How to choose the correct number of attachment points for your harness

Why different attachment points

Attaching to one point is better than to no point at all, right? You or your staff members are secure anyway, so why does the number of attachment points actually matter?

When it comes to a fall, a full body harness with the correct number of attachment points equally distributes the impact of the fall throughout the entire body. This in turn can protect vulnerable parts of the body such as the groin, abdomen and neck against serious injury.

Additionally, the choice of the right number of attachment points on the safety harness is determined by your work activities and work positioning like vertical work.

The possibilities in the number of attachment points

One attachment point

This attachment point is positioned on the back and can easily be attached to a safety rope or automatic fall prevention device. Working with one attachment point is suitable for work that is carried out horizontally and when adjustments in the length of the safety rope are not required. One attachment point is ideal when the work space must be free of obstacles, for example when a roofer is burning roofing shingles.

Two attachment points

The attachment points are positioned on the back and chest and can be combined with almost every fall prevention system. The two attachment points make it possible to attach to the front and back. Some users prefer attaching at the chest because this allows more freedom of movement.

Four attachment points

The attachment points with this harness are positioned on the back, chest, and two on the hips. The two points on the hip can be used for positioning. In combination with a positioning belt, users can carry out work activities at height while keeping their hands free. This number of attachment points is ideal for versatile but short term work at height, alternating between working at an angle and horizontal or vertical work.

Five attachment points

The attachment points are positioned on the back, chest, two on the hip, and abdomen. Five attachment points are required for lengthy vertical work at height, such as descending or rescue work. The extra attachment point on the abdomen has been specifically developed for attaching a descender device.

Harnesses with various numbers of attachment points have their own benefits. For functionality and safety, it is important that you choose the right number of attachment points. Depending on your work activities, it can be one, two, four or five attachment points.

Choice of harness

The (number of) attachment point(s), the attachment system, and the harness all together form a mobile fall protection system. Now that you can visualize the amount of required attachment points for your work activities, you can choose a suitable harness. Read more on various harnesses.