesses don’t provide significant safety benefits, particularly in environments where additional risks might be present or during activities where workers might temporarily bypass primary defences or safety protocols. In these scenarios, harnesses offer a critical safety net, ensuring that the individual is protected from serious injury if a fall does occur.

Safety Harnesses: Understanding the Law in Canada

Across Canada, the use of fall protection systems is mandated under provincial occupational health and safety regulations. The Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations stipulate that employers must provide fall protection systems when workers are exposed to heights of 3 meters (10 feet) or more.

It is important to note that each province will have its own regulations that may have additional requirements. As an example, let’s take a look at what some of these differences entail across Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta:

• Ontario: Ontario’s regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act require safety harnesses for any work at heights of 3 meters or more.
• Alberta: In contrast, Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Code may stipulate additional requirements such as the use of specific types of harnesses or additional fall protection measures under certain conditions.
• British Columbia: British Columbia, meanwhile, mandates that all safety harnesses meet or exceed specific safety standards outlined in their regulations, with rigorous compliance checks.

Safety Harnesses: Critical Components and Key Features

While designs differ, safety harnesses generally work by distributing the force of a fall across the body, thereby reducing the risk of serious injury. Indeed, when combined with other fall protection systems like lanyards, anchor points and lifeline ladders, this risk is reduced even further. 

In the following sections, we outline the key components of any safety harness, as well as the key features you should be looking for when specifying these products for your own rooftop.

An Overview of Key Components in Safety Harnesses

Contrary to popular belief, a safety harness is more than just a simple strap. These are highly sophisticated fall arrest systems that include multiple components to ensure the safety of workers at height. See below for a breakdown of those components:

• Dorsal d-ring: This component can be found on the back of the harness, and is the primary attachment point used on the individual’s lanyard or the lifeline ladder they’re using. The dorsal d-ring should be based between the wearer’s shoulder blades to ensure proper balance in the event of a fall.
• Shoulder straps: These straps are worn over the shoulders, and are critical in distributing the overall force of a fall across the upper body. Shoulder straps should be fully adjustable to fit snugly on an individual without restricting movement.
• Chest strap: This element of a safety harness should be fastened at the sternum and properly adjusted for a secure fit. This component keeps the shoulder straps in place and stops them from sliding off during a fall.
• Leg straps: These straps wrap around the thighs and are vital for distributing the force of a fall across the legs and lower body. Again, these should be properly adjusted to fit in a way that avoids discomfort and ensures safety.
• Sub-pelvic strap: This strap runs under the buttocks and further supports the body during a fall. This component is especially important when it comes to preventing serious injuries to the lower spine and internal organs.
• Lanyards & lifelines: These are the connecting elements between the harness and the anchor point. Lanyards may be shock-absorbing to reduce the force on the body during a fall, while lifelines provide mobility while remaining secure.

What to Look for in a Safety Harness

While designs of safety harnesses are broadly similar, many offer different features. Several of these features should be considered to ensure safety, comfort and compliance with Canadian safety regulations. Here’s what to look for:

• Adjustability: As previously mentioned, a good harness should have multiple attachment points to fit different body types. When specifying a harness, be sure to look out for easily accessible buckles and sliders.
• Padding: Opting for a harness with thick padding across the shoulder, leg and waist areas not only enhances comfort, but also prevents chafing and distributes pressure more evenly across the body.
• Weight capacity: Ensure that the harness is rated for the weight of the worker, including any tools or equipment they may be carrying. Overloading a harness can compromise its effectiveness. The higher the weight capacity, the better.
• Durability: The harness should be made from high-quality, durable materials that can withstand harsh conditions, including exposure to UV rays, chemicals, and abrasion.
• Fall indication features: Some harnesses come with built-in fall indication features that change colour or break away after a fall, indicating that the harness has been subjected to a significant force and should be replaced.
• Ease of inspection: Regular inspection is crucial for maintaining the safety of a harness. Look for harnesses with clear labelling and easy-to-access components for quick and thorough inspections.

How to Use Safety Harnesses Properly

Knowing how to use a safety harness correctly is just as important as choosing the right one. This is where creating a culture of safety across your organization comes into play. Comprehensive training must accompany the introduction of any fall arrest system, and this especially applies to safety harnesses. 

Any training process regarding your team’s use of safety harnesses should address a number of key areas, starting with pre-use inspections. This should cover how to conduct checks for signs of wear, damage or fraying across the straps, buckles or d-ring. It should also include guidance on how to wear the harness safely, with steps on slipping straps over arms, fastening chest straps and positioning the d-ring safely between the shoulder blades.

Beyond pre-use inspections and guidance on donning the harness, your training protocols should also address how to safely attach the harness to anchor points. On this point, it is essential to make your workers aware of the importance of attaching to anchor points that are rated for the weight of the worker, as well as any tools or equipment they may be carrying, with the anchor point located overhead to reduce free fall distance.

When it comes to training your users on how to use a harness safely, always remember the three points of contact principle. When climbing or moving at height, your team should maintain three points of contact (for example, two hands and one feet or two feet and one hand) to reduce the risk of slipping or falling.

Finally, your training protocols should address the critical importance of post-use re-inspections. Ensure your workers know how to periodically check the fit of their harness throughout the day, particularly if they have been moving or climbing extensively. Always remember that straps loosen over time, so constant readjustment is an absolute necessity.

Going Beyond Compliance

Safety harnesses are a vital component of any fall protection system for workers at heights. By understanding the key features to look for, how to use them properly, and the legal requirements in Canada, employers can create a safer work environment and protect their employees from the dangers of working at height. 

Remember, while compliance with regulations is essential, going beyond the minimum requirements and investing in high-quality, well-maintained equipment and comprehensive training can make all the difference in preventing accidents and saving lives. 

Skyline Group: Elevated Work, Elevated Safety

Here at Skyline Group, we’re more than just a supplier: we’re the complete safety partner you need to protect your people, your company and your brand. To get started, browse our full selection of safety solutions. Alternatively, book an On-site Sales Consultation or reach out to one of our safety experts to learn more.