Riders held in by over-the-shoulder restraints. Over-the-shoulder restraints (often abbreviated to OTSRs) are U-shaped restraints which swing down from behind the rider's head to secure the torso. Some also have a belt, which secures the bottom of the restraint to the seat, passing between the rider's legs.

The primary safety system on a roller coaster is officially known as a restraint, but the specific type depends on the ride's intensity. The most common "harness" seen on looping coasters is the Over-the-Shoulder Restraint (OTSR), which secures the rider's torso to prevent ejection during inversions. On high-speed non-looping coasters, you will often find Lap Bars (or T-bars), which secure you at the hips to provide a sense of "airtime." In 2026, many newer "thrill" coasters utilize Vest Harnesses, which are flexible, fabric-like restraints that offer the security of an OTSR without the uncomfortable "head-banging" against hard foam. These systems are often paired with a secondary Seat Belt for redundancy. All these components form the "Occupant Containment System," engineered to accommodate a wide range of body types while keeping riders safely locked in against extreme G-forces and negative gravity.