Safety Harness Inspection: How to Check Before Use

Safety harness inspection is crucial for anyone working at heights, particularly in high-risk industries like construction. Proper safety harnesses are designed to protect workers from falls and serious injuries. Therefore, it is essential to check the safety of your harness every time it is used.

When selecting a harness, options include rescue harnesses, fall arrest harnesses, and multipurpose harnesses. Regardless of your choice, proper maintenance and inspections are key to ensuring user safety as well as the safety of those around you. Before you start work, it's prudent to conduct a thorough inspection of your harness. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to guide you in checking your gear:

• Label and Tag – Verify that the harness retains its label and tag, displaying the serial number, the date of manufacturing, and relevant standards.
• Webbing – Inspect the webbing for any signs of damage, including worn or badly pulled sections, cracks, loose stitching, or fading, which can indicate fiber degradation.
• D-Rings – Check for distortion, rust, and ensure that the D-ring can turn freely without issues.
• Buckles – Ensure that all rivets are secure and check for any bending, twisting, chipping, or sharp edges. The stitching must be intact and in good condition.
• Straps and Rope – Look for fraying or broken fibers on straps. Inspect the clips and make sure all stitching is secure.
• Plastic Loops – Examine for any cracks, damage, or breaks.

After addressing all these components, don’t overlook signs of tears, chemical exposure, or UV degradation. If there are uncertainties regarding the condition of the harness, discontinue use immediately. For those whose safety harnesses are in good condition, it’s equally important to ensure they are fitted and secured properly. We recommend referring to our blog post on How to Fit Your Safety Harness Correctly for detailed fitting instructions.

At All Lifting, we prioritize workplace safety and strive to provide high-quality equipment to ensure site safety. As height safety specialists, you can find all the necessary height safety gear for your job at one of our local stores or shop online today for your height safety needs.