Where work must be done within 2 metres (6 feet) of an open, unprotected edge that presents a fall hazard, a fall protection system must be used. A travel-restraint system can afford the protection required. The system lets a worker travel just far enough to reach the edge but not far enough to fall over. The basic travel-restraint system consist of: - CSA-approved full body harness
- lanyard
- lifeline
- rope grab to attach harness or lanyard to lifeline
- adequate anchorage (capable of supporting a static load of 450 pounds-with a recommended safety factor of at least 2, that is, 900 pounds)
| | | | WHAT IS CSA? | | | The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Technical Committee Z259 sets standards for fall protection equipment and practices. Other certification organizations, including the Safety Equipment Institute, also certify fall protection equipment to the CSA Z259 standards. Products that are certified to the Z259 fall protection standards carry compliance markings of the certifying agency, for example: CSA or CSEI. All Canadian Provinces and Territories require that fall protection equipment must be certified by a recognized third-party organization in compliance with Canadian standards (or meet equivalent levels of protection approved by the legislative authority).
| | | | | CSA Z259 FALL PROTECTION STANDARDS | | | | | Z259.10-06 FULL BODY HARNESSES | Z259.11-05 LANYARDS AND ENERGY ABSORBERS | - Revisions became effective in June, 2007
- All CSA compliant harnesses will now have a capacity up to 175 kg (386 lb)
- Harnesses will be equipped with a built-in fall arrest indicator
- New labeling has been added which replaces the “A” indicator marking
- New requirements have been included for integral connection to other components of a fall protection system
- The previous classifications system (Classes A, D, E, L and P) remains the same
| - Revisions became effective in September, 2007
- Energy absorbers and lanyards have been placed in one standard
- A heavyweight classification of energy absorbers, Class E6, has been added for workers with an all-up weight of 90 kg (200 lb) to 175 kg (386 lb). Class E4 energy absorbers are intended for general use by workers whose weight lies between 45 kg (100 lb) and 115 kg (254 lb)
- Positioning and fall arrest lanyards have been placed in one standard
- Final strength and elevated temperature test requirements for energy absorbers have been revised to better reflect operating conditions
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| ATTACHMENT POINTS |  | | | | FALL ARREST
| SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
| RESTRAINT SYSTEMS | PERSONNEL-RIDING SYSTEMS | Fall arrest systems are an assembly of components and subsystems, including the necessary connectors, used to arrest the user in a fall from a working height and suspend the user until rescue can be effected.
| Suspension Systems permit workers to sit and work safely while elevated. The system is designed to raise or lower, and support a worker at an elevated work station. This system alone cannot be relied upon to provide proper fall arrest protection. | Restraint Systems are an assembly of components and subsystems, including the necessary connectors, used to: (a) stabilize and partially support the user at an elevated work location and allow free use of both hands; (b) restrict the user’s motion so as to prevent reaching a location where a fall hazard exists. | Personnel-Riding Systems provide a quick means of raising a user out of, or lowering a worker into, a working environment. The
system supports full body weight for a short period of time, but should not be used for suspension. A retrieval system by itself may
not provide all the protection a worker requires. Fall arrest and/or restraint systems may also be required. | | |
| A fall arrest system must always include a full body harness and means of connection between the harness and a qualified anchorage point or anchorage connector. Such connecting means may consist of a lanyard, energy (shock) absorber, fall arrester (rope grab), lifeline, self-retracting lanyard, or qualified combination of these. | | | MAKING SAFETY AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3
| | | | 1 | HARNESS | | | | | | WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Comfort. You want the perfect fit. To ensure a perfect fit, harnesses are available in different sizes. A standard size will fit most workers. See sizing selection chart to determine the best size for you. | | | SIZING SELECTION CHART | | | 
*360 lb weight capacity applies to size SXL harnesses and excludes all Gravity Harnesses and Derrick Harnesses. Gravity and Derrick harnesses must be custom ordered for weight capacities above 310 lbs. When ordering a harness for a worker exceeding 310 lbs, a custom shock absorbing lanyard, designed for the weight of the individual, must also be ordered.
Ease of Use. You want a harness that is easy for you to get into and adjust.
Harnesses are available in primarily two styles:
- Vestype (vest style).
A Vestype harness is put on like a jacket. - Pullover (cross-chest).
A pullover harness is put on over the head, similar to putting on a sweater.
The choice on style is a matter of personal preference.
 There are also different types of leg strap connections available on a harness: - Qwik-Fit (mating buckle)
- Tongue Buckle
Both styles offer fast and easy connection and adjustment. The choice of leg strap connections is a matter of personal preference. You also have a choice of D-Ring configurations on a harness: Back D-rings (required on every harness), Hip (or side) D-rings, or Chest D-rings. General D-ring usage is as follows: - Back D-Ring
This is the attachment point for your lanyard. It can also be used as a rescue attachment. - Hip (or side) D-rings
Typically used for work positioning activities to allow the worker to have their hands free to perform work, or for travel restriction applications. - Chest D-ring
Typically used for ladder climbing systems, rescue operations, or personnel riding applications.
| | | | | 2 | LANYARD | | | | | | HOW DO I KNOW WHICH TO CHOOSE? There are two primary types of lanyards:
- Shock-absorbing lanyards used when the free fall distance (fall hazard) can exceed 2 feet
- Restraint or positioning lanyards used only when free fall distance (fall hazard) can be limited to 2 feet or less
In choosing the correct lanyard, you must keep the application in mind. - Make certain the lanyard is the proper length to allow the necessary worker movement/ positioning.
- Make certain that the right material type is chosen (depending on your work environment).
- Cable works best in high heat environments or around sharp edges.
- Webbing works best in most other applications.
- Make certain you have calculated your total fall distance. See diagram for more information.
You also need to consider the compatibility of the system components. Components produced by different manufacturers may not be interchangeable. The best way to ensure compatibility is to purchase all components from the same manufacturer. | | | | | 3 | CONNECTOR | | | | | |  HOW DO I KNOW WHICH TO CHOOSE?
Connector selection is driven primarily by application. You will need to carefully consider your work environment, in particular the type of structure where the connector will be attached.
Examples include:
- Roof
- Scaffold
- Steel Beam
- Concrete Column
- Rail Weight should also be a consideration if a worker will need to carry the connector around during the work day.
You will also need to consider the number of workers required to attach to the connector. Most connectors are rated for 1 person with a 5,000 pound minimum breaking strength. Connectors are required, by OSHA, to have a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 pounds per person attached. For example, if you are going to attach 2 people to a connector, the connector must be rated to 10,000 pounds. | | | | | | The TechnaCurv Full Body Harness throws a curve to the ordinary harness with many new features never before seen in a full body harness: - Curvilinear Comfort System
- Secure-Fit buckles
- Visco-Elastic Shoulder padding
- Sorbtek fabric on shoulder and sub-pelvic pads
- Innovative web design
- Meets ANSI Z359.1, A10.32, all applicable OSHA regulations, and is CSA certified
In addition to the features above, the TechnaCurv harness is designed with downward adjusting torso straps on most models to ease adjustment.
This is also the first harness on the market that allows you to order exactly the options you want, and only the options you want, through Assemble-to-Order process. All these features combine to provide you with the most comfortable, versatile, unique, and safe harness available today.
And now, a great harness even better! You will notice a few changes on MSA’s TechnaCurv Harness that will improve the functionality and comfort of the harness.
These improvements include:
- Addition of two Lanyard Clips on every harness, at no additional cost.
- Addition of webbing length to the torso and leg strap portions of the harness to give you a wider range of adjustment. These additions will provide you with the perfect, most comfortable fit every time you put on your harness
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| | | TECHNACURV™ FULL BODY HARNESS | | | 
| The TechnaCurv Full Body Harness throws a curve to the ordinary harness with many new features never before seen in a full body harness: - Curvilinear Comfort System
- Secure-Fit buckles
- Visco-Elastic Shoulder padding
- Sorbtek fabric on shoulder and sub-pelvic pads
- Innovative web design
- Meets ANSI Z359.1, A10.32, all applicable OSHA regulations, and is CSA certified
In addition to the features above, the TechnaCurv harness is designed with downward adjusting torso straps on most models to ease adjustment. 
This is also the first harness on the market that allows you to order exactly the options you want, and only the options you want, through Assemble-to-Order process. All these features combine to provide you with the most comfortable, versatile, unique, and safe harness available today.
And now, a great harness even better! You will notice a few changes on MSA’s TechnaCurv Harness that will improve the functionality and comfort of the harness.
These improvements include: - Addition of two Lanyard Clips on every harness, at no additional cost.
- Addition of webbing length to the torso and leg strap portions of the harness to give you a wider range of adjustment. These additions will provide you with the perfect, most comfortable fit every time you put on your harness
| | | | For more information about MSA’s fall protection equipment please contact as at 1-800-205-3473 or click here.
Fall Protection Tips
Identify all potential tripping and fall hazards before work starts. - Look for fall hazards such as unprotected floor openings/edges, shafts, skylights, stairwells, and roof openings/edges.
- Inspect fall protection equipment for defects before use.
- Select, wear, and use fall protection equipment appropriate for the task.
- Secure and stabilize all ladders before climbing them.
- Never stand on the top rung/step of a ladder.
- Use handrails when you go up or down stairs.
- Practice good housekeeping. Keep cords, welding leads and air hoses out of walkways or adjacent work areas
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Fall Protection
