Safety Harness Rules

A safety harness is a seatbelt-like device that secures the torso and pelvis of the body. Construction workers use harnesses in case of accidents and children use the devices for carseat safety. The federal government has established rules for the proper fitting and use of safety harnesses in these various situations. It takes only a few minutes to secure a safety harness, but its worth is lasting. Accidents happen without warning, and using a safety harness properly can mean the difference between life and death.

Child Safety

• Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children from ages 1 to 14, according to CarSafety.org. The federal government and individual states have implemented seat belt and safety harness requirements to lower the number of fatalities in children. Over 57 percent of car accident deaths in children occurred because the child was unrestrained. There are several options for child restraint harnesses. A car seat is a safety harness required for infants and small children until they reach 8 years old or 4 feet and 9 inches tall. The harness should fit snugly on the child. Seatbelts are the next stage of safety harnesses required for children. CarSafety.org states that children under 12 years old should never ride in the front seat of the car. Though they may have a seatbelt on, the airbag can cause other injuries. Sitting children in the backseat cuts their risk of death by 36 percent.

Pet Safety

• Pets are required by law to use safety harnesses in the car. Police can fine or ticket you for not having your pet in some type of restraint system while riding in the family car, according to PetTravel.com. In case of a sudden stop or accident, pets can become projectiles and be injured or killed. A pet safety harness is also required because it lowers driver distraction. Pets moving about in the car are the third worst driver distraction, according to a AAA study. Much like a child's seatbelt, it only takes a few minutes to strap a pet into a safety harness. This protects the life of your pet in the case of an accident.

Construction Site

• Construction sites are dangerous for workers who do not follow safety regulations. Construction workers often deal with risky equipment and high attitudes. Safety harnesses provide an extra layer of protection on a high scaffold or beneath ground. The Construction Safety Association of Manitoba created guidelines for the use of a full body safety harness. The device must fit securely over the torso and pelvic area of the worker. The harness supports the construction worker during and after a fall. The full body safety harness also has a shock absorbing mechanism that lessens the shock to the worker. Use of the safety harness is required by construction workers to lessen the risk of injury or death on the job.