A full body harness with an appropriate lanyard is personal fall protection equipment used as a last resort when collective measures like guardrails are not practicable. The harness must be correctly fitted, the lanyard attached to a suitable anchor point, and the fall clearance distance calculated before use. Incorrectly worn harnesses provide false confidence and can cause serious injury during a fall arrest event. Training and competence are essential for every user.
Key Hazards
Fatal falls if harness is incorrectly worn or lanyard attached to an inadequate anchor
Suspension trauma if a fallen worker hangs motionless in a harness for too long
Equipment failure from damaged or uninspected harnesses and connecting devices
Insufficient fall clearance causing the user to hit the ground despite the system deploying
Control Measures
Receive formal training in harness fitting, lanyard selection, and anchor point identification before use.
Inspect your harness and lanyard before every use following the manufacturer's pre-use checklist.
Adjust all harness straps so the D-ring sits centrally between the shoulder blades.
Select the correct lanyard type: restraint to prevent reaching the edge, or fall arrest with energy absorber.
Attach only to anchor points rated for the required load and approved by a competent person.
Calculate the total fall clearance distance including lanyard length, energy absorber deployment, and body height.
Ensure a rescue plan is in place and tested before starting any work using fall arrest equipment.
Remove from service any harness or lanyard that has been involved in a fall arrest event.
Store harnesses in clean, dry conditions away from chemicals, sharp objects, and UV exposure.
Emergency / Rescue
If a worker is suspended in a harness after a fall, activate the rescue plan immediately. Suspension trauma can become life-threatening within 15 minutes. Lower the casualty to the ground as quickly as possible and call 999.
Remember
A harness only protects you if it is correctly fitted, inspected, and attached to a rated anchor point.
The back D-ring must sit between the shoulder blades — too high or too low reduces its effectiveness.
Calculate the total fall clearance before using fall arrest to ensure you will not hit the ground.
Suspension trauma can kill within 15 minutes so a tested rescue plan must always be in place.
Inspect every component of your harness and lanyard before each use without exception.
After any fall arrest event, remove all equipment from service immediately for formal inspection.
Applicable Legislation: Work at Height Regulations 2005 · PPE at Work Regulations 2022 · BS 8437 (Code of Practice for Fall Arrest) · BS EN 361 (Full Body Harnesses)