How often should fall protection equipment be inspected?

Fall protection equipment must be inspected by the user before each use and formally inspected at least once per year by a jobsite Competent Person. More frequent inspections are required if mandated by the manufacturer or if equipment has been involved in a fall event. Under ANSI Z359.14, SRLs in continuous use or exposed to severe or corrosive environments require competent person inspection every 3 to 6 months.

Who is responsible for inspecting harnesses, lanyards, and connectors before each use?

The authorized user is responsible for inspecting their own harness, lanyards, and connectors before each use. This includes checking webbing, stitching, buckles, D-rings, snap hooks, and carabiners for wear, damage, or deformation. A formal annual inspection must also be performed by a Competent Person other than the user, as required by OSHA 1910.140 and ANSI Z359.1.

What are OSHA fall protection inspection requirements?

OSHA 1910.140 requires that personal fall protection systems be inspected before initial use during each workshift for mildew, wear, damage, and other deterioration, and that defective components be removed from service. Systems subjected to impact loading must be removed from service immediately until inspected and cleared by a Competent Person. OSHA 1926.502 requires the same for construction industry applications. These requirements apply to harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, SRLs, and all connecting hardware.

What should be checked when inspecting a self-retracting lifeline (SRL)?

When inspecting an SRL, check that all labels and markings are intact and legible, and look for evidence of damage to the housing, lifeline, and connectors. Many internal components including springs, brake pawls, pressure plates, and the cable or web assembly are housed inside the unit and require a competent person or factory inspection to evaluate fully. Any SRL involved in a fall arrest event must be removed from service immediately and inspected by a Competent Person before returning to use.

OSHA Fall Protection Equipment Inspections for Systems, Harnesses, Lanyards and SRL's

OSHA Fall Protection Equipment Inspection and Donning of a Safety Harness

How to Inspect a Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL)

How to Inspect a Safety Lanyard

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).

Fall protection equipment must be personally inspected by the user before each use and formally inspected at least once per year by a jobsite Competent Person — or more frequently if required by the manufacturer or if equipment has been involved in a fall event. Some standards, including ANSI Z359, require inspection every six months depending on conditions of use.

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.

Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) Inspection

SRLs (self-retracting lifelines) 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.

Per ANSI Z359.1, fall arrest equipment must be inspected by the user before each use and by a Competent Person other than the user at intervals not exceeding one year. For SRLs specifically, ANSI Z359.14 requires more frequent inspection based on conditions of use — see the inspection requirements table below for details.

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 screws and 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 all 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 from service.
- Inspect systems prior to use.
OSHA 1926.502
- Remove impacted systems and components from service.
- Inspect systems prior to use.
ANSI Z359.1 — Personal Fall Arrest Systems
- Inspect equipment before each use.
- Formal inspection by a Competent Person other than the user at intervals not exceeding one year.
- Comply with manufacturer's instructions for maintenance and storage.
ANSI Z359.14 — Self-Retracting Devices (SRLs)
- Inspect SRL after any fall arrest event — remove from service immediately until cleared by a Competent Person.
- SRLs used infrequently with good storage conditions: annual competent person inspection required; factory inspection every 2–5 years (per manufacturer).
- SRLs in continuous use or exposed to severe or corrosive environments: competent person inspection every 3–6 months; factory inspection at least annually.
- Comply with manufacturer's instructions.
CSA Z259.2.2
- Follow manufacturer's instructions.
- Inspect before each use.
- Annual inspection by a Competent Person.
- Inspect SRD after subjected to fall arrest.
CE EN365:2004
- Inspect prior to use.
- Periodic examinations by a Competent Person at least every 12 months, per manufacturer's instructions.
AS/NZS 1891.4
- Inspection by a height safety operator before and after each use.
- Six-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 inspect your current system for compliance, damage or defect regardless of make or manufacturer. Call (314) 492-4422 or Contact Us.

Inspection Documents

Inspection Form

3M Fall Protection Equipment Inspection Forms

Inspection Form

Safety Harness Inspection Form

Inspection Form

Self-Retracting Lifeline Inspection Form

Inspection Form

Safety Lanyards Inspection Form

Inspection Form

Horizontal Lifeline Inspection Form

Inspection Form

Vertical Lifeline Inspection Form

Inspection Form

Anchorage Connector Inspection Form

Form

Ladder Evaluation Form

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.