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What you need to know about fall protection harness inspection

Man holding fall protection harness by the D ring and conducting a visual inspection of the harness

Every harness must have a tag that is legible and contains the manufacturer’s name, harness model, manufacture date, limitations, and warnings.

Fall protection equipment must be inspected prior to every use.

Fall protection equipment must be inspected in accordance with manufacturer specs.

Fall protection equipment must be stored properly.

Conducting a visual harness inspection:

  • Inspect equipment for loose or broken stitching, cuts, burn marks, fraying or abrasions, or any evidence that would lead you to believe the strapping or fabric has been weakened.
  • Inspect equipment components for defects, rust, rough or sharp edges, cracks, and modifications

Proper harness storage:

Equipment should be hanging or lying flat in a designated storage area. Storage area should be dry and free from:

  • direct sunlight
  • excessive heat/steam
  • weather
  • corrosive elements

*Follow manufacturers specifications when cleaning fall protection equipment.

Why fall protection equipment matters

Falls are still the leading cause of death for construction employees, and they are preventable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics show falls from elevation account for 423 of the 1,056 fatalities recorded in 2022.1 Fall protection could be your last line of defense, don’t become a statistic.
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More fall protection resources

Supplement this talk: Harness Inspection Checklist
More on this topic: Construction Fall Protection Program
Construction resources: Construction Loss Control Services

[1] US Bureau of Labor Statistics “National Census of Fatal Occupation Injuries in 2022.” Dec 19, 2023

The information included is designed for informational purposes only. It is not legal, tax, financial or any other sort of advice, nor is it a substitute for such advice. The information may not apply to your specific situation. We have tried to make sure the information is accurate, but it could be outdated or even inaccurate in parts. It is the reader’s responsibility to comply with any applicable local, state, or federal regulations. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and their employees make no warranties about the information nor guarantee of results, and they assume no liability in connection with the information provided.