How Do You Manage the Inspection of Your Fall Protection Equipment

No fall protection program is complete without a practical system for tracking the inspection, maintenance, retirement, and replacement of fall protection equipment. Because fall protection gear provides a life-saving function and is subject to the stresses and fatigue of use, it must be inspected regularly. The way in which you track these inspections is equally important. Keeping a piece of equipment in service beyond its suggested working life, or after it has experienced significant wear, damage, or fatigue can put workers at risk for fall-related injuries or death.

Here we will provide a few simple things you can do to ensure that the fall protection equipment that your workers are using is always fit for duty.

PERSONAL GEAR INSPECTION
Prior to each use, the worker who’ll be using the equipment should inspect each element of the harness, D-rings, straps, clips, and associated hardware for signs of fatigue, damage (gouges, fraying, bending, etc.), wear, corrosion, or any other compromise to integrity. Workers should also check the date (provided at manufacture) at which the equipment is scheduled to be retired (exceed its working life). Any failure to pass this inspection should result in the piece of equipment being marked “out of service” and removed from use.

OVERALL EQUIPMENT INSPECTION
All fall protection equipment should be inspected for compliance as required in manufacturer’s guidelines and checklists. This includes fixed, installed systems (railings, walkways, ladders, gantries), as well as anchorages, footings, and personal systems (lifelines, harnesses, SRLs, etc.) The person performing these inspections should be competent to make determinations about the condition and integrity of each piece of equipment.

DOCUMENTATION
It is essential that clear and consistent records of each required inspection be maintained and kept somewhere accessible. Documentation should include the inspector’s name, date of inspection, and the results of the inspection. The equipment should also be labeled with proof of inspection. Equipment exposed to in-use loading or potential damage should be sent back to the manufacturer for rebuild, recertification, or replacement. Keep documentation handy for a period of 3-5 years. If documents are needed to ensure OSHA compliance or to address an insurance claim, you’ll have them.

Contact your equipment manufacturer for information on personal fall protection equipment and inspection checklists for fixed and installed systems.

Thank you for reading,

Michael Evanko
Marketing Manager