More than a belt. With thigh straps, a cushioned mesh net and certification to BS EN 813 as well as EN 358, this is effectively a sit harness: it supports the wearer in suspension rather than merely holding them in position. That makes it the right choice for rope access technicians who need a sit harness but not a full body fall arrest harness, and for anyone whose work involves being supported for long periods. Five tool attachment points and an intensive use rating.
Key Features
- BS EN 813 as well as EN 358: Certified as a sit harness for suspension, not just as a positioning belt. That is what separates it from the Akros 4 and KAMI 4.
- Thigh straps with automatic buckles: Take load in suspension, which a belt alone cannot do safely.
- Cushioned mesh net and elasticated straps: Load spreading and comfort for extended wear.
- Five tool attachment points: More than the other belts in the range.
- Fully adjustable: Two combination buckles on the waist strap and automatic buckles on the thighs.
- 45 mm webbing, intensive use rating, maximum user 140 kg.
Technical Specifications
| Property |
Value |
| Product Codes |
FA 10 404 00, FA 10 404 01 |
| Configuration |
Work positioning belt with thigh straps (sit harness) |
| Attachments |
1 sternal, 1 dorsal, 2 lateral |
| Tool Points |
5 |
| Webbing Width |
45 mm |
| Maximum User Weight |
140 kg including equipment |
| Usage Rating |
Intensive use |
| Conformity |
BS EN 358, BS EN 813 |
Not certified to BS EN 361. Where fall arrest is required, a full body harness is needed.
BS EN 358 | BS EN 813 Sit Harness | NOT EN 361 Fall Arrest | Category III PPE
Conforms to BS EN 358 for work positioning and BS EN 813 for sit harnesses. It is not certified to BS EN 361 and is not fall arrest equipment. Where a fall is possible, a full body harness is required. Category III PPE under Regulation (EU) 2016/425, covered by EU Type-Examination certificate 2777/10857-02 E01-01. Inspection by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
Suitable Applications
Suits rope access and suspended work where a sit harness is the appropriate equipment and fall arrest is provided by a separate system: technicians on a working line with an independent back-up, arborists, and confined space work with a fall arrest block above. It also suits pole and tower work where the operative is positioned for long periods. Where a fall from height is possible and no separate fall arrest system is in place, a full body harness such as the Fly'in 3 is required instead.
More About This Product
A harness is the only piece of fall protection equipment worn continuously, and that changes what matters about it. A lanyard that is slightly awkward gets used anyway. A harness that is uncomfortable gets loosened off after lunch, and a loose harness performs materially worse in a fall — the wearer drops further before the harness takes load, and the load lands on the wrong parts of the body when it does.
So comfort is not a luxury specification on a harness worn for a full shift; it is what determines whether the harness is still correctly adjusted at four in the afternoon. That is why padding, ventilation and the quality of the adjusters justify their cost on anything worn daily, and why the cheapest harness is rarely the cheapest outcome.
Suspension Trauma and Why the Rescue Plan Comes First
A harness that successfully arrests a fall leaves the wearer suspended, upright and conscious. That is the point — and it is also the beginning of a second, less obvious emergency.
Suspension trauma, also called orthostatic intolerance, develops when someone hangs motionless in a harness. The leg straps restrict venous return, blood pools in the legs, and the volume returning to the heart falls. Unconsciousness can follow within minutes, and the outcome can be fatal even after a successful rescue if the casualty is moved incorrectly.
Two practical consequences follow. First, a rescue plan that depends on calling the emergency services is not a plan, because the response time is longer than the time available. Rescue has to be possible with the equipment and people on site. Second, a suspension trauma relief strap — a few pounds, deploys in seconds, lets the casualty stand in the loops and restore circulation — buys the time the rescue needs. It is the cheapest meaningful addition to any harness and the one most often left off.
This is why the rescue plan is required before work begins rather than written afterwards.
How to Use the Belt
- Confirm fall arrest is provided separately: This is not EN 361 equipment. Something else must arrest a fall.
- Adjust the waist onto the hips and the thigh straps snug, since both take load in suspension.
- Use both lateral points together for a positioning lanyard.
- Maintain an independent back-up on rope.
- Use tool points for tools only.
- Get the size right: Two sizes, and fit matters more in suspension.
Warning: Not certified to BS EN 361 and not fall arrest equipment. Where a fall is possible, a full body harness is required. Rope access requires specific training and an independent back-up system.
Safety Information
- For use only by trained and competent persons within a safe system of work.
- Not fall arrest equipment. A separate EN 361 system is required where a fall is possible.
- Maximum user weight 140 kg including tools.
- Adjust the waist onto the hips and thigh straps snug before suspending.
- Maintain an independent back-up when working on rope.
- Tool points are not attachment points.
- Inspection by a competent person required at intervals not exceeding 12 months.
Inspection and Maintenance
Inspect as a suspension harness rather than as a belt, since that is how it is used. The waist and thigh attachments carry sustained body weight, so examine their stitching and surrounding webbing closely for wear and distortion. Check the mesh net for tears and crushed padding, the elasticated straps for perishing and loss of tension, and all buckles for creep under load. Inspect the belt webbing for abrasion where it contacts structure. Given the duty, inspect more often than the annual minimum.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this a belt or a harness?
Effectively a sit harness. It has thigh straps and EN 813 certification, so it supports the wearer in suspension, which a plain positioning belt cannot do. What it does not have is EN 361 fall arrest certification, so it is not a full body harness either.
Q: Can I use it for rope access?
As the sit harness component, yes, provided fall arrest and a back-up are handled by a separate system. Many rope access technicians prefer a full body harness with an EN 813 ventral point, such as the Fly'in 3, which covers everything in one item.
Q: How does it differ from the Akros 4?
Thigh straps and EN 813 certification. The Akros 4 is a positioning belt only, holding you in place. This supports you in suspension. Different applications, and the EN 813 marking is what tells you which is which.
