Fall Protection Harnesses

Most safety harnesses fit into one of the four safety equipment classes:

• Class I: Body Belts.
• Class II: Seat Harnesses.
• Class III: Full Body Harnesses.
• Class IV: Suspension Belts.

CLASSIFICATION OF FULL BODY HARNESS (FOR CLASS III)

Full-body harnesses are the core of fall protection systems. Selecting the right harness for each situation will mitigate risk and keep you safe and secure throughout your work at height.

Here are the different classifications of full-body harness systems:

Class A Fall Arrest (CE EN 361): Class A full-body harnesses are designed to support the body during and after the arrest of a fall with a single dorsal D‐ring on the back that connects a fall arrest lanyard or other fall arrest component.

Class L Ladder Climbing (CE EN 361): Class L full-body harnesses are designed with a sternal D‐ring so the user can be connected at the front while avoiding a long connection to the dorsal D‐ring. These systems are typically mounted on or adjacent to ladders or towers.

Class P Positioning (CE EN 361, CE EN 358):  Class P full-body harnesses are designed to position the worker during a work operation with side positioning D-rings at the hip position.

Class D Suspension (CE EN 361, CE EN 358, CE EN 813): Class D full-body harnesses are designed for suspension or controlled descent from a height, with an abdominal D‐ring that can be attached to a descent system or work positioning system.

Class E Retrieval (CE EN 361, CE EN 358, CE EN 813, CE EN 1497): Class E full-body harnesses are designed with shoulder‐mounted D‐rings that support the worker in a position that reduces the worker's profile during passage through a limited access area.

Class R Arc Resistant (ASTM F887-20): Class R full-body harnesses are designed to protect workers who could be exposed to thermal hazards of momentary electric arc or flame.