How often should fall protection equipment be inspected?

Fall protection equipment should be inspected before its initial use in each work shift [1]. Additionally, external fall arrest systems require an annual inspection and certification by a qualified person other than the user 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

Before each use of an aerial work platform, a visual inspection of the external fall arrest system is required. Replace components if there are any signs of wear or damage 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

Items to inspect include:

• Cable for proper tension, broken strands, kinks, or any signs of corrosion 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
• Fittings & Brackets: Ensure all fittings are tight and there are no signs of fractures. Inspect brackets for any damage 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
• Attachment Ring: No cracks or signs of wear are acceptable. Any signs of corrosion requires replacement 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
• Attaching Hardware: Inspect all attaching hardware to ensure there are no missing components and hardware is properly tightened 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
• Platform Rails: No visible damage is acceptable 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

Any personal fall protection system, including components, subjected to impact loading must be removed from service immediately and not used until a competent person inspects the system and determines that it is not damaged and is safe to use for personal fall protection [1].