Fall protection equipment should be inspected regularly. Specifically, personal fall arrest systems must be inspected prior to each use for any signs of damage or deterioration 2, 9. Also, a competent person should inspect the equipment before its initial use and periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations [1].

Items that should be inspected include: mildew, wear, damage and other deterioration 2, 9; cuts, tears, abrasions, mold, or undue stretching 1, 3, 4; alterations or additions which might affect its efficiency 1, 3, 4; damage due to deterioration 1, 3, 4; contact with fire, acids, or other corrosives 1, 3, 4; distorted hooks or faulty hook springs 1, 3, 4; tongues unfitted to the shoulder of buckles; loose or damaged mountings 1, 3, 4; nonfunctioning parts 1, 3, 4; or wearing or internal deterioration in the ropes 1, 3, 4.

Any defective components must be removed from service immediately 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and tagged or marked as unusable, or destroyed 1, 3, 4.

After a personal fall arrest system has stopped a fall, the system must be removed from service [2] and inspected by a competent person to determine if it's undamaged and suitable for reuse 2, 4, 9.