PETZL AVAO BOD Full Body Fall Arrest and Positioning Harness Instruction Manual

PETZL AVAO BOD Full Body Fall Arrest and Positioning Harness

These instructions explain how to correctly use your equipment. Only certain techniques and uses are described. The warning symbols inform you of some potential dangers related to the use of your equipment, but it is impossible to describe them all. Check Petzl.com for updates and additional information. You are responsible for heeding each warning and using your equipment correctly. Any misuse of this equipment will create additional dangers. Contact Petzl if you have any doubts or difficulty understanding these instructions.

Field of application

Personal protective equipment (PPE) used for fall protection from height. Full-body fall arrest and positioning harness for work at height. Nominal maximum load: 140 kg. This product must not be pushed beyond its limits, nor be used for any purpose other than that for which it is designed.

Responsibility
WARNING Activities involving the use of this equipment are inherently dangerous. You are responsible for your own actions, decisions and safety.
Before using this equipment, you must:

• Read and understand all Instructions for Use.
• Get specific training in its proper use.
• Become acquainted with its capabilities and limitations.
• Understand and accept the risks involved.

Failure to heed any of these warnings may result in severe injury or death.
This product must only be used by competent and responsible persons, or those placed under the direct and visual control of a competent and responsible person. You are responsible for your actions, your decisions and your safety and you assume the consequences of same. If you are not able, or not in a position to assume this responsibility, or if you do not fully understand the Instructions for Use, do not use this equipment.

Nomenclature

• Chest harness:

1. Dorsal attachment point,
2. Rear dorsal point adjustment buckle,
3. Front shoulder strap adjustment buckles,
4. Sternal attachment point,
5. Chest harness-sit harness connector,
6. CAPTIV,
7. Elastic keepers for straps,
8. Velcro keeper for ASAP’SORBER,
9. Fall-arrest lanyard connector parking,
10. Visual indicator.  

Sit harness:

11. Textile attachment point for Bm’D connector,
12. Waistbelt straps,
13. Leg loops,
14. Metal ventral attachment point,
15. Waistbelt side attachment points,
16. Rear restraint attachment point,
17. DOUBLE BACK adjustment buckles for straps,  

( bis) FAST buckles for leg loops,

18. Equipment loops,
19. Loops for TOOLBAG tool pouch,
20. DOUBLE BACK adjustment buckles for leg loop-waistbelt linking straps,
21. Loops for CARITOOL tool holder.

• Principal materials:

  • Straps: polyester.
    Adjustment buckles: steel.

  • Metal attachment points and connector: aluminum alloy.

Inspection, points to verify

Your safety depends upon the integrity of your equipment. Petzl recommends a detailed inspection by a competent person at least once every 12 months (depending on current regulations in your country, and your conditions of usage). WARNING: your intensity of use may cause you to inspect your PPE more frequently. Follow the procedures described at Petzl.com. Record the results on your PPE inspection form: type, model, manufacturer contact info, serial number or individual number, dates: manufacture, purchase, first use, next periodic inspection; problems, comments, inspector’s name and signature .

Before each use

• Harnesses
  Check the webbing at the attachment points, at the adjustment buckles and at the safety stitching. Be particularly careful to check for cut or loose threads. Look for cuts, wear and damage due to use, to heat, to chemicals… Verify that the DOUBLEBACK and FAST buckles function properly. Check the visual indicator. The indicator shows red if the dorsal attachment point sustains a shock load greater than 400 daN. Retire the harness if the visual indicator is visible.

• Bm’D TRIACT-LOCK connector
  Verify the absence of any cracks, deformation, corrosion or wear on the frame, rivet, gate, and locking sleeve. Verify that the gate opens, and that it closes automatically and completely. The Keylock hole must not be blocked or plugged. Check that the locking sleeve locks and unlocks.

• During use
  Verify that the carabiner is always loaded on the major axis. Regularly check that the locking sleeve is locked. Avoid any pressure or rubbing that could unlock the gate or damage the locking sleeve. Regularly verify that the adjustment buckles are properly tightened. It is important to regularly monitor the condition of the product and its connections to the other equipment in the system. Make sure that all items of equipment are correctly positioned with respect to each other.

Compatibility
Verify that this product is compatible with the other elements of the system in your application (compatible = good functional interaction). The CAPTIV must be used with your connector.

Harness setup

• Be sure to correctly stow the excess webbing (folded flat) in the elastic keepers.
• Beware of foreign objects that could impede the operation of the FAST buckles (e.g. pebbles, sand, clothing…). Verify that they are correctly fastened (see diagrams).

Bm’D TRIACT-LOCK connector

• carabiner is not indestructible.
  A carabiner is strongest when loaded on the major axis, with the gate closed. Loading a carabiner in any other way (e.g. on the minor axis or with the gate open) is dangerous and can reduce its strength. For more information, see the Technical tips for connectors at Petzl.com.

• Initial adjustment of the dorsal attachment point
  Adjust the position of the dorsal attachment point to suit your body type and size: position it at the level of the shoulder blades. Warning: adjustment of the leg loop-waistbelt linking straps is important if you use the dorsal point.

• Adjustment and suspension test
  Your harness must be adjusted to fit snugly to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a fall. You must move around and hang in the harness from each attachment point, with your equipment, to verify that the harness fits properly, provides adequate comfort for the intended use and that it is optimally adjusted.

Fall-arrest harness

The dorsal and sternal attachment points must be connected to a fall-arrest system that meets current standards. Only these attachment points are to be used for connecting a fall-arrest system, for example a mobile fall arrester, an energy absorber… In a fall, the fall-arrest attachment point elongates (45 cm). This elongation must be taken into account for the clearance calculation. For the clearance calculation, take into account the length of any connectors that will have an effect on the fall distance.

Positioning and travel restraint harness

The ventral attachment point, the sternal attachment point and the side attachment points on the waistbelt are designed to either hold the user in position at a workstation, or to prevent the user from entering an area where a fall is possible. The ventral attachment point and the side attachment points are not designed for fall-arrest usage. Always use the two side attachment points together, by linking them with a positioning lanyard, in order to be comfortably supported by the waistbelt. The lanyard must be kept taut.

CAPTIV connector positioning bar
The CAPTIV positioning bar promotes positioning of the connector along the major axis. Warning: replace the CAPTIV removable bar if you change the connector.

Equipment loops
Equipment loops must only be used for equipment.
WARNING – DANGER: never use equipment loops for belaying, rappelling, tying in, or anchoring a person. The Velcro keeper may be used to hold your mobile fall arrester’s energy absorber in a high position.

Fall-arrest lanyard connector parking

• A. To be used only as lanyard connector parking for unused lanyard ends.
• B. In the event of a fall, the lanyard connector parking releases the lanyard-end connector, to avoid impeding deployment of the energy absorber.

WARNING: this is not a fall-arrest attachment point.

ANSI additional information

• The Instructions for Use must be provided to the user of this equipment.
• The Instructions for Use for each item of equipment used in conjunction with this product must be followed.
• Rescue plan: you must have a rescue plan and the means to rapidly implement it in case of difficulties encountered while using this equipment.
• WARNING: when using multiple items of equipment, a dangerous situation can arise in which the safety function of an item of equipment can be affected by the safety function of another item of equipment.
• WARNING: chemicals, heat, corrosion and ultraviolet light can damage your harness. Contact Petzl if there is any doubt about the condition of this product.
• Be vigilant when working near sources of electricity, moving machinery or abrasive or sharp surfaces.

Additional Information

When to retire your equipment:
WARNING: an exceptional event can lead you to retire a product after only one use, depending on the type and intensity of usage and the environment of usage (harsh environments, marine environments, sharp edges, extreme temperatures, chemicals…).
A product must be retired when:

It is over 10 years old and made of plastic or textiles.

• It has been subjected to a major fall or load.
• It fails to pass inspection. You have any doubt as to its reliability.
• You do not know its full usage history.
• When it becomes obsolete due to changes in legislation, standards, technique or incompatibility with other equipment…

Destroy these products to prevent further use.

Icons:

• A. Lifetime: 10 years –
• B. Marking
• C. Acceptable temperatures
• D. Usage precautions
• E. Cleaning/disinfection
• F. Drying
• G. Storage/transport
• H. Maintenance
• I. Modifications/repairs (prohibited outside of Petzl facilities, except replacement parts)
• J. Questions/contact

3-year guarantee
Against any material or manufacturing defect. Exclusions: normal wear and tear, oxidation, modifications or alterations, incorrect storage, poor maintenance, negligence, uses for which this product is not designed.

Warning symbols

1. Situation presenting an imminent risk of serious injury or death.
2. Exposure to a potential risk of accident or injury.
3. Important information on the functioning or performance of your product.
4. Equipment incompatibility.

Traceability and markings

• a. Number of the notified body responsible for the production control of this PPE
• b. Certification organization
• c. Traceability: datamatrix
• d. Sizing
• e. Serial number
• f. Year of manufacture
• g. Month of manufacture
• h. Batch number
• i. Individual identifier
• j. Standards
• k. Read the Instructions for Use carefully
• l. Model identification
• m. Class (B basic)
• n. Nominal maximum load
• o. Manufacturer address
• p. Date of manufacture (month/year)

Appendix

Appendix A – ANSI
ANSI/ASSP Z359 requirements for proper use and maintenance of full-body harnesses
Note: these are general requirements and information provided by ANSI/ASSP Z359; the manufacturer of this equipment may impose more stringent restrictions on the use of the products they manufacture, see the manufacturer’s instructions.

1. It is essential that the users of this type of equipment receive proper training and instruction, including detailed procedures for the safe use of such equipment in their work application. ANSI/ASSP Z359.2, minimum requirements for a managed fall protection program, establishes guidelines and requirements for an employer’s managed fall protection program, including policies, duties and training, fall protection procedures, eliminating and controlling fall hazards, rescue procedures, incident investigations and evaluating program effectiveness.

2. Correct fit of a full-body harness is essential to proper performance. Users must be trained to select the size and maintain the fit of their full-body harness.

3. Users must follow manufacturer’s instructions for proper fit and sizing, paying particular attention to ensure that buckles are connected and aligned correctly, leg straps and shoulder straps are kept snug at all times, chest straps are located in the middle chest area, and leg straps are positioned and snug to avoid contact with the genitalia should a fall occur.

4. Full-body harnesses that meet ANSI/ASSP Z359.11 are intended to be used with other components of a personal fall-arrest system that limit maximum arrest forces to 1800 pounds (8 kN) or less.

5. Suspension intolerance, also called suspension trauma or orthostatic intolerance, is a serious condition that can be controlled with good harness design, prompt rescue, and postfall suspension relief devices. A conscious user may deploy a suspension relief device allowing the user to remove tension from around the legs, freeing blood flow, which can delay the onset of suspension intolerance. An attachment element extender is not intended to be attached directly to an anchorage or anchorage connector for fall arrest. An energy absorber must be used to limit maximum arrest forces to 1800 pounds (8 kN). The length of the attachment element extender may affect free fall distances and free fall clearance calculations.

6. Full-body harness (FBH) stretch, the amount the FBH component of a personal fall-arrest system will stretch and deform during a fall, can contribute to the overall elongation of the system in stopping a fall. It is important to include the increase in fall distance created by FBH stretch, as well as the FBH connector length, the settling of the user’s body in the FBH, and all other contributing factors when calculating total clearance required for a particular fall-arrest system.

7. When not in use, unused lanyard legs that are still attached to a full-body harness D-ring should not be attached to a work positioning element or any other structural element on the full-body harness unless deemed acceptable by the competent person and manufacturer of the lanyard. This is especially important when using some types of Y-style lanyards, as some [dangerous shock] load may be transmitted to the user through the unused lanyard leg if it is not able to release from the harness. The lanyard parking attachment is generally located in the sternal area to help reduce tripping and entanglement hazards.

8. Loose ends of straps can get caught in machinery or cause accidental disengagement of an adjuster. All full-body harnesses shall include keepers or other components which serve to control the loose ends of straps.

9. Due to the nature of soft loop connections, it is recommended that soft loop attachments only be used to connect with other soft loops or carabiners. Snap hooks should not be used unless approved for the application by the manufacturer.
   Sections 10-16 provide additional information concerning the location and use of various attachments that may be provided on this FBH.

10. Dorsal
    The dorsal attachment element shall be used as the primary fall-arrest attachment, unless the application allows the use of an alternate attachment. The dorsal attachment may also be used for travel restraint or rescue. When supported by the dorsal attachment during a fall, the design of the full-body harness shall direct load through the shoulder straps supporting the user, and around the thighs. Supporting the user, post fall, by the dorsal attachment will result in an upright body position with a slight lean to the front with some slight pressure to the lower chest. Considerations should be made when choosing a sliding versus fixed dorsal attachment element. Sliding dorsal attachments are generally easier to adjust to different user sizes, and allow a more vertical rest position post fall, but can increase FBH stretch.

11. Sternal
    The sternal attachment may be used as an alternative fall-arrest attachment in applications where the dorsal attachment is determined to be inappropriate by a competent person, and where there is no chance to fall in a direction other than feet first. Accepted practical uses for a sternal attachment include, but are not limited to, ladder climbing with a guided type fall arrestor, ladder climbing with an overhead self-retracting lifeline for fall arrest, work positioning, and rope access. The sternal attachment may also be used for travel restraint or rescue. When supported by the sternal attachment during a fall, the design of the full-body harness shall direct load through the shoulder straps supporting the user, and around the thighs. Supporting the user, post fall, by the sternal attachment will result in roughly a sitting or cradled body position with weight concentrated on the thighs, buttocks and lower back. Supporting the user during work positioning by the sternal attachment will result in an approximate upright body position. If the sternal attachment is used for fall arrest, the competent person evaluating the application should take measures to ensure that a fall can only occur feet first. This may include limiting the allowable free fall distance. It may be possible for a sternal attachment incorporated into an adjustable style chest strap to cause the chest strap to slide up and possibly choke the user during a fall, extraction, suspension… The competent person should consider full-body harness models with a fixed sternal attachment for these applications.

12. Ventral
    The frontal attachment serves as a ladder climbing connection for guided type fall arrestors where there is no chance to fall in a direction other than feet first, or may be used for work positioning. Supporting the user, post fall or during work positioning, by the frontal attachment will result in a sitting body position, with the upper torso upright, with weight concentrated on the thighs and buttocks. When supported by the frontal attachment, the design of the full-body harness shall direct load directly around the thighs and under the buttocks by means of the sub-pelvic strap. If the frontal attachment is used for fall arrest, the competent person evaluating the application should take measures to ensure that a fall can only occur feet first. This may include limiting the allowable free fall distance.

13. Shoulder Straps
    The shoulder attachment elements shall be used as a pair, and are an acceptable attachment for rescue, and entry/retrieval. The shoulder attachment elements shall not be used for fall arrest. It is recommended that the shoulder attachment elements be used in conjunction with a yoke which incorporates a spreader element to keep the full-body harness shoulder straps separated.

14. Waist, rear
    The waist, rear attachment shall be used solely for travel restraint. The waist, rear attachment element shall not be used for fall arrest. Under no circumstances is it acceptable to use the waist, rear attachment for purposes other than travel restraint. The waist, rear attachment shall only be subjected to minimal loading through the waist of the user, and shall never be used to support the full weight of the user.

15. Side
    The hip attachment elements shall be used as a pair, and shall be used solely for work positioning. The hip attachment elements shall not be used for fall arrest. Hip attachments are often used for work positioning by arborists, utility workers climbing poles, and construction workers tying rebar and climbing on form walls. Users are cautioned against using the hip attachment elements (or any other rigid point on the full-body harness) to store the unused end of a fall-arrest lanyard, as doing so may cause a tripping hazard, or, in the case of a multipleleg lanyard, could cause adverse loading to the full-body harness and the wearer through the unused portion of the lanyard.

16. Suspension seat
    The suspension seat attachment elements shall be used as a pair, and shall be used solely for work positioning. The suspension seat attachment elements shall not be used for fall arrest. Suspension seat attachments are often used for prolonged work activities where the user is suspended, allowing the user to sit on the suspension seat formed between the two attachment elements. An example of this use would be window washers on large buildings.

USER INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE OF EQUIPMENT
Users of personal fall-arrest systems shall, at a minimum, comply with all manufacturer instructions regarding the inspection, maintenance and storage of the equipment. The user’s organization shall retain the manufacturer’s instructions and make them readily available to all users. See ANSI/ASSP Z359.2, Minimum requirements for a managed fall protection program regarding user inspection, maintenance and storage of equipment.

1. In addition to the inspection requirements set forth in the manufacturer’s instructions, the equipment shall be inspected by the user before each use and, additionally, by a competent person, other than the user, at interval of no more than one year for:
   • absence or illegibility of markings
   • absence of any elements affecting the equipment form, fit or function
   • evidence of defects in or damage to hardware elements including cracks, sharp edges, deformation, corrosion, damage from chemicals, excessive heating, alteration and excessive wear
   • evidence of defects in or damage to strap or ropes including fraying, unsplicing, unlaying, kinking, knotting, roping, broken or pulled stitches, excessive elongation, chemical attack, excessive soiling, abrasion, alteration, needed or excessive lubrication, excessive aging and excessive wear
2. Inspection criteria for the equipment shall be set by the user’s organization. Such criteria for the equipment shall equal or exceed the criteria established by the ANSI/ASSP Z359 standard or the manufacturer’s instructions, whichever is greater.
3. When inspection reveals defects in, damage to, or inadequate maintenance of equipment, the equipment shall be permanently removed from service or undergo adequate corrective maintenance, by the original equipment manufacturer or their designate, before return to service.

Maintenance and storage

1. Maintenance and storage of equipment shall be conducted by the user’s organization in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Unique issues, which may arise due to conditions of use, shall be addressed with the manufacturer.
2. Equipment which is in need of, or scheduled for maintenance shall be tagged as “unusable” and removed from service.
3. Equipment shall be stored in a manner as to preclude damage from environmental factors such as temperature, light, UV, excessive moisture, oil, chemicals and their vapors or other degrading elements.

PLIZL
FR-38920 Crolles
Cidex 105A
PETZL.COM
ISO 9001
© Petzl

References

• Petzl.com

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