What is a significant risk of not using a harness when working at heights?

When working at heights, the absence of a harness significantly heightens the risk of falls and injuries. Harnesses are critical personal protective equipment designed to secure a worker to an anchorage point, thereby preventing falls from elevations. In the event of a slip or loss of balance, a harness acts to catch the individual, reducing the likelihood of serious injuries, which can include fractures, concussions, and potentially fatal outcomes.

The implications of not wearing a harness extend beyond personal safety and impact workplace safety culture as a whole. Organizations that prioritize harnesses and other safety protocols demonstrate a commitment to protecting their employees, which can enhance morale and promote a safer working environment.

Other options suggest different concerns that, while potentially relevant to workplace safety, do not directly address the primary risk involved when working at heights. For instance, a decrease in work speed may be an issue due to additional safety protocols but does not carry the immediate, life-threatening implications that falls do. Similarly, less supervision or equipment failures, while valid concerns, do not specifically correlate with the critical need for personal fall protection when working at elevated levels. The focus should always remain on fall prevention as it directly relates to the safety and well-being of workers engaged in such high-risk activities.