3M Full Body Harnesses

Fall arrest harnesses - Find the type of safety harness for your needs

When you’re working high above the ground, your harness is more than just a safety connection, it's everything. Your comfort, confidence and productivity are directly related to the quality and design of the harness you're wearing. At 3M we are continuously developing new products and features designed to improve your work experience.

Multi-purpose harness

This type of harness usually includes multiple attachment points on the front and back, which allow the user to work in a variety of situations.

3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ XE200 Safety Harness
3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ XE100 Safety Harness
3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ XE50 Safety Harness
3M™ Protecta® E200 Safety Harness
Work positioning harness

This harness features side D-rings on the hips for positioning and an integral padded belt for additional lumbar support. For use with pole straps or work positioning lanyards allowing hands-free operation.

3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ XE200 Safety Harness
3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ XE100 Safety Harness
3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ XE50 Safety Harness
3M™ Protecta® E200 Safety Harness
Harness for rescue or access to confined spaces

The attachment points located on each shoulder can be used with a specific lanyard or an upright retrieval strap for entry/exit in confined spaces.

3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ XE200 Safety Harness
3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ XE50 Safety Harness
3M™ Protecta® E200 Safety Harness
Suspension harness for vertical work

Typically, this harness has low frontal attachment points for use with descent control devices and rope access equipment.

3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit NEX™ Suspension Harness
3M™ Protecta® Suspension Harness (PDF, 210 KB)

Three workers wearing fall protection harnesses walking on a roof

3M™ DBI-SALA® ExoFit™ XE Series Safety Harnesses

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Questions and answers about fall arrest harnesses

Here we answer some of your frequently asked questions, but if you have any other questions, please let us know and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

What is a fall arrest harness?
According to the European standard EN361 a full body harness is defined as 'body support primarily for fall arrest purposes, i.e. a component of a fall arrest system. The full body harness may comprise straps, fittings, buckles or other elements, suitably arranged and assembled to support the whole body of a person and restrain the wearer during a fall and after the arrest of a fall'
At what height do you have to wear a harness?
Requirements for use of personal fall arrest systems while Work at Height can vary depending upon the location (country) you are working in, always check local laws and regulations.
However good practice dictates that if a person can fall and become injured it should be considered Working at Height and suitable precautions should be taken.
When should a full body harness be used?
A full body harness should be used as component of a personal fall arrest system to attach a user to an anchorage point via a suitable connecting element.
How long will a 3M fall arrest harness last for?
3M User Instructions state that fall protection products must be inspected prior to each use by the user, and annually by a defined “Competent Person” other than the user. Depending upon the type, environment and frequency of use, a competent person inspection may be needed more frequently than once per year.
Inspections should always be carried out in line with country or local requirements/regulations/laws.
3M provides more details on Fall Protection products Service Life in technical bulletin, TB0021 (PDF, 147 KB).
Do safety harnesses expire?
For 3M Fall Protection equipment manufactured from textiles, the functional life of the product is determined by work conditions and maintenance. As long as the product passes inspection criteria, it may remain in service for up to 10 years from the date of manufacture.
3M provides more details on Fall Protection products Service Life in technical bulletin, TB0021 (PDF, 147 KB).
Which is the best type of fall arrest harness?
There is no single answer to this question, it all depends on the type of work you are going to do, your industry or your specific needs. 3M™ provides various types of harnesses that have different characteristics and are adapted to the many types of job requirement, whether for industrial use, in wind towers, construction, cranes, confined spaces, maintenance and repair tasks and more.
What is the difference between a harness and a safety belt?
A full body harness is designed to support the whole body of a person and restrain the wearer during a fall and after the arrest of a fall. When using personal fall arrest systems while Work at Height a full body harness must be used.
A safety belt may be incorporated into, or used in conjunction with a full body harness to provide support in work positioning situations. When used in isolation, a safety belt may only be used for work positioning or restraint situations where there is no risk of a fall occurring.
Which harness attachment point can be used with an energy-absorbing lanyard?
A full body fall arrest harness typically includes a rear D-ring attachment point for fall arrest; some models also include a front fall arrest attachment point (According to the harness standard CE EN361 fall arrest points must be marked with an "A").
Both front and rear fall arrest attachment points can be used with an energy-absorbing lanyard for fall arrest.
What type of harness should I use with a vertical ladder system?
If the vertical ladder system is permanently installed, it will be likely be necessary to use a full body fall arrest harness with a front fall arrest attachment point. If the vertical system is temporary (usually rope), it may be possible to attach the fall arrest traveller to the front or back fall arrest attachment point of a full body harness.
Should the harness be worn over or under winter clothing?
Best practice dictates that a harness should be worn over all clothing. It is more visible on inspections and there is less chance of clothing interfering with buckles and connectors. In the event of a fall a harness worn over clothing will be free to move, without interfence.