Full Body Harnesses
A full body harness is the foundation of any personal fall arrest system — the interface between the worker and every other component of the fall protection system. Unlike body belts, which are no longer permitted for fall arrest under OSHA 1910.140 and 1926.502, full body harnesses distribute fall arrest forces across the shoulders, chest, thighs, and hips, limiting peak forces on any single body region and dramatically reducing injury risk in the event of an arrested fall. WC Safety reviews MSA Safety's V-SERIES® full body harnesses, engineered for comfort, durability, and compatibility across the complete MSA fall protection system.
The MSA V-FIT™ Safety Harness is the flagship of the V-SERIES® harness line, designed for general construction and industrial applications where workers need a reliable, ANSI Z359.11-compliant full body harness at a competitive price point. The V-FIT™ features a dorsal D-ring for standard fall arrest connection, a sternum strap for maintaining front D-ring positioning, and a sub-pelvic strap system that properly positions the worker in the harness after fall arrest. Multiple adjustment points — shoulders, chest, legs — allow for a precise fit across a wide range of body types. The V-FIT™ is rated to 420 pounds including tools and equipment, meeting OSHA's maximum capacity requirement for fall arrest harnesses.
For hot work environments including welding, cutting, and applications with spark and spatter hazards, the MSA V-FORM™ Welding Harness replaces standard webbing and hardware with materials specifically selected for thermal resistance. The V-FORM™ features flame-resistant webbing, leather back pad, and hardware selected for resistance to weld spatter damage — critical protection for ironworkers, welders, and structural steel workers who cannot use standard synthetic-webbing harnesses in their work environment. The V-FIT™ Arc Flash harness extends this protection to electrical workers exposed to arc flash hazards, meeting NFPA 70E requirements for arc-rated personal protective equipment when used in arc flash boundary zones.
Harness fit is the most critical factor in fall arrest system performance. A poorly fitted harness may fail to distribute fall forces properly, potentially causing injury even in a successfully arrested fall. Key fit checkpoints include: shoulder straps lie flat with no slack or bunching; chest strap positioned mid-chest; leg straps snug with room for two fingers; dorsal D-ring positioned between the shoulder blades at the upper back. MSA V-SERIES® harnesses incorporate color-coded adjustment hardware and clear sizing guides to simplify donning and inspection, reducing the risk of field misuse that can compromise fall arrest effectiveness.
Harness inspection before each use is required by OSHA and should include checking all webbing for cuts, fraying, chemical damage, and heat damage; all hardware for corrosion, cracks, and proper function of buckles and snaps; and the dorsal D-ring for deformation or damage. MSA harnesses include inspection guides on the product label and wear indicators that help workers identify when the harness must be retired. Any harness that has been involved in a fall arrest must be removed from service immediately regardless of visible condition — fall arrest forces can create internal webbing damage that is not visible on the surface.
WC Safety reviews MSA V-SERIES® full body harnesses in multiple sizes and configurations. Choose by application — standard construction, hot work, arc flash, or confined space — and by size to ensure proper fit for every worker on your crew. Pair with MSA V-TEC® self-retracting lanyards or V-EDGE™ energy absorbing lanyards and compatible anchorage connectors to complete a fully integrated MSA fall protection system.
Related reference guides
- Full-body harness inspection checklist — the before-use safety check.
- The ABCDs of fall protection — anchorage, body wear, connectors, descent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why must I use a full-body harness instead of a body belt for fall arrest?
OSHA 1926.502 and ANSI Z359 require a full-body harness for personal fall arrest because it spreads arrest forces across the thighs, pelvis, chest, and shoulders, reducing injury risk. Body belts are prohibited for fall arrest and are limited to positioning or restraint. A harness also keeps you upright and supported after a fall while awaiting rescue.
How should a full-body harness fit?
A properly fitted harness is snug but not restrictive: the dorsal D-ring sits between the shoulder blades, chest strap crosses mid-chest, and leg straps allow a flat hand to slide under with minimal slack. Adjust all buckles so webbing lies flat with no twists. Choose the correct size (these collections include Small through X-Large) since fit is critical to arrest performance.
What is a construction or positioning harness used for?
Positioning harnesses, such as the ExoFit X200 and X100 Construction Positioning models, add side D-rings so a worker can lean back into the harness hands-free on rebar, formwork, or poles. Side D-rings are for positioning only, not fall arrest; the dorsal D-ring still anchors the fall arrest connector. This supports tasks like welding, formwork, and tower work.
How do I inspect a full-body harness before each use?
Before each use, bend webbing in an inverted U along its length to expose cuts, frays, burns, or chemical damage; check stitching for pulled or broken threads; inspect D-rings and buckles for cracks, distortion, or corrosion; and verify the impact indicator has not deployed. ANSI Z359 also requires a documented competent-person inspection at least annually.
Are there harnesses rated for welding or higher capacity?
Yes. The Protecta PRO Welders harness uses heat- and spark-resistant materials for hot work and carries a higher capacity rating (around 420 lb in this model). Always confirm a harness's stated capacity range, which covers the worker plus tools and equipment, and select materials suited to your hazard, such as Kevlar or treated webbing for welding.
Browse by category: Harness Accessories
Related Safety Gear & Guides
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- 3M Dbi Sala 1402106 Exofit X200 Construction Positioning Full Body Harness Medium Review
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Standards & references
Selection guidance on this page is mapped to these primary sources: Cited for reference only. Standards text is not a substitute for a written program, a hazard assessment, or evaluation by a qualified safety professional.
Selection guidance on this page is mapped to these primary sources: Cited for reference only. Standards text is not a substitute for a written program, a hazard assessment, or evaluation by a qualified safety professional.
Peakworks V860303 Universal Trauma Straps for Harnesses
Peakworks
Original price
$48.49
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$48.49
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$48.49
$48.49
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$48.49
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$48.49
EDITORIAL PICK. Ranked in our suspension trauma straps guide — every harness accessory lives in the full body harness collection. Universal traum...
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Guardian Trauma Strap — Fall Protection 10733
Guardian Fall Protection
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$33.96
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$33.96
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$33.96
$33.96
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$33.96
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$33.96
EDITORIAL PICK. Ranked in our suspension trauma straps guide — every harness accessory lives in the full body harness collection. The Guardian tr...
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MSA Suspension Trauma Relief System — Safety Step
MSA Safety
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$21.29
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$21.29
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$21.29
$21.29
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$21.29
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$21.29
EDITORIAL PICK. Ranked in our suspension trauma straps guide — every harness accessory lives in the full body harness collection. A step-based su...
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FallTech 5040 Trauma Relief Strap Set, Hip-Pack with Reflective Webbing
FallTech
Original price
$39.15
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$39.15
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$39.15
$39.15
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$39.15
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$39.15
EDITORIAL PICK. Ranked in our suspension trauma straps guide — every harness accessory lives in the full body harness collection. A hip-pack trau...
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3M DBI-SALA Suspension Trauma Strap (Safety Strap Pair)
3M DBI-SALA
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$31.92
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$31.92
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$31.92
$31.92
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$31.92
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$31.92
EDITORIAL PICK. Ranked in our suspension trauma straps guide — every harness accessory lives in the full body harness collection. A suspension tr...
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Guardian Fall Protection 1704 Velocity Economy Full Body Harness, XL/2XL
Guardian Fall Protection
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$44.99
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$44.99
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$44.99
$44.99
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$44.99
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$44.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — Guardian Fall Protection 1704 Velocity Economy Full Body Harness, XL/2XL Read the full Guardian Fall...
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Guardian Fall Protection 37100 Series 3 Full Body Harness (X-Small/Small) — Dorsal D-Ring Fall Arrest Harness
Guardian Fall Protection
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$59.99
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$59.99
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$59.99
$59.99
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$59.99
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$59.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — Guardian Fall Protection 37100 Series 3 Full Body Harness, X-Small/Small Read the full Guardian Fall...
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Guardian Fall Protection 37102 Series 3 Full-Body Harness, X-Large/2X-Large
Guardian Fall Protection
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$64.99
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$64.99
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$64.99
$64.99
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$64.99
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$64.99
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Guardian Fall Protection 37101 Series 3 Full Body Harness, Medium/Large
Guardian Fall Protection
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$59.99
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$59.99
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$59.99
$59.99
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$59.99
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$59.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — Guardian Fall Protection 37101 Series 3 Full Body Harness, Medium/Large Editorial assessment by Stev...
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MSA Gravity Utility Full Body Harness, Small, 3 D-Rings (10162117)
MSA Safety
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$249.99
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$249.99
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$249.99
$249.99
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$249.99
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$249.99
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MSA Safety 10163238 Workman Arc Flash Full Body Harness (Standard) — Non-Conductive PPE for Fall Arrest
MSA Safety
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$199.99
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$199.99
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$199.99
$199.99
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$199.99
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$199.99
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MSA Safety Workman Arc Flash Full Body Harness, X-Large (10162695)
MSA Safety
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$229.99
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$229.99
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$229.99
$229.99
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$229.99
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$229.99
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MSA Workman Full Body Harness, Super X-Large (10072493)
MSA Safety
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$139.99
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$139.99
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$139.99
$139.99
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$139.99
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$139.99
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FallTech 70152X Contractor Full Body Harness, 2X-Large
FallTech
Original price
$64.99
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$64.99
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$64.99
$64.99
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$64.99
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$64.99
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FallTech 7015 Contractor full body harness (Universal Fit, dorsal D-ring)
FallTech
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$59.99
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$59.99
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$59.99
$59.99
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$59.99
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$59.99
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FallTech 7007XL FT-Basic Full Body Harness, Extra Large
FallTech
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$54.99
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$54.99
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$54.99
$54.99
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$54.99
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$54.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the FallTech 7007XL FT-Basic full body harness (Extra Large) Read the full FallTech 7007XL FT-Basic ...
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FallTech 7007 FT-Basic Full Body Harness, Universal Fit
FallTech
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$49.99
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$49.99
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$49.99
$49.99
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$49.99
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$49.99
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Miller DuraFlex Ultra E650FDQC Full Body Harness, Universal (400 lb)
Honeywell
Original price
$129.99
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$129.99
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$129.99
$129.99
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$129.99
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$129.99
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Honeywell Miller DuraFlex Warehouse E850-2 Full-Body Harness, Universal (Back D-Ring Fall Arrest)
Honeywell
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$99.99
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$99.99
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$99.99
$99.99
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$99.99
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$99.99
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Honeywell Miller DuraFlex Python full body harness (XX-Large, P9504XXLGN)
Honeywell
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$109.99
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$109.99
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$109.99
$109.99
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$109.99
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$109.99
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Miller Titan AirCore AC-QC-D Full Body Harness, L/XL (Side D-rings, 400 lb)
Honeywell
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$119.99
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$119.99
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$119.99
$119.99
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$119.99
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$119.99
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Miller H100 Full Body Harness, Small/Medium (420 lb, Mating Buckles)
Honeywell
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$89.99
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$89.99
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$89.99
$89.99
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$89.99
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$89.99
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Honeywell Miller Revolution RDTFD-QC-DP Full Body Harness, Small/Medium
Honeywell
Original price
$149.99
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$149.99
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$149.99
$149.99
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$149.99
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$149.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — Honeywell Miller Revolution RDTFD-QC-DP Full Body Harness, Small/Medium Read the full Honeywell Mill...
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3M Protecta Comfort Construction Full Body Harness, Medium/Large (Fall Arrest Harness)
3M
Original price
$119.99
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$119.99
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$119.99
$119.99
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$119.99
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$119.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — 3M Protecta Comfort Construction Full Body Harness, Medium/Large Read the full 3M Protecta Comfort C...
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3M Protecta 1191370 Welder's Full Body Harness, Small (3 D-Ring, 420 lb)
3M
Original price
$109.99
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$109.99
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$109.99
$109.99
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$109.99
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$109.99
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3M Protecta Fall Protection Harness 1161401, Medium/Large — 420 lb Full Body Harness with Positioning Loops
3M
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$259.75
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$259.75
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$259.75
$259.75
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$259.75
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$259.75
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 — WC Safety Review of the Protecta fall protection harness 1161401 by 3M, Medium/Large. Editorial assessment by Steven Ea...
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3M Protecta 1161421 Comfort Full Body Harness, Medium/Large (Back D-Ring, Construction-Grade Fall Arrest)
3M
Original price
$79.99
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$79.99
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$79.99
$79.99
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$79.99
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$79.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — 3M Protecta 1161421 Comfort Full Body Harness, Medium/Large Read the full 3M Protecta 1161421 Comfor...
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3M Protecta 1191260 PRO Harness (Full Body, Medium/Large)
3M
Original price
$99.99
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$99.99
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$99.99
$99.99
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$99.99
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$99.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the 3M Protecta 1191260 PRO harness (Full Body, Medium/Large) Read the full 3M Protecta 1191260 PRO ...
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3M Protecta PRO Full Body Harness, X-Large (1191254)
3M
Original price
$89.99
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$89.99
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$89.99
$89.99
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$89.99
Current price
$89.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — the 3M Protecta PRO full body harness (X-Large, 1191254) Read the full 3M Protecta PRO Full Body Har...
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3M DBI-SALA ExoFit STRATA XP Full Body Harness 1110227, Large — 420 lb Quick-Connect Fall Arrest Harness
3M
Original price
$219.99
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$219.99
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$219.99
$219.99
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$219.99
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$219.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.8/5 — WC Safety Review, 3M DBI-SALA ExoFit STRATA XP Full Body Harness (1110227), Large. Editorial assessment by Steven Eaton...
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3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X100 Comfort Vest Full Body Harness, Large (1401022)
3M
Original price
$129.99
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$129.99
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$129.99
$129.99
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$129.99
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$129.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — 3M DBI-SALA 1401022 ExoFit X100 Comfort Vest Full Body Harness, Large Read the full 3M DBI-SALA ExoF...
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3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X200 Construction Positioning Full Body Harness 1402106, Medium
3M
Original price
$189.99
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$189.99
Original price
$189.99
$189.99
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$189.99
Current price
$189.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — 3M DBI-SALA 1402106 ExoFit X200 Construction Positioning Full Body Harness, Medium Editorial assessm...
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3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X200 Comfort Vest Full Body Harness, X-Large (1402023)
3M
Original price
$149.99
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Original price
$149.99
Original price
$149.99
$149.99
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$149.99
Current price
$149.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — 3M DBI-SALA 1402023 ExoFit X200 Comfort Vest Full Body Harness, X-Large Read the full 3M DBI-SALA Ex...
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3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X200 Comfort Vest Full Body Harness, Large (1402022)
3M
Original price
$149.99
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Original price
$149.99
Original price
$149.99
$149.99
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$149.99
Current price
$149.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — 3M DBI-SALA 1402022 ExoFit X200 Comfort Vest Full Body Harness, Large Editorial assessment by Steven...
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3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X300 Full Body Harness, Small (1113001)
3M
Original price
$179.99
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Original price
$179.99
Original price
$179.99
$179.99
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$179.99
Current price
$179.99
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.5/5 WC Safety Review — 3M DBI-SALA 1113001 ExoFit X300 Full Body Harness, Small Editorial assessment by Steven Eaton, WC Sa...
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3M Protecta Comfort Harness — 1161309 Construction Full Body Harness
3M
Original price
$121.28
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Original price
$121.28
Original price
$121.28
$121.28
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$121.28
Current price
$121.28
EDITORIAL PICK. Ranked in our safety harness guide — every option lives in the full body harness collection. The 3M Protecta Comfort harness — bu...
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3M Protecta Full Body Harness for Welders — 1191370 Hot Work, 420 lb
3M
Original price
$200.29
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Original price
$200.29
Original price
$200.29
$200.29
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$200.29
Current price
$200.29
EDITORIAL PICK. Ranked in our safety harness guide — every option lives in the full body harness collection. The 3M Protecta full body harness bu...
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3M Protecta Harness (PRO 1191260) — 3 D-Ring Full Body Harness
3M
Original price
$222.68
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Original price
$222.68
Original price
$222.68
$222.68
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$222.68
Current price
$222.68
EDITORIAL PICK. Ranked in our safety harness guide — every option lives in the full body harness collection. The Protecta harness for general con...
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3M Protecta First AB17540 Construction Harness — Back & Side D-Rings, 5-Point
3M
Original price
$59.35
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Original price
$59.35
Original price
$59.35
$59.35
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$59.35
Current price
$59.35
EDITORIAL PICK. Featured in our best safety harness guide — compare it across the full body harnesses collection. The value construction harness ...
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3M DBI-SALA Delta 1102000 Full Body Harness — Vest-Style, 420 lb
3M
Original price
$183.76
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Original price
$183.76
Original price
$183.76
$183.76
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$183.76
Current price
$183.76
EDITORIAL PICK. Featured in our best safety harness guide — compare it across the full body harnesses collection. The vest-style Delta full body ...
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3M DBI-SALA ExoFit Harness X200 — Comfort Construction Positioning, 1402090
3M
Original price
$833.11
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Original price
$833.11
Original price
$833.11
$833.11
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$833.11
Current price
$833.11
EDITORIAL PICK. Featured in our best safety harness guide — compare it across the full body harnesses collection. The premium ExoFit harness — DB...
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3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X200 Comfort Vest Safety Harness — Padded, 1402022
3M
Original price
$309.95
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Original price
$309.95
Original price
$309.95
$309.95
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$309.95
Current price
$309.95
EDITORIAL PICK. Featured in our best safety harness guide — compare it across the full body harnesses collection. The comfort-vest safety harness...
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3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X100 Comfort Vest Fall Protection Harness — 420 lb, 1401001
3M
Original price
$279.45
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Original price
$279.45
Original price
$279.45
$279.45
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$279.45
Current price
$279.45
EDITORIAL PICK. Featured in our best safety harness guide — compare it across the full body harnesses collection. The entry ExoFit fall protectio...
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3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X100 Construction Positioning Harness — 3 D-Ring, 1401111
3M
Original price
$326.34
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Original price
$326.34
Original price
$326.34
$326.34
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$326.34
Current price
$326.34
EDITORIAL PICK. Featured in our best safety harness guide — compare it across the full body harnesses collection. The X100 construction positioni...
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3M DBI-SALA ExoFit X300 Comfort Vest Fall Arrest Harness — Aluminum, 1113001
3M
Original price
$502.00
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Original price
$502.00
Original price
$502.00
$502.00
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$502.00
Current price
$502.00
EDITORIAL PICK. Featured in our best safety harness guide — compare it across the full body harnesses collection. The top-of-line fall arrest har...
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