Kratos Akros 1 Full Body Harness - Automatic Buckles with Dorsal and Sternal D-Rings

Kratos Akros 1 Full Body Harness

The Kratos Akros 1 is a 2-point full body harness designed for professionals working at height on construction sites, scaffolding, aerial lifts, and industrial structures. Two fall arrest attachment points, a dorsal D-ring on the back and a sternal D-ring on the chest strap, give the operative and their supervisor flexibility to select the correct connection point for the specific application without needing a different harness.

What separates the Akros 1 from basic harnesses in the same category is the combination of automatic buckles on the thigh and chest straps, dual-colour webbing to differentiate shoulder and thigh straps, and an ergonomically positioned sit-strap for extended wear. These are not cosmetic features. On a busy site where operatives are donning and removing harnesses multiple times a day, automatic buckles reduce donning time, the colour coding reduces incorrect fitting, and a comfortable sit-strap reduces fatigue during suspension. Certified to EN 361:2002 and rated for users up to 140kg.

This body harness is for frequent use.

Why Choose the Kratos Akros 1 Full Body Harness

• Automatic buckles on thigh and chest straps: faster to put on correctly than manual buckle equivalents, reducing the risk of an operative rushing the fitting process and missing an adjustment.

• Dorsal and sternal D-rings: the dorsal D-ring covers standard fall arrest connections. The sternal D-ring is the correct attachment point for certain retractable fall arresters, aerial lift applications, and where a more upright post-fall suspension position is required.

• Dual-colour webbing: shoulder and thigh straps are visually differentiated by colour, making correct donning faster and reducing misfit errors, particularly for operatives new to harness use.

• Ergonomic sit-strap: positioned to distribute suspension load across the upper thighs rather than concentrating it at the groin, which reduces discomfort and suspension trauma risk during prolonged hang time following a fall arrest.

• Fully adjustable: shoulder and thigh straps adjust across the full S-L size range, accommodating different body shapes and the added bulk of winter site clothing.

What's Included

One Kratos Akros 1 full body harness in size S-L with dorsal D-ring, sternal D-ring, automatic buckles on thigh and chest straps, and integrated sit-strap.

 Specifications

Compatibility

Who Is This For?

Construction operatives, scaffolders, steel erectors, maintenance engineers, and aerial lift operators who need a reliable, comfortable full body harness for regular work at height. Specified by safety managers and procurement teams for sites where quick, correct donning is as important as the harness specification itself.

Typical Applications

• Scaffolding erection and dismantling with connection to scaffold structure

• Aerial lift and cherry picker operations requiring sternal or dorsal connection

• Construction work on facades, elevated slabs, and structural steelwork

• Fixed ladder access and mast climbing

• Inclined plane and horizontal surface work

• General work at height on construction and industrial sites

How frequently do I use my harness?

How to Use

1. Hold the harness by the dorsal D-ring and shake it out to ensure no straps are twisted.

2. Identify shoulder and thigh straps using the dual-colour coding before putting the harness on.

3. Slip the shoulder straps on and connect the chest strap automatic buckle across the sternum.

4. Pull each thigh strap under the leg and connect the automatic buckle. Confirm both are clicked and locked.

5. Adjust shoulder and thigh straps so the harness sits snugly. The dorsal D-ring should sit between the shoulder blades, not at the neck or lower back.

6. Connect the fall arrest lanyard or retractable device to the appropriate D-ring for your application before approaching the fall risk area.

7. Before each use, check all buckles are locked, all straps are routed correctly, and no webbing is twisted, frayed, or contaminated.

Which size do I need? How heavy am I? 

The chart hereunder indicates the body s measures. For the wearing of a harness over clothing, the harness adjustments allow to obtain the right size.

Which attachments do I need?

Attachments points:

Safety and Maintenance

Before every use:

• Inspect all webbing for cuts, abrasion, chemical staining, heat damage, and UV degradation

• Check both D-rings for deformation, cracks, and corrosion

• Confirm all automatic buckles open, close, and lock without stiffness or play

• Verify the harness has a valid inspection record

During use:

• Never connect a fall arrest device to any point other than the dorsal or sternal D-ring

• Never use the harness as a work positioning device without a separate EN 358 belt

• Do not exceed 140kg total user weight including all tools and equipment

After use and storage:

• Clean with mild soap and warm water if contaminated, dry naturally away from direct heat

• Store away from UV, chemicals, sharp objects, and heat sources

• Annual formal inspection by a competent person required under PUWER

• Withdraw from service immediately after any fall arrest event 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is EN 361:2002 and why does it matter?

 A: EN 361:2002 is the European standard for full body harnesses used as fall arrest equipment. It requires that attachment points have a static strength above 15kN and that the harness keeps the user in a safe upright position following a fall arrest. On any UK construction site, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 require that fall arrest equipment conforms to relevant standards. UKCA marking confirms the harness meets UK conformity requirements post-Brexit.

Q: When should I use the sternal D-ring rather than the dorsal D-ring?

 A: The dorsal D-ring is the standard connection point for most fall arrest applications including retractable fall arresters and energy absorbing lanyards used from an overhead anchor. The sternal D-ring is used for certain aerial lift and cherry picker applications, for retractable devices where the manufacturer specifies a sternal connection, and where a more upright post-fall suspension position is required. Always check the fall arrest device manufacturer's instructions to confirm which attachment point is correct for your specific combination of harness and device.

Q: Why do automatic buckles matter on a construction site harness?

 A: Manual buckle harnesses require the operative to thread and adjust each strap individually, which takes longer and creates more opportunity for incorrect adjustment, particularly under time pressure. Automatic buckles click shut in one action and release in one deliberate movement. Combined with the dual-colour strap coding on the Akros 1, the donning process is faster and more reliable, which directly reduces the risk of an operative starting work with an incorrectly fitted harness.

Q: What does the sit-strap do and why does it matter?

 A: The sit-strap is the webbing that runs under the upper thighs. In a fall arrest situation, the harness catches the user by transmitting load through the shoulder straps and the sit-strap simultaneously. A correctly positioned sit-strap distributes that load across the upper thighs rather than concentrating it at the groin, which reduces the risk of suspension trauma during the period between fall arrest and rescue. On any site where a fall arrest might result in the operative hanging in suspension for more than a few minutes, sit-strap design and positioning is a meaningful safety consideration.

Q: What size is the S-L harness and is it suitable for use over bulky site clothing?

 A: The S-L size covers chest measurements from approximately 75cm to 120cm and heights from 150cm to 190cm. The fully adjustable shoulder and thigh straps allow the harness to be let out to accommodate the additional bulk of winter site clothing, waterproofs, and hi-vis jackets. If the user is at the upper end of the S-L size range or regularly wears particularly bulky clothing, the L-XXL variant should be considered.

Q: Can this harness be used for work positioning as well as fall arrest?

 A: No. The Akros 1 is certified to EN 361 for fall arrest only. Work positioning, where the operative leans back against the lanyard to work hands-free, requires a separate EN 358 work positioning belt. The Akros 1 does not include a belt or lateral attachment points. If both fall arrest and work positioning are required on the same task, specify a harness with combined EN 361 and EN 358 certification and lateral D-rings.

Q: Why order from CMT Group?

 A: CMT Group has supplied height safety PPE to UK construction sites since 2010, with a fleet of over 100 FORS Silver accredited vehicles covering 90% of the UK mainland. The Kratos Akros 1 Full Body Harness is available for next working day delivery on orders placed by 7pm. CMT is a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier. Trade accounts, volume pricing, and EDGE portal access are available for safety managers and procurement teams ordering PPE across multiple projects.