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HEALTH AND SAFETY MANUAL

DHI-EHS-HSM-008

HARNESS AND BELTS

Copyright This document is the property of Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction and all rights are
reserved in respect of it. This document may not be reproduced or disclosed in any manner what so ever, in
whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Doosan.

Doosan expressly disclaims any responsibility for or liability arising from the use
of this document by any third party. Copies printed are UNCONTROLLED.

Revision Details Next Review: January 2015


Rev. Date Revision Status Checked Approved

00 31/03/2014 Draft Yonghyun Kim Seungmin Park

DHI-EHS-HSM-008 (March 2014), Page 1 of 4


PURPOSE AND SCOPE

To provide direction and assist in the selection, use and inspection of the various types of fall
protection/prevention devices that could be used on any site where personnel are at risk from fall from heights.
Additional control measures may be required depending on project and country requirements.

PROCEDURE

1.0 General
In certain circumstances the provision and use of harnesses and belts is necessary. They provide valuable
protection but are not a total substitute for effective fall prevention measures.

It should be noted that safety belts are now not considered suitable as a means of fall arrest and should only be
used as a fall restraint device. With this in mind only full body harnesses should be worn when working at height
without fall prevention measures in place.

2.0 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment


The assessment must take into consideration the need to provide harnesses and belts. They should be used as
a last resort where protected working platforms e.g. scaffold, mobile elevated work platforms cannot be used.
The assessment should identify the number of persons using the duration of use and the number of anchor
points/running lines available.

3.0 Risk Checklist


 Access to workplace being safe.
 Number of anchor points/running lines.
 Security of anchor points/running lines.
 Correct, secure clipping of karabiner to anchor points.
 Correct wearing of harness.
 Positioning of lanyard karabiner to harness webbing.
 Checking for damaged webbing

4.0 Control Measures


There are several types of harnesses and belts available and include:

Pole Belt (Type A)


Pole belts are designed for the use of linesman and others required to work on poles or similar structures in
conditions where the belts are continuously loaded. They are not intended for use in situations permitting a drop
of more than 0.6m.

General Purpose Safety Belts (Type B)


General-purpose safety belts are belts used in conjunction with safety lanyards incorporating attachment
devices for attachment to anchorage points. They are intended for use where mobility can be limited

DHI-EHS-HSM-008 (March 2014), Page 2 of 4


and where the combined effects of the anchorage point position and length of lanyard limits the drop
within a maximum of 1.2m.

Chest Harnesses (Type C)


Chest harnesses are harnesses used in connection with safety lanyards, for attachment to anchorage
points. They incorporate a chest belt with shoulder straps, linked together by a strong fabric, either at
the front or at the rear, capable of providing support for the torso.

General Purpose Safety Harnesses (Type D)


General-purpose safety harnesses incorporating thigh straps and shoulder straps used in conjunction
with Safety lanyards, for attachment to anchorage points. Harnesses may be built into lightweight carrier
suits. They are intended for use where freedom of movement is required but where the combined
effects of the position of the anchorage, the length of the lanyard, the attachment point on the harness
and the length of any extensible webbing limits the drop to a maximum of 2m.

Safety Rescue Harnesses (Type E)


Safety rescue harnesses are worn by persons working in confined spaces where there is a risk of being
overcome by noxious gases or fumes, or as in coal bunkers, slack hoppers, grain silos and the like,
where there is the danger of suffocating by immersion in the material on which they are standing. They
should be used in conjunction with rescue lines category with the requirements.
Rescue harnesses although primarily intended for withdrawal in the event of an accident are intended
also for a maximum drop of 0.6m.

5.0 Approved Harnesses


The use of Type A, B and C and harnesses are prohibited on all Doosan Project. A general purpose
harness (Type D) is to be used in all situations. However the Safety rescue harness (Type E) is
permitted to be used in confined space work were rescues maybe required.

6.0 Safety Harness Usage


When a working platform cannot be provided and where there is no facility to fix safety nets, or the rapid
movement of the work would not sensibly permit the fixing of safety nets, then safety harnesses must be
used where persons can fall more than 1.8 meters.

All belts and harnesses must be in good condition and inspected prior to use.
Suitable fixing points must be established such that, so far as possible, persons have free movement
without the need to constantly unclip and re-fix the harness or belt. A running line may be possible.
Where the foregoing distances do not permit sufficient range of movement, then inertia reels may be
used provided that the maximum free fall distances are not exceeded.
All persons required to wear harnesses or belts must be given adequate instruction in the application
and maintenance of their equipment.

DHI-EHS-HSM-008 (March 2014), Page 3 of 4


7.0 Emergency Planning
A work using safety Harness as the primary means of fall protection shall not be allowed to work alone.
A means of rescue needs to be planned prior to authorizing the use of safety harnesses as a fall
prevention control.

8.0 Harnesses and Belts Safety Checklist


 Have other means of preventing fall been considered?
 Is all equipment suitable and in good condition?
 Are persons trained in the use of the equipment?
 Are anchor points adequate and secure?
 Is access to the place of work safe to prevent falls?

DHI-EHS-HSM-008 (March 2014), Page 4 of 4

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