Harnesses should be chosen that are suitable for their intended application and should be of a design that will support the user in the correct position. A harness should be comfortable, allowing adequate movement of the user and the unhindered operation of other devices within the system.

SIT HARNESS
European Standard: EN 813:1997
Personal protective equipment for prevention of falls from a height - Sit harnesses

Description:
Sit harnesses have lateral and central attachment points and are designed primarily to be used for work in suspension, although they may also be used for work restraint purposes.  Some sit harnesses can be made to conform to the requirements of a full body harness, by the addition of a chest harness and a suitable attachment to connect the two.

HARNESSES (FALL ARREST)
European Standard: EN 361:2002
Personal protective equipment against falls from a height - Full body harnesses

Description:
A fall arrest harness is a full body harness, with chest and dorsal attachment points to ensure the user is correctly positioned after a fall. It is essential for fall arrest climbing.

CHEST HARNESS
Description:
A chest harnesses is used to convert an EN 358 work positioning harness into an EN 361 fall arrest harness, with a suitable attachment to connect the two. The chest harness is worn around the upper body when working and is essential for ascending the rope. The ascending device is usually attached between the chest harness and the sit harness thus connecting the two harnesses for total body support.

A full body harness conforming to both EN 361 and EN 813 standards is recommended for rope access work.