How often should fall protection equipment be inspected?

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.