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Correct way to wear fall arrest safety harnesses
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murray-t  
#1 Posted : 30 August 2014 13:19:05(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
murray-t
I'm the clients H&S representative and at the moment I'm having a difference of opinion with the PC's H&S manager, on site we have a company of steel erecters who are using MEWP's (cherry pickers) to work at height, the problem is they are wearing their safety harnesses under their waterproof jackets with the lanyards coming out from the bottom. The PC's H&S manager is ok with this but I have always been told this isn't the correct way and that they should always be worn on the outside of clothing.

I've spent some time looking on the internet for the correct way to wear them but can't find anything, so if anyone can point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Murray
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frankc  
#2 Posted : 30 August 2014 14:25:43(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
frankc
murray-t wrote:
I'm the clients H&S representative and at the moment I'm having a difference of opinion with the PC's H&S manager, on site we have a company of steel erecters who are using MEWP's (cherry pickers) to work at height, the problem is they are wearing their safety harnesses under their waterproof jackets with the lanyards coming out from the bottom. The PC's H&S manager is ok with this but I have always been told this isn't the correct way and that they should always be worn on the outside of clothing.

I've spent some time looking on the internet for the correct way to wear them but can't find anything, so if anyone can point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Murray


The lanyard and harness should be on the outside of the waterproof jackets. I have one myself and they are quite heavy. I would however be more concerned that a H&S Rep and a H&S Manager should have a difference of opinion on this subject and not the fact the Steel Erectors are wearing FALL ARREST instead of RESTRAINT whilst in a Cherry Picker.
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Martin Gray  
#3 Posted : 30 August 2014 16:23:39(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Martin Gray
Murray
Under no circumstances should the harness be worn under a coat with either restraint or fall arrest lanyards coming out from the BOTTOM of the coat. If the person were to fall the coat would ride up and could possibly choke them.
The other reason for not wearing a harness under a coat would be from a rescue point of view. The rescuer would need access to the rear or front D ring (dependant on the harness worn) it must be visible in order to effect a connection if using a Gotcha for example.
Martin
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alexmccreadie13  
#4 Posted : 01 September 2014 07:41:49(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
alexmccreadie13
Murray
I would suggest that if the Lanyards are coming out from under the jacket then they are Fall Restraint?

Look upon it in a practical Safety manner, what real good are they like that.

The Lanyards possibly 1 meter long have lost 50% of their capability being stuck under the jacket before they do the job intended.

IMO a quick toolbox talk in the Operators ear will show them the error of their ways. For good measure invite the PCs Safety Manager as well to show them why this practice is wrong.

Regards Alex
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Cuttell35960  
#5 Posted : 05 April 2016 07:45:54(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Cuttell35960
Does anyone have any photo's (real or animated) of what happens in the event of a fall when the harness is worn under a coat.
I am preparing a TBT and I can't find anything pictoral on the web
Thanks

Allan
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Oldroyd19659  
#6 Posted : 05 April 2016 16:49:53(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Oldroyd19659
As a general principal it is recommended that the use of FALL RESTRAINT systems is encouraged when utilising MEWPS. This is so that operators are trained, practiced and accustomed to working with such equipment. Fall arrest systems are not generally recommended for use in MEWPs due to the lack of suitable anchor points and the uninvestigated affects of fall arrest forces on MEWP stability.

I would suggest some of you read HSE Guidance "The selection, management and use of mobile elevating work platforms" GIS No 6" Page 3. You could also look at the manufacturers guidance for each machine they will note FALL RESTRAINT.

If you look on the MEWP they usually have warning stickers noting FALL RESTRAINT.......

HSE Guidance at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis6.htm

IPAF guidance notes the same.

PS I agree it should be worn outside the coat.
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boblewis  
#7 Posted : 05 April 2016 20:05:18(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
boblewis
Oldroyd19659 wrote:
As a general principal it is recommended that the use of FALL RESTRAINT systems is encouraged when utilising MEWPS. This is so that operators are trained, practiced and accustomed to working with such equipment. Fall arrest systems are not generally recommended for use in MEWPs due to the lack of suitable anchor points and the uninvestigated affects of fall arrest forces on MEWP stability.

I would suggest some of you read HSE Guidance "The selection, management and use of mobile elevating work platforms" GIS No 6" Page 3. You could also look at the manufacturers guidance for each machine they will note FALL RESTRAINT.

If you look on the MEWP they usually have warning stickers noting FALL RESTRAINT.......

HSE Guidance at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis6.htm

IPAF guidance notes the same.

PS I agree it should be worn outside the coat.




More correctly they are required for Boom type MEWPS. On other types they are not necessary except in rare risk assessed tasks. Climbing on rail prevention does not fall into the latter risk assessed area for me - It is rather a problem of poor training and or poor supervision
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