Recently we received a question asking about a harness designed for acidic environments. Here's what we found out.
Luke, head of customer service and sales, first asked our end user to elaborate. Here was the answer:
"Throughout industry, people work from manlift baskets, sometimes in vapor barrier clothing (acid suits). Most industries require a person be tied off while in a manlift basket. Hence, the problem … wearing a fall harness over an acid suit is clumsy at best and usually hinders how the acid suit is supposed to be worn. Plus, the chemicals may attack the fall harness. So we are wanting a fall harness worn on the inside of the suit and be able to tie off with a seamed in “D” ring."
Luke sent this exact scenario to Miller Fall Protection and here is their response:
Miller has tested both situations using an articulated dummy in a 6 foot free fall using a shock absorbing lanyard. Here is what they have found:
They tested the harness inside a heavy-duty coat with the lanyard going down to the D-ring along the back of the wearer's neck. They also tested the harness on the outside of the jacket. There was no difference in how the jacket reacted on the dummy and there was no evidence of the jacket riding up. The results were the same. The test was also down with a slotted welding jacket over a harness with the D-ring through the slot on the jacket. The welder's jacket also did not ride up the wearer's neck. Harnesses can be worn in either fashion. Provided you make sure to tighten all straps to ensure there is no slack. Note: If a coat is worn over the harness. It is critical that the lanyard come out the top of the jacket, not out the bottom.
So there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth.