Body Belts

Body belt (safety belt) means a strap with means both for securing it about the waist and for attaching it to a lanyard, lifeline, or deceleration device. Body belts are a form of harness which may be secured about the employee in a manner that will distribute the fall arrest forces over at least the thighs, pelvis, waist, chest and shoulders with means for attaching it to other components of a personal fall arrest system.

ANSI approved body device designed for fall protection, which by reason of its attachment to a lanyard and safety line or structure will limit a fall to 6' or less. A full body harness is the preferred device for fall protection in aerial lift devices. However, safety body belts may be used as “positioning devices” in aerial lift equipment, where employees stand with both feet on the floor of the bucket or platform; and are an acceptable alternative to harnesses only in this application.

Because aerial lifts have passive fall protection systems (bucket or rail system), the intent of the belt is to keep the occupant(s) in the device upon impact, not to attenuate a fall from it.