Instructions For Use

Important Points

You have just acquired Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from Miller and we thank you for your confidence. In order for this product to meet all your expectations, follow the instructions in this manual Before Each Use.

Disregarding the instructions described in this manual could give rise to some serious repercussions. We advise that you re-read these instructions from time to time. In addition, Bacou-Dalloz declines all responsibility for any use, storage methods or maintenance carried out in any other manner than that described in this manual.

If the buyer is not the end user, it is important that these are given to the latter

If the product is resold outside of the country where it has been purchased, it is essential for the safety of the user that the reseller provide the following elements in the language of that country where the product will be used:

Maintenance guidelines
Instructions for periodical inspection
Repair Instructions
Any additional information regarding the equipment

The only acceptable form of body wear for use in fall arrest is a full body harness. It is necessary to be completely sure before use that the recommendations specific to each element associated with this product, such as defined in their instructions, are respected, that they comply with the applicable European standards or otherwise any other appropriate standard and that their safety functions do not interfere with one another.

Whenever possible, it is highly advisable to assign this equipment personally to one and the same user. Check that the product you have just acquired is compatible with the recommendations of the other system components.

While in use, protect your PPE against all risks connected with the work environment: thermal, electrical or mechanical shocks, acid splashes, sharp edges etc.

Attention:

Activities at height are dangerous and can bring about serious accidents and injuries. We remind that you are personally responsible in the case of an accident, injury or fatality to either yourself or a third party during or following the use of one of our products. It is recommended that training in the use of our products is done under the supervision and instruction of a competent and experienced person. Ensure that you have been A good physical condition is obligatory in order to carry out work at a height. Certain medical conditions may pose a potential threat to the safety of the user under normal working conditions or in an emergency (medication, cardio-vascular problems…). If in doubt, ask your doctor.

Conforms to Standard EN361

Full body harness (in webbing, with synthetic fibres, material information available on equipment labels) with or without connectors (cf. EN 362)
A fall arrest harness is designed to be used together with other components forming part of personal fall arrest systems (cf. EN 363)
To attach the fall arrest harness correctly to an anchorage point (cf. EN 795), we advise the following:
Use the Dorsal anchorage point of the harness for shock-absorbing lanyards (EN 355) or self-retracting lifelines (EN 360)
Use the chest anchorage point of the harness to connect the mobile fall arrester including an anchorage support (rigid cf. EN 353-1, flexible cf. EN 353-2)

Additional Elements According to EN358

Element(s) that may be mounted on a fall arrest harness so that it may be used as or with a work positioning or retaining system (cf. EN 358)
In the working position, the positioning lanyard should be adjusted so as not to allow a free fall exceeding 0.50m. This lanyard should be kept taut.
The work positioning or retaining system must not be used for fall arrest purposes.

Putting on the Full Body Harness

To fit your harness more easily, we recommend that you follow the instructions detailed below:
Take the harness by the Back ‘D’ ring,
Put on the shoulder straps one after the other,
Pass the leg straps between your legs and connect the buckles on either side of your hips. Make sure that the leg straps do not cross
Adjust the leg straps by pulling or releasing the strap end (see diagram). If your harness is fitted with a belt, connect the waist strap and adjust to fit.
For harnesses equipped with shoulder strap adjustment, adjust the shoulder straps one after the other by pulling on or releasing the end of the strap
Attach the thorax strap if present
Connect the chest attachment points of the harness using a connector (cf. EN 362)
For a fall arrest harness to be totally efficient, it must be properly adjusted (not too tight or too loose).

Note: that harnesses with elasticated webbing require a tighter fit. After adjusting your harness, check that no webbing is twisted or crossed over, that all the buckles are correctly attached and that the back ‘D’ is situated level with the shoulder blades. For your safety, do not hesitate to seek help to ensure that your harness is correctly fitted.

Use

The fall arrest system Must Only be connected to the back attaching element on the harness, provided for the purpose (”D” ring or webbing attachment extension) or to the chest anchorage points (webbing link or ”D” link). The chest anchorage points must imperatively be used together. The D-rings on the belt and the ventral anchorage point must only be used for the attachment of a work positioning or retaining system and never with a fall arrest system
During use, check regularly the adjustment and/or attachment points.

Checking

Before each use, proceed with thorough visual examination to ensure that the PPE is intact (the same applies for the equipment used with the harness (connectors, lanyard…) and take all necessary steps concerning the implementation of rescue in total safety. In the event of your product being contaminated, consult the manufacturer or his agent. If you have any doubts regarding the safe state of the product or if the product has been used to arrest a fall, for your personal safety, it is essential to withdraw the PPE from service and send it back to the manufacturer or a qualified repair centre for checking or
destruction.

Following the inspection, the centre will provide written authorisation or refusal for the use of the PPE. Never attempt to modify or repair PPE yourself; only the manufacturer or a repair centre is qualified to make these repairs.

Check the serviceable condition of the harness:

No incipient breaks in the webbing
No deformation of the D-rings
Correct operation of the buckle systems
Integrity of the seams
Good condition of the metal components

Fall Clearance

If there is a risk of fall or if the only anchorage is below the attachment points on the harness, it is essential to use a lanyard provided with an energy absorber.
Before using a shock-absorbing lanyard, check that there is sufficient fall clearance below the user to prevent any collision with the structure or the ground.
With a weight of 100 kg and a fall factor of two (the least favorable case), the fall clearance D is the stopping distance H (2L+1,75m) plus an additional distance of 1 m.

Periodic Examination

Keep these instructions with the product and fill in the identification sheet, entering the information taken from the markings.
The periodic examination is essential to test the resistance and condition of the equipment and to guarantee the safety of the user.
A qualified person must examine this equipment at least once each year in strict compliance with the instructions of the manufacturer and the previous check must be
recorded on the attached sheet.
The frequency of inspection should be increased in accordance with the regulations, if the equipment is in heavy usage or if the equipment is used in harsh environments. Check also that the markings are legible.

Life Time

The estimated life time for a harness is 5 years. However, the following factors may reduce the performance of the product and its life time: incorrect storage, improper use, fall arrest, deformation, contact with chemical products (alkali and acid), exposure to sources of heat > 60°C.

Anchorage Point

If possible, use with structural anchors (cf. EN 795) (i.e. elements which are fixed permanently to a structure eg. wall, post…)

In all cases, check that the anchorage point:

Offers minimum resistance of 10 kN,
Is situated above the operator,
Is vertically in line with the working surface: (maximum angle ±30°),
Is totally suited to the equipment attaching device.
Does not have any sharp, cutting edges

Maintenance and Storage

Good maintenance and storage of your PPE will prolong the working-life of your product, while ensuring your safety:

Be sure to comply with these recommendations:

The harness should be cleaned with water and a mild soap. Never use acid, solvents or anything based on them
Leave it to dry in a well-ventilated area, away from sources of heat.
Store the harness away from humidity and ultraviolet light,
Avoid any corrosive atmosphere and excessive heat or cold.

Karabiner

Connector conforming to standard EN 362
When the karabiner is used for attachment to an anchorage point, check for compliance with the recommendations of the "Anchorage Point" paragraph. It is also possible to use a webbing sling (EN 795) or a girder grip (EN 362) to connect to the anchorage point.

When connecting the karabiner, make sure the locking device is in place

Caution:

The karabiner is an essential component for your safety. Therefore we advise you to:
Assign the connector to one person in particular, when possible
Check before each use for any signs of deformation, signs of wear and the correct operation of the locking system
If it has a manual locking system, try to avoid repeatedly attaching and removing it during a working day
Similarly, if the karabiner is used to arrest a fall, it is necessary to return it for inspection

Transport

During transport, check that your PPE is stored well away from any source of heat, damp, corrosive atmosphere, ultraviolet rays,etc. …

Markings

The name, the trademark or any other means of identifying the manufacturer or the supplier
The description and/or its reference, and size
CE0333: CE logo followed by the number of the notified organization having carried out the examination or used in the production test phase
EN xxx: Number of the European conformity standard
The standardized pictogram informing the user to read the instructions
The batch or serial number
The year of manufacture
The material(s) of the main synthetic fibres used in the construction of the equipment
A capital " A " denoting the attachment points on the fall arrest system
Half a capital " A " denoting the attachment points that should be used together

Lifting Equipment

Height Safety Equipment