workplace safety
MICA MESSENGER
33
shoulder straps at this time to achieve 
proper alignment of the torso strap. The 
shoulder straps should be tightened to 
the level that they put slight pressure on 
the user’s shoulders, but not so much 
that they feel uncomfortably tight over 
the shoulders. A properly fit harness 
should be felt all over the user’s body. 
Some people describe their harness 
as feeling like an exoskeleton that is 
conformed to their body. 
Ideal dorsal D-ring location 
Once a user believes their harness is 
properly fit, they should have another 
user or the site’s “competent person” 
approve the fit. Straps should not be 
twisted nor inverted, and all buckles 
should remain fastened until work is 
finished. If the harness must be adjusted 
while working, the user should only do 
so in an area where fall protection is no 
longer required.
Often, a properly fit harness naturally 
places a user’s dorsal D-ring at the ideal 
location on their upper back. The dor-
sal D-ring should sit centered between 
the shoulder blades on a user’s upper 
back. Too low of a D-ring does not allow 
for proper body positioning during fall 
arrest, and too high of a D-ring risks 
the user being struck in the head by 
their connection device’s snap hook or 
carabiner. The dorsal D-ring sits where 
many users can reach behind their 
backs, but that is not a fit requirement.
Training 
OSHA requires employers to conduct 
annual training for employees who use 
fall protection equipment. However, 
if safety managers are noticing com-
pliance issues or employees misusing 
equipment, more frequent training 
may be necessary. There is no way to 
determine exactly how much training 
an employee requires to ensure proper 
use of fall protection equipment, so safe-
ty managers must remain vigilant and 
ensure their employees are complying 
with industry best practices.
In conclusion 
The complexity of maintaining a com-
prehensive fall protection program 
can’t be understated. Many factors 
can contribute to or inhibit a safety 
program’s success. Buy-in from com-
pany leadership, users complying with 
policies to the best of their abilities, and 
effective communication that leads to 
continuous improvement are some of 
the cornerstones of a successful safety 
program, but they are not enough to 
make the program work on its own. 
Everyone in the organization must do 
their part on a daily basis to contribute 
to the program’s effectiveness.
Philip Jacklin is the Continuing Education 
Program Manager for Diversified Fall 
Protection. He is an AIA continuing 
ed provider, QSSP certified, OSHA-30 
trained, and has been a partner to the 
fall protection industry since 2018. Philip 
has a background in worker advocacy, 
team leadership, and fostering 
camaraderie among peers. He enjoys 
playing music, writing, and spending 
time in the sunshine with his family in 
Virginia Beach, Va. 
Midwest Insulation Contractors Association
www.micainsulation.org
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