MSA V-FLEX Instructions D'utilisation Et De Maintenance page 25

P/N 10203687
Do the steps in Figures 1A through 1C to don and adjust the harness. Adjust the back D-ring to put it in position between your shoulder blades (Figure 3). Make sure that the sternal and dorsal
connections are in the correct positions. Make sure that the free end of the adjusting strap extends at least 3 in. (8 cm) beyond the adjusting buckle. Put the free end of the webbing in the keeper and
below the thigh strap at the hip. Do NOT connect the right thigh strap to the left thigh, or vice versa. Make sure that the harness straps are not twisted and are flat against the thighs. Make sure that the
fit of the harness is tight. Make sure that all connectors are closed and locked before use. During use, regularly make sure that fastening and adjustment elements are connected and adjusted correctly.
A fall arrest system must include an SRL (EN 360) or lanyard with energy absorber (EN 354, EN 355) and a connector (EN 362). Maximum length of a lanyard with energy absorber (A, L) shall be 2 m
(Figures 8, 9). MSA full-body harnesses can include an integral D-ring extender (Figure 9B). Make sure to include the length (B) of the D-ring extender (shown on the product) in the calculation for fall
clearance (H, D) (Figure 8).
Do NOT use the harness in environments where the temperature is less than -40ºC or more than 50ºC. Frequently clean harnesses with Quick-Connect buckles that are used in dusty environments.
In dusty environments, small particles can collect and prevent correct operation of the buckle.
To monitor harness usage, MSA recommends that each harness be given to one specified user. Keep these instructions and the Individual Protective Equipment Record Card with the harness.
MSA certifies that this product has been fully inspected and conforms to the full requirements and specifications of the standards indicated on the product. This product meets the requirements of
Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment.
This harness is compliant with EN 361. Make sure that all components connected to the harness are compatible. MSA recommends that only approved MSA components be used with the harness. For
information about component compatibility, refer to EN 354 and EN 355 for the integral lanyard with energy absorber, and EN 358 for the work-positioning lanyard. Obey all instructions and warnings
for components used with the harness.
Not every full-body harness sold with these user instructions has all of the features shown. Identify which features are included with the product you purchased by checking the label (Figure 14), and
obey the applicable instructions. The load capacity of the harness when used for fall arrest or rescue or when used for restraint or work positioning is 140 kg.
It is the user's responsibility to know the contents of this manual and to get training before using the harness. Make sure that you have had sufficient training and fully know how to use the harness
safely. It is necessary for users to have good medical fitness to do work at a height. Some medical conditions can prevent safe use of the harness. In you have any doubt, consult a physician before
you use the harness. Children less than 18 years of age and pregnant women must NEVER use the harness.
Suspension intolerance, also referred to as suspension trauma or orthostatic intolerance, is a serious condition. Prompt rescue and the use of post fall suspension relief devices can help to decrease
the risk of suspension intolerance. The user must have a rescue plan and the equipment and specific training necessary to make the rescue as fast as possible under all foreseeable conditions.
The harness is intended to protect the wearer from free falls from height. Use the harness only for its intended purpose and within its limitations. Obey the limits of the harness. Check to ensure that
the energy absorbing elements (EN 355, EN 360, etc.) are approved for a maximum load of 140 kg. Only use the integral lanyard with an energy absorber. If there is any doubt about the condition of
the harness for safe use, immediately remove the harness from service. A full-body harness is the only approved body-holding device that can be used in a fall-arrest system. As specified by EN 353-1,
EN 353-2, EN 355, and EN 360, a fall-arrest system must only be connected to the back D-ring (Figure 5C) or front D-ring (Figure 6A) with the fall-arrest marking "A" or "A/2". Do NOT use the hip D-ring
or center back waist D-ring (Figure 7 or 18) for fall arrest or climbing protection. Only use the center back waist D-ring for restraint (Figure 18). Only use the hip D-ring (Figure 7) to connect a work-
positioning system (refer to EN 358). For work-positioning applications, always use both hip D-rings together, and use a separate fall-arrest system. Keep the anchorage point of the work-positioning
lanyard in position at or above waist level (Figures 7A/7B). For sit harness usage, the connection points of the saddle need to be used always as a pair and are not for fall arrest. A separate fall arrest
connection is mandatory (Figure 19). Make sure that tension on the lanyard is tight, and movement has a limit of 0.6 m.
To decrease the risk of pendulum (swing) falls, when possible, attach the fall-arrest system at an anchorage point directly above the user's position (Figure 17). Use structural anchors specified by
EN 795 or anchorage points with a minimum strength of 12 kN.
The harness is intended to be worn during normal working activities. To make sure that the size (Figures 4A/4B), fit adjustment (Figures 10, 12, 13), and comfort level are correct for the intended use,
MSA recommends that the user do a suspension test in a safe area before using the harness in working conditions. Examine the harness before each use. Examine the harness straps for cuts, fraying,
abrasion, too much wear, changed or missing straps, burns, and exposure to ultraviolet, heat, or chemicals. Examine the stitching for pulled, loose, torn, or broken threads. Examine the legibility of
the product markings. Examine the hardware for deformation, cracks, corrosion, deep pitting, burrs, sharp edges, cuts, nicks, exposure to chemicals or too much heat, or other damage. Make sure
that both pawls on the buckle can engage and operate smoothly. The adjuster and fastening elements must be checked on a regular basis. If the harness shows any signs of damage, wear, or aging,
immediately remove it from service.
A person who is competent in the examination of harnesses, other than the user, must do periodic examinations in accordance with MSA instructions at least once a year.
Immediately remove damaged equipment from service and tag it "UNUSABLE". For all corrective maintenance, such as the replacement of elements, contact MSA. Do NOT try to repair equipment in
the field.
To prevent collision with structures or the ground when a subsystem such as a lanyard or self-retracting lanyard is used, refer to the specific recommendations given with the subsystem (Figure 8). The
space underneath the working area needs to be free of obstacles which could be hit during a fall or swing after fall arrest.
Examine the fall-arrest load indicator before each use. Make sure that the stitches through the fold are not loose, torn, or broken. If the fall-arrest load indicator has loose, torn, or broken stitches,
remove the harness from service immediately. Some harnesses have a load indicator label that shows when the fall-arrest load indicator has been deployed (Figure 2). If the load indicator label shows,
remove the harness from service immediately. Do NOT use a harness with broken or pulled stitches in the fall-arrest load indicator. Broken or pulled stitches in the fall-arrest load indicator are signs of
damage from fall-arrest forces or environmental conditions.
The fall-arrest load indicator is only activated when it is attached to the back D-ring. Because of the nature of some fall-arrest events, it is possible that the fall-arrest load indicator will not deploy. If
fall-arrest forces are applied to the harness, remove it from service even if the fall-arrest load indicator does not deploy.
For the safety of the user, if the product is re-sold outside the original country of destination, the reseller must give these instructions and additional relevant information for use, maintenance, periodic
inspection, and repair in the language of the country where the product will be used.
Chemicals, heat, and corrosion can cause damage to the harness. Use caution when working around sharp edges, this can damage the harness. Examine the harness for damage more frequently
when it is used in an environment with these conditions. Do NOT use the harness near machinery that is in operation, dangerous electrical conditions, abrasive surfaces, open flame, or molten metal.
Do NOT make unauthorized repairs, modifications, alterations, or additions to the harness.
Failure to obey these warnings can result in serious injury or death.
The straps of the full-body harness are made from polyester, nylon, or other multifilament synthetic fibers. All load-bearing hardware is zinc-plated alloy steel or aluminum alloy.
Clean the harness in a solution of warm water and mild laundry detergent. Use a clean cloth to dry the hardware. Hang the harness to air-dry. Do NOT speed-dry the harness with heat. Do NOT let dirt,
paint, or other debris collect on the harness. These elements can weaken the webbing of the straps and prevent correct operation of the harness. To clean the buckles, use a cotton swab to remove
debris from the inner parts. In dusty environments, flush the buckle with clean water to remove small particles that can prevent correct operation. Use a clean cloth to dry the outer parts of the buckle.
Let the inner parts of the buckle air-dry. To make sure that the Quick-Connect buckles operate smoothly, apply a light, penetrating oil to the locking tabs. Use a clean cloth to remove the remaining oil.
During storage and transport, keep the harness away from moisture, chemicals and their vapors, very high or low temperatures, and ultraviolet rays. Keep the harness in an area that is clean, cool,
dry, and away from direct sunlight. Do NOT keep the harness in areas where heat, moisture, light, oil, and chemicals or their vapors can cause damage. Keep serviceable equipment isolated from
unserviceable equipment. Only put equipment that is clean, dry, and serviceable in storage. Keep the buckles connected while the harness is in storage. MSA recommends that a person approved by
current legislation in the country of use examine equipment that is kept in storage for long periods before use.
The maximum life span of the product is 10 years after its initial use is recorded on the Individual Protective Equipment Record Card. The primary indicator of fitness for use is regular inspection of the
product. Immediately remove any product that does not meet the inspection requirements from service regardless of its age.
Incorrect storage, incorrect use, wear and tear, contact with chemicals (acids and alkalis), and exposure to high temperatures and UV radiation decrease the performance of the product and its life
span. In these conditions, do inspections more frequently.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
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