Working at height. A role as old as time, with the dangers just as timeless.
Scaffolding dates back thousands of years, with researchers believing our earliest ancestors crafted makeshift scaffolds over [1] 17,000 years ago to reach cave ceilings, which allowed them to create their captivating artwork.
Just as civilisation has progressed, so has scaffolding. Wood and bamboo dominated scaffolding for over a millennium, with steel scaffolding not being introduced until the 20th century.
While it’s wonderful watching a fast-growing industry constantly evolve its materials to build safer, more efficient workspaces, the harsh truth remains: the risks of working at height haven’t gone away.
The True Story of Gary Gallagher
Take the true story of [2]Gary Gallagher. While surveying prospective scaffolding to the front and rear of a building in Scotland, Gary leaned against a wrought iron balustrade to measure the height of the building. As this happened, the balustrade snapped, and he fell 32 feet, headfirst onto cobblestone pavement.
Gary commented, “My hands, one of which still held the handle of the tape measure, did an incredible job of breaking the initial impact of the fall, but the left side of my face took the remainder of the impact.”
“My nose was crushed, my left cheekbone so badly shattered that it resulted in the optic nerve of my left eye severing and the loss of sight in that eye. My jaw was also fractured in three places. Initially, I lost four teeth, but three others were so badly chipped that they had to be removed.”
Gary was put into an induced coma for almost two weeks, and a team of surgeons was required to perform 9 hours of maxillofacial surgery to help repair his facial injuries.
While the physical wounds were visible, the toll that it took on his family, friends, and career was undeniable, leaving a lasting strain upon everyone involved.
Fall From Height on the Rise
In recent reports, the proportion of fatal injuries caused by falls from height has increased in the U.K. compared to previous years.
A fall from height now accounts for [3]36% of all worker deaths in annual statistics released for 2023/2024.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), falls from height remain the leading cause of fatal injury to workers, with [4]50 deaths reported in the latest figures published in July 2024. This is a considerable jump when compared to the 37 fatalities recorded for the annual average estimate for over five years, spanning from 2019/2020 to 2023/2024.
There are a variety of factors that may cause a fall from height. [5]Negligence on the part of employers is a recurring issue, especially falls from roofs. This proves that conducting thorough risk assessments and thorough planning are essential to reduce these risks. Faulty equipment gives a false sense of security, lack of training, environmental factors like frosted surfaces, and human error are contributors to a fall from height.
History of Height Safety Equipment
The [6]first form of fall protection was the body belt, which was developed in the 20th century. It was used by utility linemen to climb poles. This invention, while safer than having no protection, was dangerous due to its positioning. In the event of a fall, the fall arrest forces would be transmitted to a worker’s midsection and spine, potentially leading to further catastrophic injuries. There was also a risk of the belt being pulled up to their armpits, or worse, falling out of the belt altogether.
In the 1940s, efforts were made to improve the body belt by reducing the chances of a worker slipping out and refining the distribution of fall arrest forces across the body. Through this development, the first full-body harness was created. It was heavily inspired by the military parachute harness used by the paratroopers. Although it was an improvement over the body belt, it was difficult to operate and wear due to the heavy materials used.
The Harnesses You Might Like
Since then, we’ve come in leaps and bounds to develop harnesses that are not only designed to be worn for long hours but have the strength and design to safely arrest a fall.
So, we’ve rounded up our Top 4 Harnesses built for serious work, delivering all-day comfort and rock-solid protection no matter the job.
The BIGBEN Deluxe 2-Point Safety Harness
Tested and approved for users up to 140kg, the BIGBEN Deluxe 2-point Safety Harness provides comfort, peace of mind, and security. The atrium rings help to maintain rotational flexibility, reducing rigidity for the user.
The fall indicators are clearly displayed for inspection speed and convenience, with them easily located on the rear of the harness. Alongside this, the integral inspection record is also located on the rear of the harness. This makes it easy to access, especially for on-site access to inspection records.
Its intricate design includes elasticated legs and side webbing. This allows the user to have free range of movement with added durability. This is essential when working at height as we understand that no two jobs are the same, and the need for flexibility is crucial.
The BIGBEN 2-point safety harness also features a rear anchorage strop located on the top left shoulder to allow for inertia reel use, keeping you safe and secure in any situation. The fully adjustable leg, chest, and shoulder straps are just one of the benefits that features of the harness. There are five separate buckle adjusters for compliant fitting and extreme comfort.
Click here to view the BIGBEN Deluxe 2-Point Safety Harness
The BIGBEN BIGGUY Deluxe 2 Point Comfort Plus Harness with Additional Comfort Padding
The BIGBEN BIGGUY Deluxe 2 Point Comfort Plus Harness now comes with additional comfort padding so you can work with ease. We get it, no two days are the same – and that goes for tasks!
This harness has a new Superflex, ergonomic, breathable webbing design to ensure added comfort through movement, making your day just that little bit easier, especially if you need to wear the harness all day. The elasticated leg and side webbing are fantastic for free range of motion with added durability.
The BIGBEN 2 Point Comfort Plus Harness features fully adjustable leg, chest, and shoulder webbing for compliant fitting using five adjustable buckles.
The atrium d-rings offer maximum rotational flexibility and reduced rigidity, which mirrors their benefit of extreme comfort.
The harness's integral inspection record is located on the rear of the harness, allowing for quick, on-site access to inspection records. The fall indicators are also found on the rear of the harness, simply for inspection speed and convenience. Safety must always be top priority.
Additionally, the leg and shoulder padding add advanced comfort and support, while keeping you safe and secure.
The BIGBEN Deluxe 2 Point Comfort HA Design Harness with Quick Release Buckles
Conforming to EN361 and tested and approved for users up to 140kg, the BIGBEN Deluxe 2 Point Comfort HA Design Harness has been redesigned and now with an improved leg strap. The HA design means the leg strap goes around the top of the leg as opposed through the groin. The reduces the effects of trauma in the event of a fall from height.
The quick-release buckles are specifically designed for fast-action attachment and release, ensuring your safety is secure when working at height, or ensuring quick release, especially in emergencies.
The elasticated shoulder straps and the harness's atrium d-rings both provide free range of motion. The shoulder straps provide added durability, allowing you to move and carry out your tasks comfortably. The atrium d-rings contribute to maximum rotational flexibility while reducing rigidity.
The fall indicators are clearly displayed for inspection speed and convenience, with them easily located on the rear of the harness. Alongside this, the integral inspection record is also located on the rear of the harness. This makes it easy to access, especially for on-site access to inspection records.
This BIGBEN HA Harness with added comfort includes integral tool tether loops located on either side of the harness. This feature acts as an anti-tangle and reach extender point for tether tool systems.
Another feature of this height safety harness is its fully adjustable leg, chest, and side webbing for compliant fitting using six separate buckle adjusters.
Click here to view the BIGBEN Deluxe 2 Point Comfort HA Design Harness with Quick Release Buckles.
The Miller H500 2-Point Safety Harness
The Miller H500 2-Point Safety Harness comes with several defining features. While it conforms to EN361, it has also been tested and approved for users up to 140kg.
The H500 comes with an improved leg strap design. The HA design means the leg strap goes around the top of the leg as opposed through the groin. The reduces the effects of trauma in the event of a fall from height.
It features front and rear attachment points alongside integral tool tether loops. The anti-tangle central plates add extra stability for the user, maintaining peace of mind while working at height.
The Miller Safety Harness contains fall impact indicators in easy-to-reach areas of the harness, this is to aid quick on-the-spot inspection.
This harness was designed with comfort in mind as the adjustable front, side, and leg straps provide better all-around fitting.
The elasticated middle and side webbing promotes enhanced freedom of movement, helping you to complete your tasks in hard-to-reach areas with ease. The top half of the harness contains high-visibility webbing. This increases on-site safety, especially during those dark evenings.
Click here to view the Miller H500 2-Point Safety Harness.
There you have it, the history, the risks, and the harness that you need to know about when working at height. Don’t cut corners when it comes to safety; invest in proper equipment for long-term security.
Please note: The BIGBEN harness has a life span of 10 years from the date of manufacture or 5 years from the date of first use.
[1] https://www.scafom-rux.com/en/scaffolding-blog/did-you-know-4-fascinating-facts-about-scaffolding
[2] https://www.rospa.com/your-stories-old/august-2017/gary
[3] https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2024/07/11/fatal-falls-height-increase-hse-finds
[4] https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2024/07/11/fatal-falls-height-increase-hse-finds
