Fall protection systems are vital safety equipment for people operating at heights. OSHA requires that all personal fall arrest equipment be inspected on a regular basis for significant issues such as: lacerations, rips, abrasions, mold, stretching, changes, or additions that will change its efficiency and damage due to deterioration, contact with fire, acids or corrosives, etc. Fall protection systems must be inspected prior to each use by the wearer and at least yearly by a skilled inspector and should be maintained frequently
Maintenance and inspection checklist
Anchorage systems: Inspect all equipment of the anchorage tool Examine any abrasions, wear points, or damaged threads or swags in the sling material For synthetic slings and anchor straps, examine all sewing and loops for wear, chemical damage, burn damage, and/or ultraviolet weakening Check tags connected to the anchorage to determine when the sling should be taken out of service-if it's on or past the date, retire the sling Inspect cable slings for excessive damage to the steel fibers; retire if damaged
Snap hooks and carabiners: Check snap hooks and carabiners and all important components for discoloration, deformation, cracks, or abrasions; retire if any of these is found Remove from service right away if it has been used in a fall or if the spring brake and gate are bowed or if the gate keeper no longer engages the slot properly Broken snap hooks and carabiners should be tagged and taken out of service Cleanse dirty snap-hooks and carabiners with a solvent or submerge in boiling water for 30 seconds to eliminate grease and cleaning agents and dry meticulously with a soft cloth-make certain gate and gatekeeper operate properly when clean-up is complete
Lanyards and energy absorbers: Look over lanyards under minor pressure Check all components for abrasion, discoloration, cracks, and torn stitching; retire if any of these is found Clean on regular basis to remove dirt and grit that can roughen the fibers (use only mild detergent-never abrasives or solvents which can damage the fibers and remember to dry thoroughly) Lanyards and energy absorbers should have a permanently attached label that indicates the manufacturer's name, serial number/lot number, manufacture date, maximum elongation, maximum arresting force, maximum free fall, and capacity-remove components with absent tags from service If the lanyard is 5 or more years old, remove from service regardless of condition
Retire the lanyard after a hard fall, when the shock absorber has been even slightly impacted, if the lanyard has been involved for any other purpose other than fall protection, if the system shows excessive wear, chemical damage, burn damage, and/or ultraviolet deterioration.
Fall arrester Inspect for signs of wear, corrosion, rust, and other defects; retire if found If any sign of wear or break down, remove equipment from service immediately.
Self-retracting lifelines (SRL) Send back to the manufacturer for servicing and recertification once a year If SRL housing becomes yellow, gathers moisture, or the indicator has been engaged, remove from service immediately and return it to the manufacturer for repair and re-certification
Harness Look over for frayed threads, cuts, tears, or loose-fitting connections Inspect the stitched areas thoroughly Look for burn holes from welding or other heat sources; retire if found Make certain harnesses are not painted or marked (paint and other materials can corrupt the webbing) Wash the harness in a mild soap and rinse multiple times to remove any soap residue and hang to dry out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry environment; Retire harness from use after 5 years even if it has not been used Harness should have a non-removable attached label indicating manufacturer's name, serial number/ lot number, manufacture date, and capacity. If tag is missing, retire from service
Ropes Examine under slight tension Inspect for broken fibers, severely worn areas, or change in the consistency of the core Examine for soft areas, bulges, or excessive stiffness; remove from service if any of these is found Avoid exposing rope to hazardous chemicals, moisture, acids, or oils. Retire from service immediately if it has been exposed to these substances and damaged Don't use the rope after it has been used in a fall arrest Clean the rope on regular basis to remove dirt or grit. Use lukewarm water and mild detergent, rinse several times to remove soap residue and suspend in a dry, cool, dark area Gather rope in a strong, weather- proof bag (rope must be Fully dry before storing) Rope should have a non-removable attached label indicating manufacturer's name, serial number/lot number, manufacture date, and capacity. If tag is missing, remove from service Retire rope after 5 years of service, regardless of state.
A final note: Like all safety equipment, the manufacturer's recommendations for use, inspection, care, and preservation for fall protection systems should be followed.
Maintenance and inspection checklist
Anchorage systems: Inspect all equipment of the anchorage tool Examine any abrasions, wear points, or damaged threads or swags in the sling material For synthetic slings and anchor straps, examine all sewing and loops for wear, chemical damage, burn damage, and/or ultraviolet weakening Check tags connected to the anchorage to determine when the sling should be taken out of service-if it's on or past the date, retire the sling Inspect cable slings for excessive damage to the steel fibers; retire if damaged
Snap hooks and carabiners: Check snap hooks and carabiners and all important components for discoloration, deformation, cracks, or abrasions; retire if any of these is found Remove from service right away if it has been used in a fall or if the spring brake and gate are bowed or if the gate keeper no longer engages the slot properly Broken snap hooks and carabiners should be tagged and taken out of service Cleanse dirty snap-hooks and carabiners with a solvent or submerge in boiling water for 30 seconds to eliminate grease and cleaning agents and dry meticulously with a soft cloth-make certain gate and gatekeeper operate properly when clean-up is complete
Lanyards and energy absorbers: Look over lanyards under minor pressure Check all components for abrasion, discoloration, cracks, and torn stitching; retire if any of these is found Clean on regular basis to remove dirt and grit that can roughen the fibers (use only mild detergent-never abrasives or solvents which can damage the fibers and remember to dry thoroughly) Lanyards and energy absorbers should have a permanently attached label that indicates the manufacturer's name, serial number/lot number, manufacture date, maximum elongation, maximum arresting force, maximum free fall, and capacity-remove components with absent tags from service If the lanyard is 5 or more years old, remove from service regardless of condition
Retire the lanyard after a hard fall, when the shock absorber has been even slightly impacted, if the lanyard has been involved for any other purpose other than fall protection, if the system shows excessive wear, chemical damage, burn damage, and/or ultraviolet deterioration.
Fall arrester Inspect for signs of wear, corrosion, rust, and other defects; retire if found If any sign of wear or break down, remove equipment from service immediately.
Self-retracting lifelines (SRL) Send back to the manufacturer for servicing and recertification once a year If SRL housing becomes yellow, gathers moisture, or the indicator has been engaged, remove from service immediately and return it to the manufacturer for repair and re-certification
Harness Look over for frayed threads, cuts, tears, or loose-fitting connections Inspect the stitched areas thoroughly Look for burn holes from welding or other heat sources; retire if found Make certain harnesses are not painted or marked (paint and other materials can corrupt the webbing) Wash the harness in a mild soap and rinse multiple times to remove any soap residue and hang to dry out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry environment; Retire harness from use after 5 years even if it has not been used Harness should have a non-removable attached label indicating manufacturer's name, serial number/ lot number, manufacture date, and capacity. If tag is missing, retire from service
Ropes Examine under slight tension Inspect for broken fibers, severely worn areas, or change in the consistency of the core Examine for soft areas, bulges, or excessive stiffness; remove from service if any of these is found Avoid exposing rope to hazardous chemicals, moisture, acids, or oils. Retire from service immediately if it has been exposed to these substances and damaged Don't use the rope after it has been used in a fall arrest Clean the rope on regular basis to remove dirt or grit. Use lukewarm water and mild detergent, rinse several times to remove soap residue and suspend in a dry, cool, dark area Gather rope in a strong, weather- proof bag (rope must be Fully dry before storing) Rope should have a non-removable attached label indicating manufacturer's name, serial number/lot number, manufacture date, and capacity. If tag is missing, remove from service Retire rope after 5 years of service, regardless of state.
A final note: Like all safety equipment, the manufacturer's recommendations for use, inspection, care, and preservation for fall protection systems should be followed.
About the Author:
About The Author: Mike Richards is a risk management expert specializing in protective safety equipment and health safety equipment.
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