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Harnesses

Safety harnesses keep you clipped in when you are working at height on roofs, towers, scaffolds, or MEWPs, stopping a slip turning into a fall.

On real jobs, a proper full body fall arrest harness beats any old belt every time because it spreads load safely and gives you the right attachment points. Choose the right standard, fit it properly, and match it to your lanyard and anchor so it actually does the job.

What Are Safety Harnesses Used For?

  • Working on scaffold lifts and edge work where a slip is one step from a drop, using a dorsal D ring harness with a fall arrest lanyard to stop a full fall.
  • Roofing and steelwork where you need to move along a line, pairing a working at height harness with the right anchor and energy absorber so the arrest force is managed.
  • MEWP and tower work where you are in and out all day, choosing adjustable safety harnesses with quick release buckles so you can get clipped on fast without twisting straps.
  • Positioning on columns, ladders, or structure where you need both hands free, using a positioning harness setup with side attachment points to hold you steady while you work.
  • Confined space entry and rescue planning where you may need a controlled lift out, using rescue harnesses with front attachment harness points for proper recovery.

Choosing the Right Safety Harnesses

Sorting the right safety harness is simple: match the attachment points and standard to the job, not what looks comfortable on the shelf.

1. Fall arrest vs restraint vs positioning

If there is any chance you can reach an edge and fall, you need a fall arrest harness setup, not just restraint. If the job is keeping you away from the edge entirely, restraint harnesses can work, but only when the system physically prevents the drop. If you need to lean back and work hands-free, look at positioning harnesses with side points, not a basic two point harness.

2. Attachment points and number of points

For most construction safety harnesses, a dorsal D ring harness is the standard for fall arrest. If you are doing ladder systems, rescue, or confined space, a front attachment harness point makes life easier for controlled movement and recovery. Multi point safety harnesses, including three point safety harnesses and five point safety harnesses, are worth it when you genuinely need positioning and rescue options, not just because they look more heavy-duty.

3. Standards you should be looking for

For fall arrest harnesses, EN361 is the key standard for a full body harness. If you are using side points for work positioning, you also want EN358. Do not assume a safety body harness covers positioning just because it has extra webbing, check the rating on the label.

4. Fit, comfort, and adjustment for long shifts

If you are wearing it all day, padded safety harnesses and decent adjusters matter because a badly fitted harness gets loosened or worn wrong, which is when accidents happen. If you are in and out of a harness constantly, quick release safety harness buckles save time, but only if they still lock solid and are easy to inspect.

Safety Harnesses FAQs

Is a safety harness a PPE?

Yes. Safety harnesses are PPE harnesses used for working at height, designed to protect the wearer as part of a fall protection system. It still needs correct selection, fitting, inspection, and a compatible lanyard and anchor to be safe.

What is the difference between a safety belt and a safety harness?

A belt sits around the waist and is generally for restraint or positioning, not for arresting a fall. A full body safety harness spreads load across the body and is what you use for fall arrest harnesses, typically to EN361, because it is designed to keep you supported and reduce injury risk in an arrest.

When must a safety harness be worn?

When the risk assessment and method statement call for it because there is a risk of falling from height and other controls are not enough. On site that usually means edge work, scaffold, MEWPs, towers, roof work, or any task where a fall could happen and you are relying on restraint, positioning, or fall arrest as the control.

How many types of safety harnesses are there?

There are a few main types based on the job and attachment points: fall arrest harnesses, restraint harnesses, positioning harnesses, and rescue or confined space harnesses. You will also see two point, three point, and five point harness layouts, plus dorsal D ring harnesses and front attachment harnesses depending on how you need to connect.

Do all working at height harnesses fit the same, or do I need to size them properly?

You need to size and adjust them properly. A harness that is too loose will ride up and twist, and one that is too tight will get loosened during the day, which is just as bad. Take five minutes to set leg straps, chest strap position, and shoulder adjustment so the attachment point sits where it should and you can still move and climb.

Can I just clip any lanyard onto any harness?

No. The harness, connector, and lanyard type need to match the job and the attachment point you are using. Fall arrest needs the right rated connection and usually an energy absorber, while positioning uses side points and different lanyards, so always check compatibility, standards, and what your method statement specifies.

Who Uses Safety Harnesses on Site?

  • Roofers and cladders who spend all day near edges and need roofing safety harnesses that stay comfortable and don't ride up when you are moving.
  • Scaffolders, steel erectors, and tower teams using scaffold safety harnesses with clear dorsal attachment points for straightforward clip-in and inspections.
  • MEWP operators and maintenance crews who want lightweight safety harnesses with quick adjustment for repeated on and off during call-outs.
  • Industrial and utilities teams, including wind turbine techs, who rely on industrial safety harnesses with multi point options for climbing, positioning, and rescue plans.

The Basics: Understanding Safety Harnesses

A height safety harness is only one part of the system. The harness, lanyard, connectors, and anchor all work together, and the wrong combination is where people get caught out.

1. Full body harness vs belt

Full body harnesses spread arrest forces across the thighs, pelvis, chest, and shoulders, which is what you want in a real fall. A belt on its own is for restraint or positioning only and can cause serious injury if it is used to arrest a fall.

2. Dorsal and front attachment points

A dorsal D ring is the common fall arrest connection point because it keeps the load behind you and helps keep you upright after an arrest. Front attachment points are typically used for access, climbing systems, and rescue style setups where controlled movement and recovery matter.

3. Restraint, positioning, and fall arrest are not the same

Restraint stops you reaching the hazard in the first place, positioning holds you in place to work, and fall arrest is the last line when a fall can happen. The job outcome is simple: pick the system that either prevents the fall entirely, or arrests it safely with the right rated kit.

Safety Harness Accessories That Make the System Work

A harness on its own is not a setup. These are the bits that stop delays on site and keep the system compliant and usable.

1. Energy absorbing lanyards

If you are using fall arrest harnesses, an energy absorber is what reduces the shock load in a real fall. It is the difference between a controlled arrest and getting properly hurt, and it also helps protect anchors and connectors from overload.

2. Connectors and scaffold hooks

The right connectors stop you fighting with clip-on points all day. Big scaffold hooks are made for chunky tubes and steel, while smaller karabiners suit rated anchor points, and using the wrong one is how gates get cross-loaded and damaged.

3. Anchor slings and temporary anchor points

When there is nothing obvious to clip to, an anchor sling gives you a rated option around steelwork or structure without bodging it. It also keeps the connection point where you need it, instead of dragging a lanyard over sharp edges.

4. Harness storage bags and inspection tags

A bag keeps your PPE harness dry and away from grit and UV in the van, which is what ruins webbing over time. Inspection tags make it obvious what is in date and what needs pulling out of service before it ends up back on a worker.

Shop Safety Harnesses at ITS

Whether you need basic two point safety harnesses for straightforward fall arrest or multi point safety harnesses for positioning and rescue planning, we stock the full range in proper trade-ready options. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get compliant and get back to work.

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Harnesses

Safety harnesses keep you clipped in when you are working at height on roofs, towers, scaffolds, or MEWPs, stopping a slip turning into a fall.

On real jobs, a proper full body fall arrest harness beats any old belt every time because it spreads load safely and gives you the right attachment points. Choose the right standard, fit it properly, and match it to your lanyard and anchor so it actually does the job.

What Are Safety Harnesses Used For?

  • Working on scaffold lifts and edge work where a slip is one step from a drop, using a dorsal D ring harness with a fall arrest lanyard to stop a full fall.
  • Roofing and steelwork where you need to move along a line, pairing a working at height harness with the right anchor and energy absorber so the arrest force is managed.
  • MEWP and tower work where you are in and out all day, choosing adjustable safety harnesses with quick release buckles so you can get clipped on fast without twisting straps.
  • Positioning on columns, ladders, or structure where you need both hands free, using a positioning harness setup with side attachment points to hold you steady while you work.
  • Confined space entry and rescue planning where you may need a controlled lift out, using rescue harnesses with front attachment harness points for proper recovery.

Choosing the Right Safety Harnesses

Sorting the right safety harness is simple: match the attachment points and standard to the job, not what looks comfortable on the shelf.

1. Fall arrest vs restraint vs positioning

If there is any chance you can reach an edge and fall, you need a fall arrest harness setup, not just restraint. If the job is keeping you away from the edge entirely, restraint harnesses can work, but only when the system physically prevents the drop. If you need to lean back and work hands-free, look at positioning harnesses with side points, not a basic two point harness.

2. Attachment points and number of points

For most construction safety harnesses, a dorsal D ring harness is the standard for fall arrest. If you are doing ladder systems, rescue, or confined space, a front attachment harness point makes life easier for controlled movement and recovery. Multi point safety harnesses, including three point safety harnesses and five point safety harnesses, are worth it when you genuinely need positioning and rescue options, not just because they look more heavy-duty.

3. Standards you should be looking for

For fall arrest harnesses, EN361 is the key standard for a full body harness. If you are using side points for work positioning, you also want EN358. Do not assume a safety body harness covers positioning just because it has extra webbing, check the rating on the label.

4. Fit, comfort, and adjustment for long shifts

If you are wearing it all day, padded safety harnesses and decent adjusters matter because a badly fitted harness gets loosened or worn wrong, which is when accidents happen. If you are in and out of a harness constantly, quick release safety harness buckles save time, but only if they still lock solid and are easy to inspect.

Safety Harnesses FAQs

Is a safety harness a PPE?

Yes. Safety harnesses are PPE harnesses used for working at height, designed to protect the wearer as part of a fall protection system. It still needs correct selection, fitting, inspection, and a compatible lanyard and anchor to be safe.

What is the difference between a safety belt and a safety harness?

A belt sits around the waist and is generally for restraint or positioning, not for arresting a fall. A full body safety harness spreads load across the body and is what you use for fall arrest harnesses, typically to EN361, because it is designed to keep you supported and reduce injury risk in an arrest.

When must a safety harness be worn?

When the risk assessment and method statement call for it because there is a risk of falling from height and other controls are not enough. On site that usually means edge work, scaffold, MEWPs, towers, roof work, or any task where a fall could happen and you are relying on restraint, positioning, or fall arrest as the control.

How many types of safety harnesses are there?

There are a few main types based on the job and attachment points: fall arrest harnesses, restraint harnesses, positioning harnesses, and rescue or confined space harnesses. You will also see two point, three point, and five point harness layouts, plus dorsal D ring harnesses and front attachment harnesses depending on how you need to connect.

Do all working at height harnesses fit the same, or do I need to size them properly?

You need to size and adjust them properly. A harness that is too loose will ride up and twist, and one that is too tight will get loosened during the day, which is just as bad. Take five minutes to set leg straps, chest strap position, and shoulder adjustment so the attachment point sits where it should and you can still move and climb.

Can I just clip any lanyard onto any harness?

No. The harness, connector, and lanyard type need to match the job and the attachment point you are using. Fall arrest needs the right rated connection and usually an energy absorber, while positioning uses side points and different lanyards, so always check compatibility, standards, and what your method statement specifies.

Who Uses Safety Harnesses on Site?

  • Roofers and cladders who spend all day near edges and need roofing safety harnesses that stay comfortable and don't ride up when you are moving.
  • Scaffolders, steel erectors, and tower teams using scaffold safety harnesses with clear dorsal attachment points for straightforward clip-in and inspections.
  • MEWP operators and maintenance crews who want lightweight safety harnesses with quick adjustment for repeated on and off during call-outs.
  • Industrial and utilities teams, including wind turbine techs, who rely on industrial safety harnesses with multi point options for climbing, positioning, and rescue plans.

The Basics: Understanding Safety Harnesses

A height safety harness is only one part of the system. The harness, lanyard, connectors, and anchor all work together, and the wrong combination is where people get caught out.

1. Full body harness vs belt

Full body harnesses spread arrest forces across the thighs, pelvis, chest, and shoulders, which is what you want in a real fall. A belt on its own is for restraint or positioning only and can cause serious injury if it is used to arrest a fall.

2. Dorsal and front attachment points

A dorsal D ring is the common fall arrest connection point because it keeps the load behind you and helps keep you upright after an arrest. Front attachment points are typically used for access, climbing systems, and rescue style setups where controlled movement and recovery matter.

3. Restraint, positioning, and fall arrest are not the same

Restraint stops you reaching the hazard in the first place, positioning holds you in place to work, and fall arrest is the last line when a fall can happen. The job outcome is simple: pick the system that either prevents the fall entirely, or arrests it safely with the right rated kit.

Safety Harness Accessories That Make the System Work

A harness on its own is not a setup. These are the bits that stop delays on site and keep the system compliant and usable.

1. Energy absorbing lanyards

If you are using fall arrest harnesses, an energy absorber is what reduces the shock load in a real fall. It is the difference between a controlled arrest and getting properly hurt, and it also helps protect anchors and connectors from overload.

2. Connectors and scaffold hooks

The right connectors stop you fighting with clip-on points all day. Big scaffold hooks are made for chunky tubes and steel, while smaller karabiners suit rated anchor points, and using the wrong one is how gates get cross-loaded and damaged.

3. Anchor slings and temporary anchor points

When there is nothing obvious to clip to, an anchor sling gives you a rated option around steelwork or structure without bodging it. It also keeps the connection point where you need it, instead of dragging a lanyard over sharp edges.

4. Harness storage bags and inspection tags

A bag keeps your PPE harness dry and away from grit and UV in the van, which is what ruins webbing over time. Inspection tags make it obvious what is in date and what needs pulling out of service before it ends up back on a worker.

Shop Safety Harnesses at ITS

Whether you need basic two point safety harnesses for straightforward fall arrest or multi point safety harnesses for positioning and rescue planning, we stock the full range in proper trade-ready options. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get compliant and get back to work.

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