Personal Fall Protection System Inspection Frequency

Ensuring worker safety and regulatory compliance requires regular inspection of personal fall protection systems and components. These inspections are crucial for identifying wear, damage, and other deterioration that could compromise the system's effectiveness. This document outlines the required inspection frequencies and procedures for personal fall arrest systems and external fall arrest systems used with aerial work platforms.

Inspection Frequency for Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Personal fall arrest systems must be inspected prior to each use. This inspection should check for wear, damage, and any other deterioration. Defective components must be removed from service immediately. [1]

Inspection Items for Personal Fall Arrest Systems

The pre-use inspection should include, but is not limited to, checking the following:

• Wear
• Damage
• Other deterioration

Any system or component subjected to impact loading (e.g., after a fall) must be immediately removed from service. It cannot be used again for employee protection until a competent person inspects it and determines it is undamaged and suitable for reuse. [3]

Inspection Frequency for External Fall Arrest Systems on Aerial Work Platforms

External fall arrest systems used with aerial work platforms require two types of inspections:

• Pre-Use Inspection: An inspection must be performed before each use of the aerial work platform. Components must be replaced if there are any signs of wear or damage.
• Annual Inspection and Certification: The external fall arrest system requires an annual inspection and certification. This inspection and certification must be performed by a qualified person other than the user.

Pre-Use Inspection Details for External Fall Arrest Systems

Before each use, a visual inspection of the following components should be performed:

• Cable: Inspect cable for proper tension, broken strands, kinks, or any signs of corrosion.
• Fittings & Brackets: Ensure all fittings are tight and there are no signs of fractures. Inspect brackets for any damage.
• Attachment Ring: No cracks or signs of wear are acceptable. Any signs of corrosion requires replacement.
• Attaching Hardware: Inspect all attaching hardware to ensure there are no missing components and hardware is properly tightened.
• Platform Rails: No visible damage is acceptable.

[4] [4] [4] [4] [4] Special attention should be given to cable tension. For example, on some systems, there should be no visible gap between the two Belleville washers when setting proper cable tension. If any gap is shown between the two Belleville washers, the cable tension is incorrect. [4]

Post-Fall Inspection

If the external fall arrest system is used to arrest a fall or is otherwise damaged, the entire system must be replaced and the platform fully inspected before returning to service. [2]

Importance of Prompt Rescue

The employer shall provide for prompt rescue of employees in the event of a fall or shall assure that employees are able to rescue themselves. [1]

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