- 1. KwikSafety Scorpion Safety Harness
- 2. Glorouschu Full Body Safety Harness
- 3. 3M DBI-SALA Medium ExoFit NEX Construction Full Body Style Harness
- 4. Malta Dynamics Warthog Comfort MAXX Construction Harness
- 5. Guardian Fall Protection Safety Harness
- 6. Muddy Magnum Pro Harness
- 7. Palmer Safety Fall Protection Full Body 5 Point Harness
- Best Safety Harness Buying Guide & FAQ
When it comes to your safety at work or during recreational activities, having the proper equipment is paramount to your overall protection. It’s not an area you want to try to skimp on to save a buck. That being said, there is a wide variety of options for safety harnesses with a diverse range of prices available on the market to meet any need or budget.
Choosing a safety harness is a very personal choice that depends largely on your size and weight and what you’ll primarily be using the harness for. There are, however, a few key features to look for, which we will outline in this buying guide so that you can make a fully informed and confident decision when it comes to protecting your safety and security on the job site.
The Best Safety Harnesses
Our pick for the best overall in regards to value, quality, and reliability is the KwikSafety Scorpion Safety Harness. This rugged, yet comfortable harness features an integrated single-leg lanyard and snap hook that’s attached to the safety harness to provide complete and worry-free protection that will stand up in even the worst-case scenario. An internal shock-absorbing lanyard makes the Scorpion harness a more lightweight device than some others on the market. A double-locking, dual-action snap hook guards against accidental rollout while still being easy to attach to your anchor point. This harness and snap hook is rated at 5,000 pounds with a gate strength of 3,600 pounds, and it meets or exceeds ANSI safety standards. While we love this harness, it is only really designed to fit people in the 130 to 310-pound range, so it may not be the best option for more petite users.
- Rated to support up to 5,000 pounds
- Includes a rugged snap-through lanyard
- Straps are fully adjustable
- Pass-through buckles for easy use
- Brand KwikSafety
- Model Scorpion
- Weight 4.31 pounds
Can securely support a large amount of weight
Lots of added safety features
Padded at shoulders and waist for added comfort
Will not fit more petite or lighter people
Only available in yellow
Leg and waist straps can come loose during use
When it comes to safety harnesses, no one wants to sacrifice quality for cost, so the Glorouschu Full Body Safety Harness offers the best of both worlds. It’s a competitively priced harness that offers top-notch safety and protection. It’s constructed from super durable 30 mm polyamide webbing to be able to support up to 3,500 pounds with a gate strength of up to 2,600 pounds. Its energy absorption system directs load through the shoulder straps and around the thighs in the event of a fall. Designed to fit a weight range of between 130 to 310 pounds, this is a versatile and lightweight harness that is also comfortable and unrestrictive. It comes backed by a two-year warranty and a 45-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind. The only downside to this affordable harness is that it’s not ANSI rated for safety standards.
- Constructed from high-strength polypropylene webbing
- Can support up to 3,500 pounds
- Features pass-through steel buckles for added safety
- Large, quick-lock steel carabiners for secure anchoring
- Brand Glorouschu
- Model N/A
- Weight 5.99 pounds
Can withstand an arresting force of 900 pounds
Highly affordable
Features a breaking strength of 30kN
Not suitable for petite frames
Not ANSI rated for safety
Provided instructions can be difficult to understand
If you’re in the market for the creme de la creme of safety harnesses, look no further than the 3M DBI-SALA Medium ExoFit NEX Construction Full Body Style Harness. Proudly made in the United States, this rugged and well-designed harness meets or exceeds all OSHA and ANSI safety standards. It features a clever Duo-Lok quick connect buckle with a memory fit web-lock that can be connected with one hand for quick and safe locking. This safety harness also comes equipped with a built-in carrying pocket that can secure your cell phone or small valuables while you’re working. The specially molded lanyard keeper allows you to easily and efficiently holster snap hooks and is a break-away model to help you avoid tripping during use. The hybrid shoulder, back, leg, and hip padding is some of the most comfortable on the market, allowing you to work for hours without issue. The only thing not to like about this harness is its price tag since it is one of the most expensive harnesses on our list.
- Made in the USA
- Premium hybrid padding for extra comfort
- Duo-Lock quick connect buckles
- Vertical adjusting torso buckles for a customized fit
- Brand 3M
- Model 1113124
- Weight 1 pound
Super comfortable and substantial
High-tech webbing that is extremely durable
Easy to get in and out of quickly
High price tag
Rigid side pieces can dig into the body during bending
Questionable customer service
If you’re looking for a good combination of functionality and comfort that won’t break the bank, the Malta Dynamics Warthog Comfort MAXX Construction Harness deserves your attention. This full-body safety harness features a removable waist belt that allows for full movement in the harness while attached to your anchor. It meets CSA, ANSI, and OSHA safety standards for added peace of mind. It also features reinforced quick-connect leg and chest straps with side D-rings for added functionality. A specially designed breakaway lanyard and quick disconnect chest buckle make this harness easy to get in and out of. Even better, this safety harness is backed by a lifetime warranty. It’s constructed from durable reinforced reflective polyester webbing that won’t fray or tear when you need it most.
- Fully OSHA, ANSI, and CSA compliant
- Removable waist belt for added comfort
- Will fit a weight range of 130-310 pounds
- Lifetime warranty
- Brand Malta Dynamics
- Model B2202
- Weight 6.09 pounds
Very comfortable and functional
Moderate price point
Excellent customer service
Leg straps can loosen with use
Padding isn’t sewn into the harness unit, but just affixed with Velcro
The waist belt can shift and move during use
When it comes to a well-rounded roofing kit, the Guardian Fall Protection Safety Harness fits the bill perfectly. It’s a universal harness with five points of adjustment for customizable fit and comfort. Constructed from super durable nylon polyester webbing, with a 50-foot vertical lifeline assembly, this safety harness will provide the ultimate protection and safety. A permanently attached positioning device with an 18-inch lanyard extension and a heavy-duty temper reusable anchor allows you to keep the positioning device within reach. The incorporated shock pack improves comfort and maneuverability while reducing worker fatigue, which is great if you have to wear this harness the majority of the day. This kit also includes a 5-gallon bucket, a temper anchor with screws, a vertical lifeline, and bi-lingual instructions.
- Constructed from durable nylon polyester webbing material
- Includes a 50-foot vertical lifeline
- Has a 130-310 weight range capacity
- Includes a 5-gallon bucket as an added accessory
- Brand Guardian Fall Protection
- Model 00815
- Weight 15 pounds
Customizable fit with a five-point harness
Two-year warranty
Built-in shock absorbing lanyard to soften impacts during falls
Not able to detach harness from lanyard single-handed
Vague instructions leave room for error
One size option doesn’t fit all users
If you’re in the market for a new safety harness that won’t cause a ton of distraction during hours sitting in a tree stand, check out the Muddy Magnum Pro Harness. This lightweight harness is made of super rugged and water-resistant nylon and is easy to get on and off over your full hunting gear. It comes with a lineman’s belt, a tree strap, and a suspension relief strap to provide you with total protection while climbing up to your tree stand. The shoulders and waist feature extra padding and a convenient mesh air-flow design for added comfort during use. Its heavy-duty and rugged quick-release buckles allow for noiseless and efficient adjusting and fast putting on or taking off of the harness, even in the dark. It’s offered at an excellent price point to make it an even more enticing purchase. Rated for up to 300 pounds, this is a great one-size-fits-most choice. It should be noted though, that this harness is strictly for recreational hunting use, not professional construction jobs.
- Noiseless quick-cinch leg harnesses
- Padded waist and shoulder add comfort
- Rated for users up to 300 pounds
- The nylon mesh design is strong and breathable
- Brand Muddy
- Model Magnum Pro
- Weight 3 pounds
Easy to adjust for wearing over hunting gear
Adjustments are silent so as not to scare off wildlife
Excellent price tag
Not to be used by professionals
User instructions are a little vague
Does not include a carabiner for attaching
The Palmer Safety Fall Protection Full Body 5 Point Harness deserves an honorable mention for being an extremely well-constructed safety harness that is offered at a very competitive price point. It complies fully with all ANSI and OSHA safety standards to provide a high level of protection you can trust. It features an easily accessible and fully adjustable five-point harness system that allows you to fully customize the fit. It’s also available in six size options, so you can be assured of getting the one that will fit you perfectly. It even comes in four different color options. This safety harness is constructed from super rugged and water-resistant polyester webbing that boasts a breaking strength of 5,000 pounds. The metal D-rings and buckles are all made from heavy-duty, high-quality steel alloy to provide years of reliable use. Durable and thickly padded shoulders and waist promote comfort during long hours on the job. A removable tool belt is a nice added touch.
- Constructed from durable polyester webbing and steel alloy buckles
- Available in multiple sizes and colors
- Compliant with all ANSI and OSHA standards
- Quick connect chest buckle for easy attaching
- Brand Palmer Safety
- Model N/A
- Weight 5.9 pounds
Highly customizable fit
5,000 pounds of tensile strength for added protection
Heavy-duty back support pad for additional comfort
Not set up for single-handed operation
Does not come with a lanyard included
Questionable customer service
Best Safety Harness Buying Guide & FAQ
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Now that you’ve seen some of our top picks when it comes to high-quality and reliable safety harnesses, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty about what to look for, common types of safety harnesses, key features, frequently asked questions, and more so that you’re fully confident choosing the best safety harness to keep you protected and comfortable during long hours of wearing it.
Do You Need a Safety Harness?
A safety harness has the primary job of protecting you from injury or death when working in elevated environments. If you’re doing a job more than six feet off the ground, you really should be wearing a safety harness. Roofers, construction workers, window washers, arborists, linemen, painters, and more are all supposed to be wearing a safety harness whenever there is a chance of falling from a damaging height.
Employers are legally obligated to follow certain safety standards as laid out by national safety and workplace organizations or face steep and heavy fines for non-compliance. At the end of the day, why would you not want to wear a safety harness if you’re working in an environment when it could mean the difference between life and death? It seems like a pretty easy decision.
- Protection from injury or death
- Allows for long-term working without needing to take frequent breaks or adjustments
- Most harnesses also can hang a wide variety of tools and accessories on your person for quick and easy access+
- Work more efficiently since you’re able to keep both hands free while wearing a harness
The Most Common Types of Safety Harness
There are several different types of safety harnesses that are designed for recreational or professional activities are jobs, and each one has the same purpose, which is to protect the user from injury. While each harness has the same overall purpose, different types provide different benefits and experiences based on their overall make-up and construction
Type Body Belts
Seat belts fall into this type of harness, but usually, these harnesses incorporate a single or double D-ring that’s designed to prevent a fall within three feet of movement. It’s a very basic type of harness that utilizes a single or double attachment point that must be kept rigid at all times to be truly effective. Most people will choose to incorporate a more harness into their repertoire after relying on this simple harness set-up for very long.
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Type Chest Safety Harness
These harnesses, as the name implies, go around and provide protection and support at the upper body level and are used only when there is limited risk of falling and no vertical free-fall hazard at all. These harnesses are also often used for retrieving people from tanks, bins, holes, or wells.
Type Full Body Safety Harness
These types of harnesses have one, three, or five attachment points and incorporate shoulder straps, waist belts, and leg straps to provide full-body protection that will keep you safe when free-falling from the highest of heights. They’re primarily used by construction workers, scaffolding personnel, roofers, high rise window washers, etc.
Suspension Belts
This type of safety harness usually sits around the waist and is anchored to the body on each leg with adjustable straps around the upper thighs. These are often used by people on boats who are doing mast work, recreational mountaineers and climbers, or for suspending workers to raise or lower them in a controlled environment. Again, they’re not appropriate when there is a danger of a vertical free-fall from higher heights.
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The Most Important Features of Safety Harnesses
When it comes to selecting the best, most reliable, and durable safety harnesses, there are a few key features that you need to be aware of and include in your search criteria. Not all safety harnesses are created equally, and certainly not all of them are ideal for commercial or professional applications. Here, we will lay out the key features you need to look for in a professional-grade safety harness to keep you safe on the job site.
Certifications
This is the most important key feature when selecting a safety harness that is appropriate for professional use at work. If you’re working in the United States, you will need a safety harness that meets or exceeds guidelines as set forward by the American National Safety Institute (ANSI) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
In Canada, the certifications are set forth by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). This means that your harness has been rigorously tested and proven to withstand harsh conditions and will keep you safe without failing when you need it the most.
Material
When selecting a reliable harness, you want to make sure that the manufacturer is using the ultimate in rugged and durable materials to provide strong and continuous protection, as well as comfort.
All metal hardware, including buckles and D-rings, should be made from steel or aluminum alloy that is both rust- and corrosion-resistant and can support lots of weight and impact forces without failing.
When it comes to webbing, most top-quality safety harnesses are constructed from durable and water-resistant polyester, polypropylene, nylon, or a combination of both. These materials resist tearing and UV degradation to provide a long-lasting, comfortable fit. They’re also very lightweight, which is a nice bonus if you’re going to be wearing your harness for hours at a time.
Sizing
Proper sizing of your safety harness is key to ensuring accident-free function and fit. It’s a lot like clothing, with sizes being very customizable. It’s not a “one-size-fits-all” scenario. While harnesses are adjustable, they are limited based on the fixed sizes of the webbing as to just how much you can adjust them.
Your safety harness should fit snugly, but not too tightly. Chest straps should sit naturally across the broadest part of your chest, not up in your armpits or down at the bottom of your rib cage. D-rings should sit evenly and without too much pressure directly between your shoulder blades, and you should be able to get a flat hand, but not a fist between your leg strap and your leg.
Each manufacturer has different sizing formats, so be sure to check before purchase. Just because you’re a medium in clothing size doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be a medium in a safety harness.
Comfort And Functionality
If you’re going to be wearing your safety harness for hours on end, day after day, it had better be comfortable. Being uncomfortable while rigged up in it will distract you and prevent you from doing the most accurate and safe job possible. It also means that you’ll wear the harness properly and not make any adjustments that could increase your risk of injury.
Perfectly placed padding and buckles help to improve the fit and comfort of a safety harness. While comfort isn’t the most important key feature, it plays a larger part in workers who have to wear their safety harnesses frequently and for long periods. If you’re just wearing it occasionally, you can get by with a less comfortable model.
Best Safety Harness FAQ:
Q: What is a safety harness used for?
A safety harness is a form of protection that is designed to keep you from injury or death when working off the ground. Its main purpose is to prevent you from falling from heights that would cause bodily harm or damage.
Q: How much does a safety harness cost?
Safety harnesses range in cost from under $30 to more than $400, depending on their purpose, certifications, and construction materials.
Q: At what height do you need to wear a harness?
OSHA currently requires workers to wear a protective harness at heights of 6 feet or above.
Our Top Pick
While there are many excellent and high-quality safety harnesses on the market, our pick for the best overall value, quality, and reliability are the KwikSafety Scorpion Safety Harness. This rugged, yet comfortable harness provides complete and worry-free protection that will stand up in even the worst-case scenario. It’s offered at a competitive price point and is fully compliant with all ANSI and OSHA safety standards.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’re well-versed in the benefits of and what to look for in a trustworthy and high-quality safety harness, let us know in the comments if you chose the KwikSafety Scorpion Safety Harness, the Glorouschu Full Body Safety Harness, or one of our other top-notch recommendations. We love to hear from our readers.
Sources:
- Safety Harness – Wikipedia