When performing various kinds of work at height, there is always a risk of a person falling who produces them. In order to prevent this from happening, special safety belts are used. This equipment is indispensable in the professional work of high-altitude installers, public utilities workers involved in roof repair, deep well cleaning, etc. Safety belts are also used in railway transport and in mining industries. In most cases, not only health, but also the life of the employee depends on the reliability of this equipment.
Justification for Using Belts
This type of equipment is the main means of protecting an employee from falling from a height. You should never neglect such a danger. From below, finishing the facade of the building or its roof may seem uncomplicated. However, from a height, the situation usually looks completely different. So in what cases should this equipment be used? The use of a safety belt is considered necessary when the height of the work is more than 5 m from the surface of the earth.
Sometimes the use of such belts is necessary in everyday life. You will need this equipment, for example, when performing work on finishing the facade of a private house, installing skylights, replacing roofing materials, finishing the balcony outside, etc.
Varieties of belts
When choosing equipment such as a safety belt, you should pay attention primarily to its variety. At the moment, the following types of this equipment are used in various sectors of the national economy:
- Class I (PP1). Such equipment is a waist belt without straps with a sewn-in mounting ring and a back sash.
- Class II (PP2). These belts are similar to the first variety. Their difference is that they are equipped with straps. This type is most often used if emergency work is necessary. A safety belt is also used in industrial mountaineering. Use it in some other cases.
The safety harness straps are marked as follows:
- "D" - shoulder;
- "E" - loinches;
- "F" - both shoulder and hip;
- "And" - with a saddle strap.
The following varieties of slings of safety belts are also used:
- "A" - from synthetic or polyamide tape.
- “B” - steel rope ;
- "B" - polyamide rope;
- "G" is a steel chain.
One of the most popular types of slings is the option with a shock absorber. This device is triggered by a fall and absorbs dynamic energy. Slings with a shock absorber can be equipped with carbines of different models.
Among other things, slings can be:
- double or single;
- equipped or not equipped slider length adjusters;
- equipped with two or three carbines.
In which cases is this or that variety used
If work is to be carried out in hovering mode, a safety belt with a saddle strap is used. To prevent the installer from tipping over (for example, from a pole), bezel-less equipment is used to fix the body in a given position. When working in wells and reservoirs, webbing belts are usually used. A variant with metal slings is used when it is necessary to perform a task in conditions of increased fire hazard.
To work in certain modes (for example, when washing front windows), you should use belts with a special saddle strap fastened on a chest unit connected to a fixing rope.
What should be a carbine
The safety belt is usually supplemented by several carbines. These elements are made of steel alloy and equipped with additional reinforced screws. Of course, the safety of the employee when performing any production task at a height will largely depend on the quality of this element. Carabiners on belts, as well as sold separately, must comply with GOST R.
What else to look for when buying
When purchasing a safety belt, you need to not only pay attention to its variety and specific purpose, but also be sure to check for the presence of accessories, certificates confirming compliance with accepted standards. This will guarantee the safety of work with its use.
Individual selection
So, the safety belt - webbing or webbing-free - is used to ensure the safety of the worker when performing a production task. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to ensure that the straps tightly fit the figure and at the same time do not hold your breath. Many models of belts have different sizes. You should also pay attention to this when buying. Choosing a belt of a suitable size will subsequently be much easier to fit it for yourself.
Of course, only serviceable equipment can provide safety. Compliance with the general technical conditions and test methods set forth in such a document as GOST can become a guarantee of its working suitability. The safety belt should be as reliable as possible, because the life of the employee who uses it will depend on its quality.
Who can be admitted to work related to the use of safety belts
To perform production tasks related to the use of such equipment, only those employees who were familiar with the relevant safety regulations, as well as the norms of SNiP (III-4-80), can be involved. In addition, the employee must be familiar with the instructions for the use of belts.
What must be done before starting work
Before proceeding with the production task, you must make sure that the safety belt is in good condition. At the same time check:
- The presence of markings confirming the fact that periodic belt operational tests were performed.
- On slings, tapes, ropes and straps there are no cracks, gaps and deformations. Traces of corrosion are not allowed on metal elements. The threads of the belts must be tightly woven.
- The carabiner should open freely. If it sticks, it is not allowed to put the equipment into operation.
Pay attention to the technical health of the belts should, of course, and with the purchase. It is also necessary to check this equipment for a guarantee from the manufacturer. These obligations are usually valid for two years from the date of acquisition of goods. If there is a guarantee in the event of a breakdown, it will be necessary to present the issued operating instructions.
How to conduct operational tests of the webbing variety
Tests of safety belts of this type are carried out as follows:
- The belt is fixed on a mannequin.
- A cargo weighing 400 kg is attached to the end of the back strap using a rescue halyard.
- The mannequin is raised to a height, held for 5 minutes, and then lowered.
- The belt is removed and inspected.
Safety belt PP 1 is considered to have passed the test if in the course of this procedure there was no destruction of the bearing elements or any irreversible changes in appearance.
After this, the belt must also be checked by the second method. This will be an additional guarantee of reliability.
Method two: testing the beltless belt
Tests of safety belts without belts are made in a slightly different way. In this case, the equipment itself is fixed on the load of cylindrical shape. Then everything is raised to a height and is also held for 5 minutes. At the final stage, the belt is inspected.
How to choose accessories
If the belt does not pass the tests, unsuitable elements of its construction can be replaced if desired. Manufacturers separately sell slings, seats for working at heights, halyards, self-insurance mustaches, etc.
When purchasing equipment such as a construction safety belt and accessories for it, it is worthwhile to buy other means necessary for the performance of work that ensure safety. This can be, for example, a stretcher, rescue scarves, blocking inertial and launching devices , etc. Of course, when buying in this case, you should also require a certificate of compliance with regulations.
What can be the conditions of purchase
Equipment such as a safety belt, as well as accessories for this design, can be sold both retail and wholesale. Almost all companies involved in the manufacture of such equipment have their representative offices in different regions of the country. To buy belts, you should contact one of these centers. When studying the conditions of sale should pay attention to such factors:
- Opportunity to purchase without a queue.
- Delivery terms. Some companies often transport such equipment to their destination for free. Sometimes the shipping cost is very high.
Thus, when choosing equipment such as a safety belt, you should pay attention to its variety, size, availability of a certificate and terms of sale. In this case, you can make a profitable transaction and ensure complete safety for the employees of the enterprise when performing production tasks at a height.