Safety Harness and Lanyard Guide

Harnesses and lanyards are essential fall protection equipment for anyone working at height. This guide covers everything you need to choose, use and inspect the right PPE for your job.

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Chapter 1

When Do You Need to Wear a Safety Harness?

In Europe, the Work at Height Regulations require fall protection whenever work is carried out at any height where a fall could cause personal injury. There is no minimum height threshold — employers must assess the risk and provide appropriate PPE. In practice, most industries apply fall arrest systems from 2 metres upwards, in line with EN 361 and EN 363 standards.

Key EU standards for fall protection equipment:

• EN 361 — Full body harnesses
• EN 358 — Work positioning belts and lanyards
• EN 354 — Lanyards
• EN 355 — Energy absorbers
• EN 363 — Personal fall protection systems

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Chapter 2

Types of Fall Protection

Fall protection divides into two categories: passive (guardrails, netting — no PPE required) and active (requires PPE and worker participation). When a passive solution is not practical, active fall protection is used.

Fall arrest: A full body harness arrests a fall from a working surface before the user hits the ground, used with an anchorage and shock-absorbing lanyard. Per EN 355, the maximum arrest force for a 100 kg user is 6 kN in Europe.

Fall restraint: The worker is prevented from reaching the fall hazard via a restraint lanyard. Preferred over fall arrest wherever possible.

Work positioning: A positioning lanyard connects the side D-rings of the harness to an anchor, supporting the user in place with both hands free. A back-up fall arrest system is always required.

Retrieval: Used in confined space work where a worker is lowered or raised through a manhole or vertically-accessible opening via a retrieval line attached to the harness D-rings.

Suspension/controlled descent: Suspension equipment lowers and supports workers for tasks like window cleaning or painting. A fall arrest system must always be used alongside.

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Chapter 3

Types of Safety Harnesses and Lanyards

The ABC system of fall protection covers: (A) Anchorage, (B) Body harness, (C) Connector, and sometimes (D) Descent & rescue.

Anchorage

The secure attachment point of the system — either a structural anchor (I-beam, concrete form) or a certified anchorage connector engineered for fall protection. Anchors must support the intended loads and provide adequate safety factors per EN 795.

Body Harnesses

Full body harnesses distribute fall forces across the body via D-rings, which connect to a lanyard and anchor. Key types:

• 1-point harness: One dorsal D-ring for fall arrest. Simple and affordable.
• 2-point harness: Dorsal + sternal D-ring. Both permitted for fall arrest; dorsal is the primary point. Sternal used for fixed ladder climbing.
• 3-point harness: Dorsal + two side D-rings for work positioning. Ideal for working with both hands free. Back-up fall arrest always required.
• 4/5-point harness: Dorsal + sternal + two side D-rings + optional abdomen D-ring. Covers fall arrest, restraint, positioning, suspension and rescue.

Connectors and Lanyards

Lanyards and connectors link the harness to the anchor. Main types:

• Fall restraint lanyard: Fixed length, prevents the worker reaching the hazard. One end to anchor, one to harness D-ring.
• Fall arrest lanyard: Includes a shock absorber (EN 355) to reduce arrest forces. Twin-tail lanyards allow continuous connection when moving between anchors.
• Work positioning lanyard: Attaches to the side D-rings to support the body in position for hands-free work.

Descent & Rescue

A rescue plan must be in place before any work at height begins. Equipment includes haul systems to raise a fallen worker and descent devices to lower them. Trauma straps can be added to the harness to relieve pressure during suspension while awaiting rescue.

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Chapter 4

Parts of a Safety Harness

Understanding each component of a full body harness ensures correct use and inspection:

• Dorsal D-ring: Located at the back between the shoulder blades — the primary fall arrest attachment point.
• Sternal D-ring: Located on the chest — used for fall arrest on fixed ladders and for rescue.
• Side D-rings: Located at the hips — used for work positioning lanyards.
• Shoulder straps: Distribute arrest forces across the upper body.
• Chest strap: Keeps shoulder straps in position and prevents them slipping off.
• Sub-pelvic strap: Supports the pelvis during fall arrest.
• Leg loops: Secure the harness around the thighs and distribute forces to the lower body.

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Chapter 5

Safety Harness and Lanyard Inspection

How Often Must Equipment Be Inspected?

• Pre-use check: Before every use — a visual check taking a few minutes.
• Detailed inspection: Every 6 months by a competent person (every 3 months in arduous conditions such as demolition, scaffolding or steel erection), per BS 8437:2005 and INDG367.
• Interim inspection: When a risk assessment identifies conditions that could cause significant deterioration before the next scheduled inspection.

Download our inspection checklists: Full Body Harness Checklist & Lanyard Checklist.

Pre-Use Inspection Checklist

• Webbing: Bend 15–20 cm sections into a U-shape and inspect for cuts, tears, chemical damage, mould or burns. Remove from service if any are found.
• Stitching: Check all stitching for missing, torn, loose or stretched threads.
• Hardware (snap hooks, carabiners, buckles): Gates must open smoothly and close/lock automatically. Check for chips, corrosion, cracks and heat damage.
• Labels: Must be present and legible. If missing or illegible, remove from service.
• Energy absorber: Inspect outer pack for burn holes and tears. Check for warning flags or signs of deployment — if deployed, remove immediately.
• Cable lanyards: Check for breaks, discolouration, wire separation or fraying.
• Rope lanyards: Check for tears, burns, mould, abrasions or unsplicing.

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Chapter 6

Frequently Asked Questions