Fall Protection Equipment Inspection Checklist

Last updated: April 2026

Last updated: April 2026

A harness with a frayed webbing strap will not arrest a fall. A snap hook that does not lock will release under load. A shock absorber that has already deployed has no energy-absorption capacity left. Fall protection equipment inspection is a pre-use visual check of every component (harness, lanyard, SRL, anchor) to verify it is safe to use before each shift. Both OSHA and Canadian provincial regulations require it. This guide covers what to inspect, how to inspect it, and when to remove equipment from service.

For the full fall protection overview, read our complete fall protection guide.

What OSHA and CSA Require

OSHA does not specify a detailed inspection checklist in the regulation itself, but 1926.502(d) requires that fall protection systems be inspected prior to each use and that defective components be removed from service. CSA Z259.10 (harnesses) and CSA Z259.12 (connecting subsystems) require both pre-use inspections by the worker and periodic detailed inspections by a competent person.

ANSI Z359.2 and Z359.7 (US consensus standards) recommend formal inspections at intervals not exceeding one year, performed by a competent person other than the user.

Full-Body Harness Inspection

Inspect the harness systematically. Start at the dorsal D-ring and work your way down each strap.

Webbing

• Visual: Check every strap for cuts, frays, burns, chemical damage, paint contamination, and excessive dirt
• Tactile: Run the webbing through your hands. Feel for hard spots, soft spots, or areas where the material has lost its flexibility
• UV damage: Webbing exposed to prolonged sunlight becomes stiff and brittle. If the material cracks when flexed, remove it from service

Stitching

• Inspect all load-bearing stitch patterns. Look for pulled, cut, or abraded threads
• Compare stitch patterns to an unused section. If more than 10% of stitches in a load-bearing pattern are broken, remove from service

Hardware

• D-rings: Check for cracks, distortion, corrosion, and sharp edges. The D-ring must pivot freely
• Buckles: Must engage and release smoothly. Tongue buckles must fully seat. Quick-connect buckles must click and lock
• Grommets: Check for deformation, cracking, or pulling away from the webbing

Labels

• The manufacturer's label must be present and legible. It contains the model, serial number, manufacture date, applicable standard (ANSI or CSA), and load rating
• If the label is missing, illegible, or removed, the harness is out of service. You cannot verify its rating or recall status without the label.

Lanyard and Energy Absorber Inspection

• Webbing/rope: Same checks as harness webbing. For wire rope lanyards, check for broken strands, kinks, and corrosion
• Snap hooks: Must be self-closing and self-locking. The gate must close completely and the lock must engage without manual assistance. If the gate sticks, binds, or does not lock, remove from service
• Shock absorber indicator: Many energy absorbers have a visual indicator (stitching that tears in sequence). If the indicator shows any deployment, the absorber has been loaded and must be removed from service immediately
• Length: Verify the lanyard has not been knotted, shortened, or modified

Self-Retracting Device (SRL) Inspection

• Housing: Check for cracks, dents, or corrosion. The housing protects the internal mechanism and line
• Line (cable/webbing): Extend the full length and inspect for frays, kinks, or damage. Retract and verify smooth, consistent retraction
• Braking mechanism: Give the line a sharp pull to test the locking function. The brake should engage immediately
• Snap hook/carabiner: Same checks as lanyard connectors
• Annual service: Most SRL manufacturers require annual inspection and recertification by an authorized service centre. Check the manufacturer's requirements

When to Remove Equipment From Service

Remove fall protection equipment from service immediately when:

• It has been involved in a fall arrest event
• Any component shows visible damage (cuts, frays, cracks, corrosion, deformation)
• The manufacturer's label is missing or illegible
• The shock absorber indicator shows deployment
• Hardware does not function properly (snap hooks that do not lock, buckles that do not engage)
• The equipment has exceeded the manufacturer's recommended service life (typically 5-10 years from first use, depending on manufacturer)
• There is any doubt about the equipment's integrity

Tag removed equipment as "out of service" and segregate it from usable equipment. Document the reason for removal and the date. For a printable checklist, use our equipment inspection checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions