Dos and don’ts of full-body harness inspection

For workers who must work at heights, full-body harnesses are a crucial element of personal protective equipment (PPE). In the event of a fall, a harness that has been properly maintained and inspected may save a life. A faulty or broken harness, however, has the potential to fail and result in catastrophic harm or even death. To preserve the integrity of the harness, it is essential that the right inspection and maintenance procedures are followed. The following are some full-body harness inspection dos and don’ts:

Do’s:

Inspect the harness before each use.

Before each usage, a full-body harness should be visually inspected to make sure it is undamaged and in good condition. Look for any symptoms of deterioration, such as frayed webbing or crooked stitches. Additionally, make sure that all D-rings and buckles are attached firmly and in good functioning order.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Since every harness is different, it is always advisable to inspect and maintain your harness according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. The places to inspect and the necessary inspection frequency will be outlined in these instructions in detail.

Keep a record of inspections.

It’s crucial to document each harness inspection that is carried out. The date of the inspection, the identity of the inspector, and any findings should all be included in this document. For reference in the future, these documents ought to be kept on file.

Visual and physical inspection

Visual inspection includes checking for tears, nicks, and cuts, exploring cracked fibres, and checking for major user-made modifications. The visual assessment also covers areas like missing straps, excessive stretching, and thick webbing.

Cleaning and storage methodologies

Most damages caused by using improper storage techniques are incurred by the harness. Due consideration must therefore be given to this issue during the inspection procedure. The inspector must recommend the proper storing techniques if drawbacks are discovered in this regard. The harness’s lifespan will be significantly increased as a result.

Don’ts:

Use a harness that has been damaged.

If a harness has been damaged, it should not be used. Even if the damage appears minor, it can compromise the integrity of the harness and put the worker at risk of injury or death.

Use a harness that is past its service life.

Each harness has a service life, which is typically specified by the manufacturer. Once the harness has reached the end of its service life, it should be replaced.

Modify the harness.

The harness should never be modified, altered, or repaired in any way that is not approved by the manufacturer. Modifications can compromise the integrity of the harness, putting the worker at risk.

Ignore the importance of inspection.

Regular inspection of the full-body harness is critical to ensure the safety of the worker. Failure to inspect the harness can lead to serious injury or even death in the event of a fall. An inspected full-body harness can provide comfort, and confidence, consequently increasing the productivity of the workers. Dutest provides high-quality safety equipment in the UAE, along with delivering services and solutions to all your needs

Premium quality Fall Protection Systems by Dutest

A fall protection system primarily comprises of a system which should be put in place so that a worker doesn’t lose his or her balance at height; in any given situation. The fall protection system is dedicated to providing a safer work experience and environment. Having a good quality fall protection system in place reduces the risk of injuries and helps in preventing accidents.

Falls are a leading cause of workplace fatalities for construction workers. Globally, one-third of construction deaths are linked to falls from an elevation. These accidents lead to large economic losses and cause pain and suffering.

Dutest is a prominent supplier of fall protection systems in the UAE. Along with being supplier of premium quality lifting equipment, they are also recognized for third party inspections of the lifting equipment across the UAE. Established in the year 1980, Dutest comes from years of experience and has made its mark in the construction, oil and gas, engineering and manufacturing industries in the region.

Their wide range of fall protection systems include full body harness, fall arrestor blocks and other safety equipment. These products comply with the highest international standards and are certified. Their extensive range of safety equipment is available all around the UAE. Dutest strives to provide a safe and secure work environment for all the work force in the UAE. Dedicated towards delivering user-friendly and reliable solutions it aims to prevent fall hazards.

Fall protection systems are mandatory to use if the worker is working beyond a height of 6 feet. Although before installing a fall protection system in place, it should be thoroughly inspected and approved for maximum utilization of the equipment in the long run. Some of the commonly used fall protection system includes vertical life line system, horizontal life line system etc.

Dutest believes in evaluating each fall hazard to determine the best fall protection method. Their services are known to provide a complete array of options for the diverse and multi segmented market. Aiming towards delivering a highly customer centric service for their clients, they have emerged as a marketing leader in lifting solutions.

Dutest is one of the most experienced and reliable third party inspection companies and supplier of lifting equipment in the UAE. Dutest provides complete range of fixed life line system in the UAE. They understand the local market and the importance of occupational safety in different work places.

How to Inspect a Safety Harness Before Using It

Equipment inspection is a critical procedure while using safety harnesses and working at heights. At Dutest, we strive to make working conditions as safe as possible by supplying high-quality equipment like full-body harnesses, lanyards, and multi-purpose life-line systems to protect workers who perform various tasks at risky heights.

Let us look at the various ways of inspecting a safety harness before using it.

Follow manual instructions

Inspect the instructions of your harness and understand product specifications so you use the right type of harness and wear it correctly. Visual and tactile inspections are pre-use checks that should be carried out before every use to make sure nothing is faulty. Some of the hardware components that can be checked include:

Webbing – Check for signs of damage such as worn or strained webbing, cracks, loose stitching, or fabric fading which may indicate a poorly made structure.
D-Rings – Check for signs of rust or damage and make sure the ring pivots freely.
Buckles – Ensure all rivets are tight and no sharp edges are sticking out. The buckles should not be bent, and stitching should be intact.
Straps and rope – Look out for broken fibers in the ropes and loose stitching while inspecting the clips on the straps.
Plastic loops – Check for damaged or broken loops.

Check for sun damage

Exposure to ultraviolet rays causes the harness to degrade over time. The harness should be stored away from direct sunlight and harsh chemicals to avoid flaking of the fibers and weakening of the webbing. Fibers that have a glazed appearance may indicate low strength of the webbing.

Check for equipment contamination

In work areas where harnesses are exposed to dirt and grime, the material of the harness may result in excessive internal or external abrasion. When dirt and debris get caught under the dorsal D-ring it can lead to acute problems for workers at heights. Cleaning the safety equipment regularly will help maintain its components that operate together to support workers safety.

Fasten the harness

Your fall protection harness should be fastened by a qualified individual to fit the wearer appropriately. Tighten or loosen the webbing through the harness buckles so that the person can move around well and have a functional range of motion.

As one of the premium safety harness suppliers in UAE, we select a combination of harnesses that suit your proposed work and anchorage point.

Visit our website for more information.