The Checklist for Inspecting and Retiring Your Harness

Safety Harness 101: The Checklist for When to Inspect and Retire Your Harness

A safety harness is arguably the most critical piece of personal protective equipment for anyone working at height. Unlike a hard hat or a pair of gloves, its job is to save your life in a single, catastrophic moment.

Because it’s so critical, it cannot be treated like a regular tool. It must be inspected meticulously, and more importantly, it must be retired when it’s no longer safe. Using a damaged or expired harness is not a risk—it’s a guarantee of failure.

Here is the essential checklist for harness inspection and retirement.

The 2-Minute Pre-Use Inspection (Do This Every Time)

Before you put on your harness at the start of every shift, perform this tactile inspection. Use your hands to feel every part of the harness as you look at it.

1. Webbing (The Straps)

• Grasp the webbing with both hands and bend it. Look for:
  • Fraying or Cuts: Any cut or frayed edge, especially on the sides.
  • Chemical Damage: Discolored or hardened spots, which could be from chemical burns or UV damage.
  • Heat Damage: Any melted, singed, or charred fibers.

2. Stitching

• Inspect all stitching where straps are sewn together (like the “X” on the back). Look for:
  • Pulled Threads: Any loose or broken stitches.
  • Hard Stitches: Stitching that looks glossy or hard (a sign of heat damage).

3. Hardware (D-Rings, Buckles, Adjusters)

• Check every single piece of metal. Look for:
  • Deformities: Any bends, cracks, or non-original shapes.
  • Corrosion: Deep rust that pits the metal.
  • Sharp Edges: Any nicks or burrs that could cut the webbing.
• Test the Buckles: Make sure all buckles (tongue buckles, pass-thru, quick-connect) engage smoothly and hold fast.

4. Labels

• This is a legal requirement. Find the harness label. It must be legible. You need to be able to read the:
  • Manufacturer’s Name
  • Date of Manufacture
  • Serial Number

When to Retire a Harness: The Non-Negotiable Rules

“When in doubt, throw it out.” This is the golden rule.

You must immediately remove a harness from service and destroy it if:

1. It Has Been in a Fall: This is the most important rule. Even if it looks fine, a harness that has arrested a fall has been subjected to extreme forces. Its integrity is gone. Cut it up and throw it away.
2. It Fails ANY Part of the Pre-Use Inspection: You find a cut, a frayed strap, a cracked buckle, or heavy rust.
3. The Labels are Unreadable: If a safety inspector can’t read the label, the harness is non-compliant.
4. It Has Reached its Expiry Date: Most manufacturers set a service life of 5 years from the date of manufacture (NOT the date you bought it). This applies even if the harness is still in its bag. Materials degrade over time.

Conclusion

A safety harness is an investment in your life. Taking two minutes to inspect it is the most important part of your workday. Don’t take a chance.

Is it time for a replacement? Shop our full collection of certified Fall Protection Harnesses to stay safe and compliant.