In this episode Zach Lawler, Quality and Application Engineer for 3M’s Fall Protection Business in the Personal Safety Division joins host Mark Reggers to discuss fall protection body harnesses.

A full-body harness is a critical component of a fall protection system used when working at height. In the event of a fall, the harness retains the wearer keeping them connected to the anchorage it is attached to while distributing the forces generated in the fall to areas of the body that are more capable of withstanding them.

Guest Bio:

Zach Lawler (pictured left) Zach Lawler is a Mechanical Engineer who started his career as a test technician in the Capital Safety fall protection laboratory. Zach has been with 3M since they acquired Capital Safety in 2015 and has gone on to become the Test Laboratory Supervisor and Fall Protection Quality and Application Engineer.

He works to ensure that end users have the right equipment for their task and that it is of the highest quality and safety. With his foundation of practical experience testing to AS/NZS standards and product knowledge, Zach has joined the Standards Australia SF-015 committee to assist in development of industrial height safety standards.

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In this episode, Mark & Zach discuss the following:

• What are the ABCD’s of fall protection?
• What does a body harness do in the event of a fall, and how does it help protect the worker?
• What should a workplace consider when selecting a harness?
• Different harnesses have different D-rings and attachment points, where and what should they be attaching to these?
• Does what the harness is made of make a difference in the event of a fall, and does padding help?
• How tight should a harness be worn, and how should it be positioned on the body?
• Can you look at a harness and tell if it has been involved in a fall?
• Do harnesses come in different sizes, and what is recommended for female workers?
• Some harnesses have suspension relief straps, what are these for, and must all harnesses have them?
• Are there any special application harnesses?
• What are the maintenance and inspection requirements of body harnesses?
• Can you wash a harness?
• Are there any big No-Nos when it comes to Body harnesses?
• What takeaway points would you want to leave with our listeners?
• Where can the listeners go to get further information on Fall protection Connectors?

A full-body harness is more than a series of webbing straps sewn together. It is an elaborate life-saving device, one that requires careful consideration in all aspects of its selection, use, maintenance and inspection. Harnesses have evolved over the years to take into account a wide variety of factors such as comfort, specialty materials and attributes geared to industry-specific applications. Full-body harnesses can include such features as additional back and lumbar support, positioning rings, tool carrying options, and specialty materials and construction offering fire resistance or arc flash protection to safeguard workers in even the most precarious work scenarios. Tune in as we explore all aspects of full-body harnesses and their role in working safely at heights to keep workers secure in the event of a fall.

Additional Resources:

• Podcast Transcript
• SafeWork Australia – Working at Heights
• WorkSafe NZ – Working at Heights
• SafeWork NSW – Working at Heights
• WorkSafe QLD – Working at Heights
• WorkSafe Victoria – Fall Prevention
• SafeWork SA – Fall Prevention
• WorkSafe WA – Working at Heights FAQ
• WorkSafe NT – Managing the risk of falls at workplaces Code of Practice
• WorkSafe Tasmania – Heights
• ACT Government – Stop Construction Falls
• Working at Heights Association
• SAI Global – AS/NZS 1891.4:2009
• 3M Fall Protection Solutions

Contact a 3M Safety Specialist at scienceofsafetyanz@mmm.com for more information.