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Section 8: Product Inspection
Inspection is a critical element in the employment of any fall
protection equipment. In order to protect Authorized Persons who are
using this FBH, it is important that the employer establishes procedures
that has layers of inspection to ensure that any mechanical or functional
deficiencies are recognized before the product is put into use.
8.1: Issuing
If the FBH is to be kept in a locker or tool crib between periods of use,
the person responsible should inspect the product upon issuing and
receipt to ensure that it is in proper working order. If any deficiency is
noted, this should be logged on the inspection record and the product
should be removed from service and handled in accordance with the
employer’s lock-out/tag-out policy. If this FBH exhibits a deficiency, it
should be immediately removed from service and replaced.
8.2: Daily/Incidental Use
OSHA 1910.66 and OSHA 1926.502 (as well as ANSI Z359.1-2007
and ANSI A10.32-2004) specifically require that the user inspect all
fall protection equipment prior to each use to ensure proper
function and to ensure that the equipment is in serviceable
condition. Failure to do so may result in serious injury or death.
FallTech
requires that the following steps be taken during each
inspection prior to use of this Full Body Harness:
1. Check the webbing and look for cuts, fraying and signs of
damage to the webbing from excessive wear or abrasion. Also
look for excessive dirt, grease, oil, paint or other surface
contamination or discoloring. If any condition exists that
compromises the integrity of the webbing, changes the general
properties or feel of the webbing or limits/restricts the adjustment
of the webbing, immediately remove the FBH from service and
replace it with one that is in serviceable condition.
2. Check all stitch locations. Ensure that each stitch box and bar-
tack is intact with no loose, frayed or torn threads. If any of the
stitch locations shows signs of damage or excessive wear,
immediately remove the harness from service and replace it with
one that is serviceable.
3. Look for signs that the harness has been exposed to fall arrest
forces. Every FallTech FBH has two load-indicating safety tabs
(labels) or load-indicating safety pleats stitched on the back torso
straps, below the back D-ring. If these stitched pleats are torn or
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if the warning is exposed on the safety tabs, immediately remove
the harness from service (See Section 10.3).
4. Ensure that the labeling is present and legible. If the labels and
warnings are missing or illegible, immediately remove the
harness from service.
5. Inspect all metal hardware (D-rings, buckles, adjusters,
grommets, etc.). Look for hardware that is bent, cracked or
deformed. Look for sharp edges and burrs. Also check for signs
of corrosion. Ensure that none of the metal hardware has an
excessive build-up of dirt, grease, oil paint or any other
substance or contaminant. If any of these conditions exist,
immediately remove the FBH from service and replace it with
one that is in serviceable condition.
6. Check buckles and adjusters for proper mechanical function.
Ensure that all buckles can be easily and securely fastened and
that all adjusters can be operated allowing the webbing to pass
through when loosened, and to be held tight when under tension.
If mechanical functions of the buckles and adjusters do not pass
inspection, immediately remove the FBH from service and
replace it with one that is serviceable.
7. If the FBH fails to pass inspection on any of these points, or if
there is any doubt as to whether it is in proper working order,
immediately remove it from service.
8.3: Mandatory Semi-Annual Inspection
ANSI Z359.1-2007 requires that all fall protection equipment be
inspected by a competent person other than the user at least once each
year.
FallTech
strongly encourages that all fall protection equipment be
inspected by a competent person other than the user at least once every
six months.
This inspection should be noted in the inspection log below, along
with any deficiencies. This inspection should also be used as an
opportunity to counsel any authorized persons with respect to any
deficiencies that they may have failed to note in their daily inspections.
