HSE’s INDG367 is written about lanyards and says its principles can also apply to harnesses. It sets out three levels, and the sheet records the two with a record.
Pre-use check
Each time, by the user, by touch and by eye. It takes a few minutes.
Detailed inspection
At least every six months. At least every three months if used often in arduous work such as demolition, steel erection or scaffolding.
Interim inspection
Between the two, where something could cause significant damage first, such as paint, chemicals or grit blasting.
Six months is HSE’s recommendation. The law says suitable intervals.
What to look for
Webbing, then stitching, then hardware. Pass the harness and lanyard slowly through your hands, in good light.
Identity
Unique ID, indelibly marked
Not marked to old BS 1397:1979
Last inspection within six months
Has never arrested a fall
Webbing and stitching
Cuts of 1 mm or more at edges
Abrasion: face, loops and edges
Softening or hardening of fibres
Chemical attack, flaking, colour change
Heat or friction, glazed fibres
UV: colour loss, powdery surface
Contamination: dirt, grit, sand, paint
Stitching cut or abraded
Lanyard and energy absorber
No knot the maker did not intend
Energy absorber not part deployed
Protective sleeve in place, undamaged
Label present
Fittings
Karabiners, screwlinks, scaffold hooks sound
Karabiner gates undamaged
Harness fittings (buckles, D-rings)
Rope, if fitted
Kernmantel sheath and core, no rucking
Cable-laid rope, no internal damage
Other parts, per the maker’s instructions
When a harness comes out of use
The sheet ends in Pass, Withdraw or Refer. Any of these four means Withdraw.
It has arrested a fall. HSE says it should never be reused.
It has no unique ID.
It is marked to the old BS 1397:1979.
Its last inspection was more than six months ago.
INDG367 finds no clear boundary for usable life, so the sheet prints no age limit. Any limit comes from the maker.
Harness checklist questions
Is a harness inspection a thorough examination?
No. HSE calls it a detailed inspection. A thorough examination is a LOLER term. A harness used to lift people, as an arborist’s can be, falls under LOLER regulation 9 and needs a report, which this sheet is not.
Does a harness inspection need recording?
Yes for detailed and interim inspections. The result is kept until the next one is on record, and each harness needs a unique ID that ties it to its paperwork.
Does a pass prove the harness is strong enough?
No. It shows nothing was found. INDG367 reports that a 1 mm cut at the edge of a lanyard can cost it 5 to 40% of its strength, depending on the make, which is why such a cut is a failed line.
Does the sheet cover anchor points?
No. It covers the harness, the lanyard and their fittings. INDG367 does not cover anchor points.
