Abstract: A safety harness to be worn by a person includes a strap portion for extending over a portion of the person's body to retain the person within the safety harness. At least a section of the strap portion includes an outer shell of a high strength, flexible material. The outer shell has a channel therein. The outer shell can, for example, have a tubular construction. The strap portion further includes a flexible inner member within the channel of the outer shell. The flexible inner member generally prevents the lateral edges of the strap portion from forming a sharp edge when under tension. In that regard, the lateral edges of the strap portion preferably remain blunted, arced or rounded rather than forming a sharp edge when the strap portion is under tension forces experienced in normal use of the safety harness. The rounded or blunted lateral edges of the strap portion reduce or eliminate the binding, pinching and chaffing common with currently available safety harnesses.

Abstract: A clearance indicator to protect a person using a lanyard comprises a measuring mechanism to measure the distance from an anchor point to a point at least a clearance distance from the anchor point, thereby providing an indication of whether the clearance required in the case of a fall is satisfied. A fall protection system comprises a lanyard including an attachment mechanism for attachment of a first end of the lanyard to an anchor point and the clearance indicator. A method of protecting a person using a lanyard while working at a height from a fall comprises the step of measuring the distance from an anchor point to at least a clearance distance from the anchor point to ensure than no obstacles will interrupt the person's fall.

Abstract: A safety harness to be worn by a person includes a strap portion for extending over a portion of the person's body to retain the person within the safety harness. At least a section of the strap portion includes an outer shell of a high strength, flexible material. The outer shell has a channel therein. The outer shell can, for example, have a tubular construction. The strap portion further includes a flexible inner member within the channel of the outer shell. The flexible inner member generally prevents the lateral edges of the strap portion from forming a sharp edge when under tension. In that regard, the lateral edges of the strap portion preferably remain blunted, arced or rounded rather than forming a sharp edge when the strap portion is under tension forces experienced in normal use of the safety harness. The rounded or blunted lateral edges of the strap portion of the present invention reduce or eliminate the binding, pinching and chaffing common with currently available safety harnesses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable lifeline safety device in which the side of the housing thereof comprises at least two extruded metal housing member which are connected to form the side of the housing. The present invention also provides a retractable lifeline safety device comprising a roller disposed in housing to reduce friction and abrasion. The present invention further provides a retractable lifeline safety device comprising a pawl clip means for maintaining the pawl adjacent the drum flange. The present invention also provides a ratchet brake assembly comprising abutment means extending radially outward therefrom to abut the housing and prevent rotation of the ratchet brake assembly relative to the housing. The present invention also provides retractable lifeline safety device comprising a drum assembly in which the drum flanges are removable from the drum hub to facilitate changes in the lifeline type.