ERGODYNE 3197 Manual Del Usuario página 9

managed fall protection program, including policies,
duties and training; fall protection procedures;
eliminating and controlling fall hazards; rescue
procedures; incident investigations; and evaluating
program effectiveness.
2. Correct fit of a Full Body Harness is essential to
proper performance. Users must be trained to
select the size and maintain the fit of their Full Body
Harness.
3. Users must follow manufacturer's instructions for
proper fit and sizing, paying particular attention
to ensure that buckles are connected and aligned
correctly, leg straps and shoulder straps are kept snug
at all times, chest straps are located in the middle
chest area and leg straps are positioned and snug to
avoid contact with the genitalia should a fall occur.
4. Full Body Harnesses which meet ANSI/ASSE Z359.11
are intended to be used with other components of a
Personal Fall Arrest system that limit maximum arrest
forces to 1800 pounds (8 kN) or less.
5. Suspension intolerance, also called suspension trauma
or orthostatic intolerance, is a serious condition that
can be controlled with good harness design, prompt
rescue and post fall suspension relief devices.
A conscious user may deploy a suspension relief
device allowing the user to remove tension from
around the legs, freeing blood flow, which can delay
the onset of suspension intolerance. An attachment
element extender is not intended to be attached
directly to an anchorage or anchorage connector
for fall arrest. An energy absorber must be used to
limit maximum arrest forces to 1800 pounds (8 kN).
The length of the attachment element extender
may affect free fall distances and free fall clearance
calculations.
6. Full Body Harness (FBH) Stretch, the amount the
FBH component of a personal fall arrest system will
stretch and deform during a fall, can contribute to
the overall elongation of the system in stopping a fall.
It is important to include the increase in fall distance
created by FBH Stretch, as well as the FBH connector
length, the settling of the user's body in the FBH and
all other contributing factors when calculating total
clearance required for a particular fall arrest system.
7. When not in use, unused lanyard legs that are still
attached to a Full Body Harness D-ring should not
be attached to a work positioning element or any
other structural element on the Full Body Harness
unless deemed acceptable by the competent person
and manufacturer of the lanyard. This is especially
important when using some types of "Y" style
lanyards, as some load may be transmitted to the
user through the unused lanyard leg if it is not able
to release from the harness. The lanyard parking
attachment is generally located in the sternal area to
help reduce tripping and entanglement hazards.
8. Loose ends of straps can get caught in machinery
or cause accidental disengagement of an adjuster.
All Full Body Harnesses shall include keepers or
other components which serve to control the
loose ends of straps.
9. Due to the nature of soft loop connections, it is
recommended that soft loop attachments only be
used to connect with other soft loops or carabiners.
Snap hooks should not be used unless approved for
the application by the manufacturer.
Sections 11-17 provide additional information concerning
the location and use of various attachments that may be
provided on this FBH.
10. Dorsal – The dorsal attachment element shall be
used as the primary fall arrest attachment, unless
the application allows the use of an alternate
attachment. The dorsal attachment may also be
used for travel restraint or rescue. When supported
by the dorsal attachment during a fall, the design of
the Full Body Harness shall direct load through the
shoulder straps supporting the user, and around the
thighs. Supporting the user, post fall, by the dorsal
attachment will result in an upright body position
with a slight lean to the front with some slight
pressure to the lower chest. Considerations should
be made when choosing a sliding versus fixed dorsal
attachment element. Sliding dorsal attachments are
generally easier to adjust to different user sizes, and
allow a more vertical rest position post fall, but can
increase FBH Stretch.
11. Sternal – The sternal attachment may be used as
an alternative fall arrest attachment in applications
where the dorsal attachment is determined to be
inappropriate by a competent person, and where
there is no chance to fall in a direction other than feet
first. Accepted practical uses for a sternal attachment
include, but are not limited to, ladder climbing with
a guided type fall arrester, ladder climbing with an
overhead self-retracting lifeline for fall arrest, work
positioning and rope access. The sternal attachment
may also be used for travel restraint or rescue. When
supported by the sternal attachment during a fall,
the design of the Full Body Harness shall direct load
through the shoulder straps supporting the user, and
around the thighs. Supporting the user, post fall, by
the sternal attachment will result in roughly a sitting
or cradled body position with weight concentrated
on the thighs, buttocks and lower back. Supporting
the user during work positioning by this sternal
attachment will result in an approximate upright
body position. If the sternal attachment is used for
fall arrest, the competent person evaluating the
application should take measures to ensure that a fall
can only occur feet first. This may include limiting the
allowable free fall distance. It may be possible for a
sternal attachment incorporated into an adjustable
style chest strap to cause the chest strap to slide up
and possibly choke the user during a fall, extraction,
suspension, etc. The competent person should
consider Full Body Harness models with a fixed
sternal attachment for these applications.
12. Frontal – The frontal attachment serves as a ladder
climbing connection for guided type fall arresters
where there is no chance to fall in a direction other
than feet first, or may be used for work positioning.
Supporting the user, post fall or during work
positioning, by the frontal attachment will result in a
sitting body position, with the upper torso upright,
with weight concentrated on the thighs and buttocks.
When supported by the frontal attachment the design
of the Full Body Harness shall direct load directly
around the thighs and under the buttocks by means
of the sub-pelvic strap. If the frontal attachment is
used for fall arrest, the competent person evaluating
the application should take measures to ensure that a
fall can only occur feet first. This may include limiting
the allowable free fall distance.
13. Shoulder – The shoulder attachment elements shall
be used as a pair, and are an acceptable attachment
for rescue and entry/retrieval. The shoulder
attachment elements shall not be used for fall arrest.
It is recommended that the shoulder attachment
elements be used in conjunction with a yoke which
incorporates a spreader element to keep the Full
Body Harness shoulder straps separate.
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