What is the purpose of a body belt in fall protection?

The purpose of a body belt in fall protection is primarily to provide support without being the primary means of fall arrest. While body belts do offer some level of support, they are not equipped to adequately arrest a fall and can potentially lead to serious injury if used in such a manner. Consequently, full body harnesses are preferred because they distribute the forces exerted during a fall across a greater area of the body, thus reducing the risk of injury.

Using a body belt alone for fall arrest is not recommended, as it can lead to situations where the wearer may experience increased risk, such as falling into a state known as "suspension trauma" if they are left hanging after a fall. In contrast, full body harnesses are designed specifically to mitigate these risks and provide the necessary protections during work at heights.

Ultimately, understanding that body belts are meant for support but not for fall arrest is critical for ensuring safety during telecommunications work on towers or similar environments.