Inspecting your harness. This may save your life.

In this class you will learn: Why it is important to inspect your harness. The names of various components of your harness. How to determine if your harness was shock loaded. Inspection criteria used to reject a harness

Are you ready? Great, Lets begin.

D-Rings Chest Strap Leg Straps Waist Strap Grommets Labels

Dorsal D-ring Shoulder Straps

Prepare for inspection Grab the harness by the D-ring. Shake the harness and unwind the twisted straps. Lay the harness on a table or bench for inspection if possible.

The D-Ring Run your finger around the inside and the outside of the d-ring Checking for sharp areas, cracks or other damage

The fall indicator Locate the fall indicator if present. Examine for stress on tear out stitches or deployment of message tag or broken or stretched members.

Webbing Material Grasp webbing with hands 6 to 8 inches apart. Bend webbing in an inverted “U” to make damaged fibers or cuts easier to detect. Look for holes, frayed edges, broken fibers, pulled stitches, cuts burns, discolorations, shiny spots, stiffness, and chemical damage. Follow this procedure the entire length of the webbing, inspecting both sides of each strap.

Web Stitching Check all stitch patters on the harness. Make sure that stitch pattern has no more than 2 broken stitches (don’t mistake broken stitches for start and end stitches). Check for distortion in the shape of the stitch pattern boxes. They should be square, not distorted.

Tongue Buckles Run fingers over buckles to check for distortion, cracks, breaks, rough or sharp edges. Check that buckles are free of distortion in shape and motion Check that buckle tongues overlap the buckle frame and move freely back and forth in their socket. Check rollers. Spin them on their frames to check they turn freely. Bend and fold the webbing of the buckle attachments to check for unusual wear, frayed or cut fibers, or broken stitching.

Tongue Buckle Grommets If Applicable Run fingers over buckles to check for distortion, cracks, breaks, rough or sharp edges, or corrosion. Check that the buckle lounges are free of distortion in shape and motion. Check that the buckle tongues overlap the buckle frame and move freely back and forth in their socket. Check rollers. Spin them on the frames to check they turn freely. Bend and fold webbing of buckle attachments to check for unusual wear, frayed or cut fibers, or broken stitching

Tongue Buckle Grommets. If Applicable Check for mishappen, elongated, cracked, corroded, or loose grommets. Check that no “non-manufacturer” holes are added to the buckle strap. Bend and fold the webbing of grommeted belts to check for wear, frayed or cut fibers, or broken stitching. If any breaks of stitches or patterns, remove from service. Look for cuts or holes -1/16-inch (thickness of a dime) removes harness from service.

Sliding Bar Buckles Check buckle for distortion; outer bars and center bars must me in place, functioning, and straight. Run fingers over buckles to check for sharp edges, cracks, or corrosion. Special attention to corners and attachment points at the center bar. Check that the springs operate. Must move freely and have contact. Pull the webbing attachment through the loop and check for unusual wear, frayed or cut fibers, or broken stitching.

Bayonet Buckles If applicable Run fingers over buckles to check for distirtion, cracks or corrosion. Make sure the dual tab (ear) mechanisms are freeof debris and engage properly. Look inside the mechanisms for dirt. Ensure release tabs of the buckles work freely and that the click is heard when each buckle engages. Inspect buckle springs or locks to assure they allow webbing to move but will secure it when needed.

Keepers Inspect all keepers to make sure they are not cracked, broken, or missing. Check that all keepers slide freely on webbing but stay in place where stopped.

D-Ring, O-Rings & Back Pads run fingers around inside of D-Ring or other O-rings. Check for distortion, cracks breaks, rough or sharp edges or corrosion. Check the operation of the D-Ring and D-Ring springs (if applicable). Bend and fold webbing of D-Ring or O-Ring attachments to check for wear, frayed or cut fibers, or broken stitching. Check both sides. Check for twists. Check back pads for cracks, excessive wear, or other signs of damage or wearing. Check area for foreign objects.

Labels Check that labels are present and readable. Check manufacturer date. If more than five (5) years old or older than the contractors’s service life policy, do not use. Check that serial number is present and legible.

Remember, This is life support Equipment If you are in doubt as to the Integrity of your harness, take it out of service and have it reinspected by a competent inspector. Your life may depend on it!

Questions?