Fall Protection Equipment Inspection Frequency

This document outlines the required inspection frequencies for personal fall arrest systems and other fall protection equipment, ensuring worker safety and regulatory compliance. It is based on OSHA regulations and manufacturer guidelines.

Pre-Use Inspection

Personal fall arrest systems, including harnesses, lanyards, and connectors, must be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration. Defective components must be removed from service immediately. [1]

The external fall arrest system on boom lifts must be inspected before each use. Replace components if there are any signs of wear or damage. [4]

During the pre-use inspection of external fall arrest systems, the following components should be visually inspected:

• 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] Annual Inspection

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. [4]

Post-Fall Inspection

Personal fall arrest systems and components subjected to impact loading (i.e., after arresting a fall) must be immediately removed from service. They should not be used again for employee protection until inspected and determined by a competent person to be undamaged and suitable for reuse. [3]

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

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