Are body belts acceptable for fall protection when used alone?

Body belts are not acceptable for fall protection when used alone because they do not provide adequate support and safety for a person in a fall event. A body belt, which is designed primarily for positioning rather than fall protection, can lead to serious injury or incapacitation if a fall occurs since it doesn't distribute the forces of a fall properly across the body.

In contrast, harnesses specifically designed for fall protection are equipped to mitigate the impact of a fall across multiple points, thus enhancing safety. These harnesses can be attached to a lanyard or fall arrest system, which ensures that when a fall occurs, the person's descent is arrested effectively, minimizing the risk of injury. For these reasons, using body belts alone for fall protection does not meet safety standards and best practices in industries where fall hazards are present.