OSHA Fall Protection Equipment Inspections for Systems, Harnesses, Lanyards and SRL's
OSHA fall protection equipment inspection guidelines require that employers perform regular equipment inspections on lifelines, harnesses, lanyards, and SRL's to ensure that their gear is up to date and compliant with the proper safety standards. Fall protection equipment should be personally inspected before each use and at least once a year by a jobsite Competent Person (or more frequently if required by the manufacturer).
Whether it be from heavy usage or exposure to harsh conditions, fall protection equipment can become damaged or worn to the point that it is no longer safe for use. This can include rips, tears, bent hooks and latches, corrosion or any other defects. Also, if equipment is stored in an improper environment it can start to deteriorate due to mildew, pests, and other hazards that it might encounter. Inspecting the integrity and function of your fall protection equipment before use gives you the opportunity to remove from service any equipment that does not pass the manufacturer’s requirements and to avoid any equipment failure in the event of a fall.
EFP's trained personnel conduct on-site equipment inspections and provide clients with a detailed report showing which equipment passes or fails the inspections related to the manufacturer's requirements and up to date OSHA guidelines.
Schedule your inspection with EFP to make sure your equipment is up to date and is meeting fall protection inspection requirements!
Fall Protection Harness Inspection
A safety harness inspection should be personally conducted before each use. When inspecting your harness look for stitching that may be broken, burned or pulled and stitching or rivets at hardware attachment points. Closely examine all webbing, belt ends, buckles and D-Rings. These few minutes could save your life. EFP provides harness inspections for all major brands including DBI Sala, Guardian, and Miller.
(SRL) Self Retracting Lifeline Inspection
SRLs (self-retracting lifelines) (SRLs) need a little more attention than other pieces of fall protection equipment during an inspection since many of their components are hidden from view. Springs, brake pawls, pressure plates, and even the cable or web assembly itself are all contained inside of the housing. Be sure to check that all labels and markings are intact and legible and look for evidence of any damage to the housing, lifeline and connectors.
ANSI states, “All fall protection shall be inspected at least every six months by a Competent Person,” however, it is highly recommended that each user complete a fall protection system inspection at the beginning of every workday
Horizontal Lifeline Safety Inspection
Most of the time, when equipment fails, it is due to lack of proper maintenance or inspection. Horizontal lifeline systems must be tagged out and inspected immediately after a fall but as with any equipment, horizontal lifelines also require routine inspections and maintenance.
Below are some common, but not all, horizontal lifeline inspection requirements:
- Inspect all screw, bolts.
- Look for deterioration of the metal components.
- Ropes should be inspected for broken wires or thread and for any other obvious damage.
- Inspect all sleeves and connectors for damage and proper installation.
- If the system’s impact detection indicates that the lifeline was involved in a fall remove it from service immediately.
Vertical Lifeline Safety Inspection
Vertical lifeline system equipment should be inspected regularly. Fall protection system inspections should be done according to the manufacturers’ instructions before each use. Verify that the system has been formally inspected within the last year by a jobsite Competent Person or by a “Competent Person” other than the user who has been certified by OSHA standards for this function.
Inspections of vertical lifeline equipment are not limited to, but should include:
- Inspection of the vertical lifeline, ladder structure, and body harness
- Making sure are labels and markings are present and legible
- Inspection of any brackets, cables, cable guides and fasteners
- Safety sleeve inspection
A formal inspection of the entire system must be performed by a Competent Person other than the user if a fall occurs with the ladder safety sleeve or on the system and the entire system must be locked out.
Rigid Lifeline Inspections
Rigid rail fall arrest systems also require annual inspection. As with vertical and horizontal lifelines, the system must be tagged out and inspected immediately after a fall. The trolley and welds, bolt connections and any signs of impact are inspected.
OSHA Fall Protection Inspection Requirements
Inspection Requirements and Summary by Standard/Regulation. The information identified in the regulations or standards listed below address inspections as follows:
- OSHA 1910.140
- Remove impacted systems and components.
- Inspect systems prior to use. OSHA 1926.502
- Remove impacted systems and components.
- Inspect systems prior to use. ANSI Z359.14-2014
- Comply with manufacturer’s instructions.
- Inspect SRD after subjected to fall arrest. Inspected by user prior to use.
- Competent Person inspection at intervals based on type and conditions of use. CSA Z259.2.2
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
- Inspect before each use.
- Annual inspection by competent person. Inspect SRD after subjected to fall arrest. CE EN365:2004
- Inspect prior to use. Periodic examinations by a competent person must be done at least every 12 months, in accordance with the Manufacturer’s instructions AS/NZS 1891.4
- Inspection by a height safety operator before and after each use. Six (6) month inspection by a height safety equipment inspector.
This content is for information use and does not constitute training.
EFP’s fall protection specialists will come to your work site to inspection your current system for compliance, damage or defect regardless of make or manufacturer. Call (314) 492-4422 or email Sales@EngineeredFallProtection.com.
Inspection Documents
Engineered Fall Protection provides fall protection equipment inspections; serving clients from coast to coast, Canada, Mexico and especially focused in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, Tennessee, Kentucky, Iowa, Oklahoma, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida.