When did it become prohibited to use a body belt for fall arrest?

The prohibition of using a body belt for fall arrest was established in 1998. This change was a significant advancement in fall protection standards aimed at enhancing worker safety on construction sites. The body belt, previously used for fall arrest, posed serious risks, as it did not provide adequate support or protection during a fall. Instead, full-body harnesses became the required safety gear, as they distribute the forces of a fall across the body more effectively and reduce the chance of injury. The 1998 regulation emphasized the importance of using equipment designed specifically for fall protection, reinforcing a commitment to creating safer work environments in the construction industry.