PICKING YOUR ROOFING HARNESS
My DO's and DO NOTS.
DO: Learn to use pre-sternal ring (at your chest) along with keeping your rope tight. Limit any free fall to 2 feet or less.
OSHA 1910.140 (c)(22) pertaining to fall protection in the general industry permits: "The attachment point may be located in the pre-sternal position if the free fall distance is limited to 2 feet or less." Generally, you will find rope access workers utilizing the pre-sternal ring, but is also perfectly suited for working on ladders and steep roof work. A tight rope will save a life, and a suspension from the pre-sternal rings (try it) is much more comfortable than the dorsal ring. It will allow self-rescue, assisted rescue, or simply just greatly increase the safe suspension time duration (allowing more time for a rescue) because the femoral veins are not cut off by the harness leg straps.
DO: Buy a harness with a pelvic (belt buckle position) ring if you really want to learn to work safely, and comfortably on steep pitch roofs.
DO: Buy a harness with quick release leg buckles. They are fantastic and you'll never regret it.
DO: Inspect your harness before each use. Expect to replace them periodically. They don't last forever, and that's ok.
DO: Write a Site Specific Fall Protection Plan if you are an employer, and stick to it. A Daily Safety Checklist is awesome too.
DO: Give up wearing a tool belt and switch to suspending all your tools off your harness loops in gear bags.
DO NOT: Expect a worker to use their harness and ANY rope properly, without training and practice.
DO NOT: Expect a dorsal ring attachment point to save someone's life without a speedy rescue system on site and ready to use. A six minute suspension from the dorsal ring may result in death, even after the rescue. My team does not use the dorsal ring. Google "suspension trauma" to learn more.
DO: Learn to use pre-sternal ring (at your chest) along with keeping your rope tight. Limit any free fall to 2 feet or less.
OSHA 1910.140 (c)(22) pertaining to fall protection in the general industry permits: "The attachment point may be located in the pre-sternal position if the free fall distance is limited to 2 feet or less." Generally, you will find rope access workers utilizing the pre-sternal ring, but is also perfectly suited for working on ladders and steep roof work. A tight rope will save a life, and a suspension from the pre-sternal rings (try it) is much more comfortable than the dorsal ring. It will allow self-rescue, assisted rescue, or simply just greatly increase the safe suspension time duration (allowing more time for a rescue) because the femoral veins are not cut off by the harness leg straps.
DO: Buy a harness with a pelvic (belt buckle position) ring if you really want to learn to work safely, and comfortably on steep pitch roofs.
DO: Buy a harness with quick release leg buckles. They are fantastic and you'll never regret it.
DO: Inspect your harness before each use. Expect to replace them periodically. They don't last forever, and that's ok.
DO: Write a Site Specific Fall Protection Plan if you are an employer, and stick to it. A Daily Safety Checklist is awesome too.
DO: Give up wearing a tool belt and switch to suspending all your tools off your harness loops in gear bags.
DO NOT: Expect a worker to use their harness and ANY rope properly, without training and practice.
DO NOT: Expect a dorsal ring attachment point to save someone's life without a speedy rescue system on site and ready to use. A six minute suspension from the dorsal ring may result in death, even after the rescue. My team does not use the dorsal ring. Google "suspension trauma" to learn more.
People come in different sizes, harnesses should too.
Petzl harnesses come in 3 different sizes (size 0, 1, 2).
Petzl harnesses come in 3 different sizes (size 0, 1, 2).
Note: Only gear that has an ANSI certification, automatically meets or exceeds OSHA standards.
FalconNot OSHA compliant by itself.
Designed for suspended rescue operations, so it's light, super comfortable, durable, with lots of places to hang gear. Add the TOP or Top Croll L to turn this into a full body harness with a sternal ring attachment point. Retail was $219.95 pre-tariff. |
TopThis easily attaches to the Falcon, and the carabiner on the front makes it simple to put this harness on and take it off.
Retail was $119.95 pre-tariff. There is no dorsal ring present. |
TogetherNotice the Top carabiner attaches through Pelvic webbing BEHIND the Pelvic ring, not to the Pelvic ring itself.
Together, this system meets CE EN 361 , UKCA, and EAC standards (most of Europe and parts of Asia). It DOES NOT meet ANSI standards, so it does not guarantee OSHA compliancy, however, it may still exceed OSHA requirements used properly. |
Volt - InternationalComfortable, extremely versatile, and SO easy to get in and out of, even with both feet on the ground! Meets ANSI Z359.11 and retails was $369.95 pre-tariff. This harness is great for fall protection on walkable roofs. It was my favorite harness for years while visiting job sites and doing more managing at height than working.
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AVAO BOD FAST INTERNATIONALOur team has worn this model harness since 2015. It's our go-to for being able to work safely on steep pitches. It's the best you can buy, and is certified ANSI Z359.11. Retail was $509.95 pre-tariff.
Notice the torso connecting carabiner attaches through the webbing behind the pelvic carabiner (not to it). This also makes the harness fairly easy to put on. |
