DeWalt Fall Protection Compliance Kit

First impressions and what’s in the bag

I tossed the DeWalt kit in the truck for a week of roof maintenance and mezzanine work to see how it holds up as an all-in-one solution. Out of the box, the setup is straightforward: a full-body harness, a six-foot energy-absorbing lanyard, a three-foot web anchor strap, and a zippered gear bag with a rigid bottom. It’s a basic, compliant package designed to get you tied off quickly without hunting for compatible pieces.

Build quality is immediately apparent. The polyester webbing has a stout hand with a repellant finish that sheds grime and moisture better than the typical dull, fuzzy harnesses I’ve abused over the years. Hardware is plated steel—no mystery alloys—and the stitching is clean and redundant in high-load areas. The hardware scuffs with use, as expected, but there’s no flaking or rust blooms after wet mornings. The bag is a nice touch: not fancy, but the zipper and floor are durable enough to keep the harness from snagging on everything else in the back of the van.

Harness fit and adjustment

The harness is “universal” with five points of adjustment and tongue-buckle leg straps. The chest strap is a pass-through style. I prefer tongue-buckle legs for their positive feel and repeatable sizing, and that holds true here. Out of the bag, you’ll spend a few minutes sorting webbing, dialing in torso length, and squaring up the chest strap height. The harness arrived with the D-ring set a bit low; pulling the shoulder adjusters up to center the dorsal ring between the shoulder blades improved both comfort and function.

Once set, the harness sits comfortably without pinching. The webbing edges are finished well and didn’t saw into my neck or hips when layered over a jacket. Slack keepers are present and do their job; I wasn’t chasing flapping tails in the wind. One practical tip: do a proper “donning” on the ground the first time you use it and mark your leg and chest strap holes with a silver marker for your typical clothing layers. That makes subsequent suit-up much faster.

If you’re new to harnesses, expect a small learning curve to get the straps routed correctly and the load points sitting where they should. It’s manageable solo, but having a second set of eyes the first time helps catch twists and confirm the dorsal D-ring is placed correctly.

The lanyard: lighter and less bulky than old-school shock packs

The included six-foot lanyard uses an integrated energy absorber rather than a bulky external shock pack. That keeps weight down and reduces the “brick” hanging off your back. The snaphooks latch securely with predictable gates, and the webbing transitions are well-stitched. In use, it’s pleasantly unobtrusive—enough slack for typical roof walks and ladder transitions without constant tugging. Because it’s a traditional six-footer, be realistic about fall clearance. With a dorsal connection, elongation from the energy absorber, and body stretch, many scenarios need on the order of 17–18 feet of clear space below. That’s true of most comparable lanyards, not a knock on this one, but it’s something to plan around. For work with limited clearance or where you’re near edges that require special gear, a self-retracting lifeline or leading-edge-rated system is the better tool.

The anchor strap: simple, strong, and situational

The three-foot web anchor strap is tough and easy to deploy around overhead beams, rated anchors, or engineered roof points. In steel and timber environments, it’s a versatile piece of kit. Around abrasive or sharp edges, you’ll still need edge protection; that’s not unique to this strap, just good practice. On residential roofing, I often prefer a fixed ridge anchor, but the strap does cover a lot of situations as long as you can find a qualified structural member. The hardware is appropriately stout, and the strap stitches are clean and layered.

Comfort and mobility on the job

Over multiple sessions, the harness stayed comfortable for a few hours at a time. The leg straps distribute load well, and the chest strap holds position without creeping up. The dorsal D-ring sits where it should once you’ve set the shoulder length. I didn’t feel restricted while climbing ladders, working a 6/12 pitch, or crouching to set fasteners. The webbing’s repellant finish helps with both durability and comfort; it doesn’t sponge up water and mud, and it wipes clean easily.

I appreciate that the kit is rated to 310 lbs for the harness and lanyard, covering a wide range of users and tool loads. The labeling is clear, including standards marks and a spot for inspection notes, which makes compliance and recordkeeping simpler. Nothing about this harness felt flimsy—it’s confidently built without being oversized or stiff.

Compliance and documentation

The system carries ANSI Z359.11 (harness) and Z359.3 (lanyard/connecting) markings and aligns with OSHA 1910.140 and 1926.502. That checks the right boxes for most jobsite safety plans I encounter. The instructions are serviceable and cover the basics: donning, inspection points, storage, and general use. As always, the documentation isn’t a substitute for a competent person’s assessment of the anchor, fall clearance, and rescue plan, but the kit doesn’t hide any surprises.

Durability and maintenance

After getting rained on and tossed back in the bag a few times, the webbing hasn’t fuzzed up, and the hardware hasn’t developed rough spots. Stitching remains tight with no pulled threads. The plated steel buckles pick up cosmetic scrapes quickly—par for the course—but function smoothly. The storage bag earns its keep: the rigid bottom keeps hooks from punching through, and the zipper hasn’t jammed with grit. Packed with the harness, lanyard, and strap, there’s still room for gloves and a small anchor bracket. My only nit is the carry handle; with the full kit inside, the grip can dig into your hand on longer carries. A padded wrap would be a nice upgrade.

Where this kit shines (and where it doesn’t)

Strengths:
- Solid, compliant components with thoughtful material choices
- Lighter, less bulky lanyard thanks to the integrated energy absorber
- Tongue-buckle leg straps and pass-through chest buckle strike a good balance of speed and security
- Webbing finish resists water and grime, aiding comfort and longevity
- Useful, durable storage bag that actually gets used
- Clear labeling and a 2-year warranty

Limitations:
- Initial fit-up takes a few minutes; not a true grab-and-go the first time
- “Universal” sizing works for most, but very small or very large users may struggle to find a perfect dial-in
- A six-foot lanyard isn’t ideal for low-clearance environments; plan on an SRL for those tasks
- The anchor strap is versatile, but not a substitute for an engineered anchor where required
- No quick-connect buckles; if you’re used to them, you’ll miss the speed

Who it’s for

If you’re a general contractor, roofer, or facilities tech who needs a compliant personal fall arrest system you can deploy across typical elevated tasks—roof work, mezzanine edges, fixed-ladder transitions—this kit is a practical, no-nonsense option. It’s also a smart spare set for visitors or temporary workers who need to be tied off without sorting through a bin of mismatched gear. If your work regularly involves low clearances, sharp leading edges, or specialty rescue scenarios, this belongs in your lineup, but you’ll supplement it with task-specific gear.

The bottom line

The DeWalt kit does the fundamentals right: strong materials, consistent hardware, a comfortable harness once adjusted, and a lanyard that trims bulk without sacrificing function. It meets the standards it should and arrives in a bag you’ll actually use. The learning curve for fit is real, but short, and the six-foot connector is a known quantity with known limitations. After using it across a week of height work, I came away confident in its build and ergonomics.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit as a reliable, compliant starter system for everyday fall protection needs. It’s well-built, comfortable once set, and thoughtfully packaged. Pair it with the right anchors and, where needed, an SRL for low-clearance work, and you’ll have a dependable, flexible setup that covers the bulk of common jobsite scenarios without overspending.