Fall Protection Harness and Lanyard for Aerial Lifts

Buying guide

Harness, lanyard and anchor

Aerial lift fall protection is a system. The full body harness distributes forces across your thighs, pelvis, chest and shoulders. The lanyard connects your harness's dorsal D-ring to the lift's designated anchor point. Energy absorbers or self-retracting lanyards limit the force on your body if you are ejected from the bucket or basket.

Body belts and tree climbing saddles are not fall arrest harnesses. For fall arrest on a boom lift harness setup or bucket harness, use a full body harness rated for that purpose, typically to ANSI Z359 requirements.

Fall protection is the last line of defense. Good lift operation, a stable setup and staying inside the platform come first.

Boom lifts, bucket trucks and scissor lifts

On boom lifts and bucket trucks, the operator must be tied off to the anchor provided by the lift manufacturer. On scissor lifts, the guardrails are typically the primary protection, but many employers and lift manufacturers require a scissor lift harness and restraint lanyard too. Check your lift's manual and your company policy.

Lanyard length matters. Too long and you could be ejected and fall a long way before the lanyard catches. Many crews prefer a short lanyard or a restraint setup that keeps the operator inside the platform entirely.

Harnesses for bucket trucks often include features like a dorsal D-ring placement that works well in the bucket and padding for comfort over a full shift. Quick-connect leg and chest buckles make it easier to put the harness on correctly every time.

Choosing a kit

A fall protection kit bundles a harness and lanyard so you get a matched system. Check harness sizing, the lanyard's length and energy absorber, and the connector type for your lift's anchor. Retractable web lanyards stay taut and out of the way, which helps in a busy bucket.

The Safewaze economy fall protection kit is a simple way to equip a crew with a harness and lanyard. The six foot web retractable lanyard stays taut and reduces slack. The Petzl Absorbica-I is an energy-absorbing lanyard with a single connector, designed to limit forces in a fall. Choose components that are compatible with each other and with your lift.

Size harnesses for the operator who will wear them, and adjust straps every time a different person puts one on. A loose harness can cause serious injuries in a fall.

Inspection and training

Inspect harnesses and lanyards before each use for cuts, abrasion, heat damage, deployed energy absorbers and damaged hardware. Remove from service any equipment that has arrested a fall. Every lift operator should be trained in lift operation and fall protection, and a rescue plan should be in place.

Cherry picker and boom lift operators should never untie while the platform is elevated. Plan the work so you can reach what you need without leaning over the rails.

Store harnesses and lanyards clean, dry and away from sunlight and chemicals. Hang them up rather than leaving them crumpled in the bucket, where they can be damaged by tools, saws and debris.