When working at heights, your fall protection harness and lanyard are your lifelines. These critical components of your personal fall arrest systems serve as the first and last line of defense against serious injury or fatal falls. That’s why regular inspections of harnesses and fall protection equipment inspections are essential to ensure maximum safety and compliance with industry standards. At SupplyNow, we not only supply top-rated fall arrest harnesses and lanyards but also offer professional harness and lanyard inspection services to help ensure your team meets Canadian safety standards, including those set by the Canadian Standards Association.
Why Harness and Lanyard Inspections Matter
Fall protection equipment is constantly subjected to harsh conditions such as exposure to sunlight, moisture, chemicals, and daily wear and tear. Over time, these factors can degrade the material and components of a body harness, making it unsafe for use. Even a small cut, loose stitch, or frayed strap can compromise the integrity of a harness and increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a fall. Regular fall protection inspections help identify such signs of deterioration early, allowing unsafe personal protective equipment to be removed from service before failure occurs.
In Canada, including Ontario, fall protection inspection requirements mandate both daily visual inspections by the worker and annual inspections performed by a competent person or qualified third-party inspector. These inspections verify that all components, from the D ring to the connecting hardware, are intact, properly connected, and free from corrosion or damage. Adhering to these regulations ensures that your personal fall arrest systems function correctly and comply with the latest fall protection standards, protecting workers and reducing liability.
1. How to Inspect Fall Protection Equipment in the Field
Before each use, workers should perform a thorough inspection of their harness following a fall protection checklist designed to verify the safety and performance of the equipment. The inspection should include the following:
- Webbing: Examine all straps and body belts for cuts, burns, fraying, mold, or chemical damage. Any signs of deterioration can weaken the harness material and should be addressed immediately.
- Stitching: Inspect all stitching for broken, or pulled threads. The stitching holds the harness components together and must be intact to ensure fall protection.
- Hardware: Check D rings, buckles, grommets, and other connectors for rust, cracks, deformation, or other damage. Hardware must be secure and operate correctly to ensure proper connection to anchor points and lanyards.
- Labels: Verify that all inspection tags, serial numbers, and manufacturer labels are legible and intact. These provide essential information about compliance and service life of your fall protection equipment.
- Fall Arrest Indicators: Look for any deployed fall arrest indicators. These devices signal that the harness has experienced a fall impact and must be removed from service immediately.
Performing these daily inspections guarantees that the harness is safe to wear and ready to provide proper fall protection to the wearer.
2. Lanyard Inspection: Don’t Overlook the Connector
The harness lanyard is as vital as the harness itself in a fall protection system. Daily inspections should include a detailed examination of the following:
- Webbing or Rope: Check for frays, cuts, glazing, or other signs of wear that could reduce strength.
- Shock Absorber Pack: Ensure the shock absorber has not been deployed. A deployed shock absorber cannot protect against fall forces and the lanyard must be replaced.
- Connectors and Hooks: Verify that all connectors, including hooks and carabiners, close and lock properly. Look for rust, cracks, deformation, or loose gates that could compromise connection security.
- Labels and Dates: Confirm that inspection and manufacturing dates are legible. This helps verify compliance with manufacturer recommendations and service life limits.
If any component of the lanyard shows signs of wear or damage, it should be tagged out and immediately replaced with approved safety harness lanyards that comply with Canadian standards. Proper maintenance and inspection of lanyards ensure that the entire fall protection system functions correctly to protect workers from injury.
3. Annual & Third-Party Inspections
Beyond daily user inspections, annual inspections are a critical part of a comprehensive fall protection plan. These must be performed by a competent person who has been trained to identify advanced signs of wear, deterioration, or non-compliance that may not be visible during routine checks. The competent person will verify that the harness and its components meet manufacturer specifications and Canadian safety standards, including those from the Canadian Standards Association.
Many organizations also engage third-party inspection services, such as those provided by SupplyNow, to ensure unbiased evaluation and thorough documentation. This professional service helps maintain compliance with Ontario and Canadian regulations and provides peace of mind that the fall protection system is providing maximum safety.
Harnesses or lanyards that fail annual or third-party inspections must be removed from service immediately and replaced to eliminate risk and protect workers.
4. When to Replace a Harness or Lanyard
Knowing when to replace a fall protection harness or lanyard is essential for maximum safety. The following conditions indicate that replacement is necessary:
- The equipment has been involved in a fall, as the forces exerted can damage the components even if no visible damage is apparent.
- The fall arrest indicator has been triggered, signaling that the harness or lanyard has absorbed impact forces.
- Webbing, straps, or hardware show visible damage such as cuts, frays, corrosion, or deformation.
- Labels, tags, or serial numbers are missing or illegible, preventing verification of compliance and service life.
- The equipment fails daily or annual inspections conducted by trained personnel.
- The harness or lanyard has exceeded the manufacturer’s recommended service life, which varies depending on usage and environmental conditions.
Replacing worn or compromised equipment promptly is crucial to eliminate risk and maintain the integrity of your fall protection system.
Understanding the Role of Travel Restraint Systems
In some work scenarios, travel restraint systems are used to prevent workers from reaching fall hazards. These systems require body belts or full body harnesses connected to anchor points to limit movement safely. Proper inspection of travel restraint equipment is just as critical as personal fall arrest systems to ensure workers do not inadvertently contact hazardous edges or ground surfaces.
The Importance of Rigging and Correct Use
Correct rigging practices are vital when using fall protection equipment. Ensuring that anchor points, connections, and lanyards are compatible and correctly installed can prevent accidents caused by equipment failure or improper use. Workers must be trained to understand the limitations of their fall protection system, including the maximum arresting force.
Regular harness inspection and adherence to manufacturer’s instructions help maintain the integrity of the system, preventing damage that could lead to equipment being destroyed or compromised.
By following these guidelines and maintaining vigilance in inspection and care, you ensure your fall protection harness and lanyard provide the highest level of safety and compliance on the job site.
Additional Tips for Harness Inspection and Lanyard Care
To maximize the lifespan and performance of your fall protection equipment, proper care and storage are essential. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and maintenance. Avoid exposing harnesses and lanyards to harsh chemicals, excessive heat, or prolonged sunlight, as these can degrade materials and reduce safety.
Store equipment in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight and contaminants. Regularly verify that all components, including personal energy absorbers and work positioning lanyards, are free from damage and functioning within their limitations. Tighten any loose straps and ensure all buckles and D rings are correctly secured before use.
Stay Protected, Stay Compliant
Safety doesn’t stop at wearing a harness, it continues with routine harness and lanyard inspections. At SupplyNow, we make it simple to stay safe and compliant with inspection services, replacement gear, and expert guidance. Your fall protection system is only as strong as its weakest link, so make sure every part is secure, inspected, and ready to protect you when it matters most.
