Do Fall Protection Harnesses Have a Defined Expiration Date?

No, there is no such thing as a predetermined or mandated expiration date on fall protection harnesses. Neither OSHA or ANSI have current codes or standards that set a specific time period for taking a harness out of service. Even most manufacturers will not suggest how long a harness will last.

In fact, the only person who can truly determine when a harness is due for removal is you or your competent, trained inspector. But, the most important conversation to have is what actually determines a harnesses expiration rather than who determines when it is time for a replacement.

The Problem With a Mandated Expiration Date

You might think that having a mandated expiration date for a fall protection harness would be a good thing. However, it could have some adverse effects.

For example, it could lull the wearer or safety professional into a false sense of security:

“My harness is only a year old, so I’m confident I’m adequately protected. This harness still has four year of use left in it.”

See the problem with that statement?

It is possible to become complacent, taking for granted that the harness will perform properly if and when needed. The wearer might even skip inspecting for defects each time the harness is used, which is extremely unsafe as this is the key to knowing if it is time to get a new harness or not.

What Affects a Fall Protection Harness’s Lifespan?

As with any PPE (personal protective equipment), a full body fall protection harness must be cared for and used properly.

Some of the things that can affect the durability of a safety harness are:

• Snagging on objects that might cause tears to the harness’s fabric or stitching. This can cause a weak spot that could fail during a fall arrest.
• Saturation of paints and other chemicals can weaken the synthetic materials used in the webbing construction. Remove chemicals as soon as possible, using the manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid further deterioration of the harness.
• Excessive exposure to UV rays or sunlight may cause deterioration or weakening of synthetic fibers. When the harness is not in use, store it away from sunlight.
• Exposure to caustics and acids may deteriorate the metal components, such as the D-ring and buckles. Clean these items as soon as possible using approved methods.
• Improper storage methods can damage the harness. The harness should be stored in a hanging position so that the webbing can “relax.” Hang the harness by the D-ring, not the webbing.

***If your harness has already been subjected to a fall arrest, it must be taken out of service immediately. Do not use the harness after an impact event. It must be labeled as unusable, removed from service and destroyed.***

Determine Usability Through Routine Inspection

Checking the safety harness carefully for damage is the only reliable way to determine its condition. This includes a pre-use check by the wearer before donning the equipment, and the periodic inspection by a qualified and competent inspector.

A competent inspector will be trained in proper inspection procedures and should document each harness’s inspection with a log sheet. While the pre-use inspection is necessary, the closer look an inspector gives the equipment ensures the harness is inspected properly.

ANSI recommends that formal inspections should be done at intervals of no more than six months.

***We advise that a harness that has not been formally inspected within that six month period be taken out of service and tagged unusable until a formal inspection is completed, including documentation.***

A Five Step Procedure for Harness Inspection

Below are the five steps you should follow in doing a formal inspection.

1. Inspect all webbing and stitching

• You’re checking for cuts, fraying, pulled or broken threads, abrasions, excessive wear, altered or missing straps, burns, UV damage, and heat and chemical exposures. Starting at one end of a webbing length, grasp the webbing with hands eight inches apart and flex the fabric. This can expose any defects not seen with the webbing in a straight alignment.

2. Inspect all metal or plastic components of the harness

• All harness buckles should work freely, engaging and disengaging fully and smoothly. Depending on the model harness you use, make sure each type of buckle, including a quick connect buckle, is functioning properly.
• Look for deformation, cracks, corrosion, deep pitting or burrs, sharp edges, nicks or cuts, exposure to excessive heat or chemicals, and any other damage. Missing, loose or improperly working parts should be noted. This should include both metal and plastic components.
• The D-ring should not be cracked, deformed, or otherwise damaged.

3. Inspect all load indicators

• Load indicators are sections of the harness webbing that are folded over and stitched securely. Ripped stitching, even if only partially separated, is an indicator that the harness has been subjected to a fall and is no longer providing adequate protection. Remove the harness from service immediately. Mark it as unusable until such time as it can be destroyed.

4. Inspect all labels

• To fully pass inspection, labels must be present and readable. Make sure the unique identifier for the harness is legible so that it can be marked properly on the log sheet.

5. Complete All Inspection Documentation

• A formal inspection is not done until the paper work is filled out. Create a log sheet if necessary, covering all the check points for the harness you use.
• Many suppliers, like MSA Safety, can furnish you with a complete, fully itemized inspection log for each model they sell. Your log should have a place to enter condition codes, overall assessment scores, and room for the inspector to make comments.
• Keep in mind that assessment doesn’t work on a sliding scale. The component, no matter what it is, gets a Pass OR Fail rating. There is no in-between.

Regular Inspections

You should be inspecting your harnesses regularly before every use, and it should be thoroughly inspected by a competent person periodically to ensure it is still in safe condition for use.

It’s common for safety harnesses to experience normal wear and tear; just be sure that it is in safe condition before you use it.

When determining whether or not to replace your safety harness, consider the following questions:

• Is there a chance that your safety equipment is compromised? If so, replace it.
• Is there a chance that your safety harness has been involved in a fall? If so, replace it.

Everyone in your organization who uses fall protection equipment must know that a safety harness needs to be replaced if it fails an inspection for any reason.

***In order to meet OSHA requirements, any type of equipment that does not pass inspection must be withdrawn from service immediately and tagged or marked as unusable or destroyed.***

Making the Final Decision

Ultimately, the decision to retire a safety harness is up to you, once you’ve clearly evaluated the effectiveness of the harness. However, when you invest in high-quality fall protection equipment, such as the line we have at KwikSafety, you may get many more years – and jobs – out of the equipment.

At KwikSafety, we can’t speak for any other manufacturers, but we do not put an expiration date on any of our products.

As long as your harness passes your user inspections, both daily for pre-use and annually by your competent person, you are okay to use these products all the time!

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