NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Impact of harness fit on suspension tolerance.

Hsiao H; Turner N; Whisler R; Zwiener J

Hum Factors 2012 Jun; 54(3):346-357

https://doi.org/10.1177/0018720811434962

20040657

Objective: This study investigated the effect of body size and shape and harness fit on suspension tolerance time. Background: Fall victims may develop suspension trauma, a potentially fatal reduction of return blood flow from legs to the heart and brain, after a successfully arrested fall if they are not rescued quickly or the harness does not fit them well. Method: For this study, 20 men and 17 women with construction experience were suspended from the dorsal D-ring of a full-body fall-arrest harness. Their suspension tolerance time, physical characteristics, and harness fit levels were assessed. Results: Body characteristics (i.e., weight, stature, upper- and lower-torso depths) were associated with decreased suspension tolerance time (r = -.36 approximately -.45, p ≤ .03). In addition, harness fit affected suspension tolerance time; workers with a torso angle of suspension greater than 35 degrees, a thigh strap angle greater than 50 degrees, or a poorly fitting harness size had shorter suspension tolerance time (mean differences = 14, 11, and 9.8 min, respectively, p ≤ .05). Conclusion: Body size and harness fit were predictors of suspension tolerance time. Selecting well-fit harnesses and establishing a 9-min rescue plan are suggested to ensure that no more than 5% of workers would experience suspension trauma. Applications: The study provides a basis for harness designers, standards writers, and manufacturers to improve harness configurations and testing requirements for better worker protection against suspension trauma.

Humans; Men; Women; Harnesses; Fall-protection; Injuries; Traumatic-injuries; Accidents; Construction-industry; Construction-workers; Workers; Physiological-factors; Tolerance-threshold; Author Keywords: 3-D scan; body shape; harness fit; suspension; anthropometry; fall arrest; rescue

Hongwei Hsiao, PhD, Chief, Protective Technology Branch, Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Rd., Morgantown, WV 26505

HUFAA6

20120601

Journal Article

hxh4@cdc.gov

2012

B04252012

3

0018-7208

DSR

Public Safety

Human Factors

WV