How often should fall protection equipment be inspected?

Fall protection equipment must be inspected before initial use during each workshift for wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components must be removed from service. Personal fall arrest systems and components subjected to impact loading must be immediately removed from service and not used again for employee protection until inspected and determined by a competent person to be undamaged and suitable for reuse. In Construction Safety Orders (CAL/OSHA) each personal fall arrest system shall be inspected not less than twice annually by a competent person in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The date of each inspection shall be documented. [2] [3] [1]