A personal positioning system is required if a worker must be held in place while
his hands are free to work. OSHA defines a positioning device system as ". . . a
body belt or harness system rigged to allow an employee to be supported on an elevated vertical
surface, such as a wall, and work with both hands free while leaning." If there
is risk of a worker falling from an elevated position, (generally, six feet or more), personal
fall-arrest protection must also be used.
The worker depicted in the figure at right is utilizing both a personal positioning system and a
personal fall-arrest system. Each system has its own A-B-C components.
Since the worker's job requires that both hands be free, he is using a personal positioning
system. The (A) component of the personal positioning system is the vertical support that serves as
a positioning anchorage. Positioning anchorages must be capable of supporting at least twice the
potential impact load of a worker's fall or 3,000 Ibs. (13.3 kN), whichever is greater. The (B)
component of the personal positioning system is the worker's full-body harness which is
equipped with a O-ring at each side for attaching a positioning connecting device. The (C)
component of the personal positioning system is the positioning lanyard which is equipped with a
locking snap-hook at each end. Positioning connecting devices must be rigged so that a worker
cannot free fall more than 2 feet.  
Also, since the worker is at risk of falling, he is also using a personal fall-arrest system. For the fall-arrest
system, the (A) component is the pole structure, the (B) component is the full-body harness with
rear O-ring, and the (C) component is the rope lanyard with attached deceleration unit.
In some cases, fall-arrest protection is not possible when using a personal positioning system. For
example, a worker building highway pillars or similar structures may have no overhead anchorages
available. In these situations, alternative fall-arrest protection devices, such as safety nets,
must be used.
A positioning system is an active system and is in use whenever the worker leans back. The
positioning body wear provides solid midriff support, leaving the worker's hands free to get
the job done.
Remember, a positioning system is only designed to help hold a worker in place while leaving his
hands free to work. When used in conjunction with a fixed anchorage, the positioning system can
help prevent a fall. However, positioning equipment is NEVER a replacement for fall-arrest
protection. A positioning system must be used only for the positioning assistance for which it was
designed. It must not be relied upon to provide fall-arrest or any other kind of protection. Always
use the independent fall-arrest features of a positioning harness. NOTE: Klein
positioning harnesses provide a rear O-ring which must be used for fall-arrest
protection.
The following linked pages show the full line of Klien Fall-Arrest and Positioning
System components:
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