Fall Protection: Harnesses, Lanyards and Anchors

The ABC of fall arrest

Anchorage, Body support, Connector.

• Anchorage: 5,000 lb per attached worker, or a system designed by a qualified person with a 2:1 safety factor
• Body support: a full-body harness — body belts are not permitted for fall arrest
• Connector: shock-absorbing lanyard or self-retracting lifeline (SRL) matched to the fall distance

Lanyard or SRL — clearance decides

A 6 ft shock-absorbing lanyard can need roughly 18.5 ft of clearance below the walking surface once free fall, deceleration distance, harness stretch, worker height and a safety margin are added. A leading-edge SRL arrests in a much shorter distance, which is why SRLs are the usual answer for lower steel, scissor lifts and decking.

Harness fit and features

Choose by attachment points and how the harness is worn all day: dorsal D-ring for fall arrest, side D-rings for positioning, front D-ring for ladder climbing and rescue. Tongue-buckle legs are cheaper; quick-connect saves real time on crews that gear up and down repeatedly.

Inspection and retirement

The user inspects before every use, and a competent person inspects at least annually per ANSI/ASSP Z359. Any harness, lanyard or SRL that has arrested a fall is removed from service permanently.

Kitting for crews

Most crews are better served by a pre-built kit — harness, connector, anchor and bag issued together with the worker's name on it. Our kit builder assembles fall protection kits by trade and keeps the list saved for reorders.