Knowing when a safety harness needs to be replaced is vital for the safety of the harness wearer, as well as your wider team.
The very concept of a safety harness is that it is designed to protect the wearer from hazards that can result from working at a height.
But when does the balance tip from a safety harness encouraging safety, to it posing a hazard in itself due to being poorly maintained or defective?
As a general rule, a typical safety harness has a lifespan of about five years. This can vary depending on the make and model, with some harnesses approved for up to ten years. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure your equipment stays safe and reliable.
While not intended as a substitute for independent health and safety advice, these are some of the top signs a safety harness requires urgent replacement due to condition of the equipment posing a safety hazard.
No Serial Number Present
While all safety harnesses differ in terms of operational use suitability and the quality of the build, in general, it’s recommended to replace them after 5 years of use. In some cases, the manufacturer may be able to guarantee up to 10 years of use, so long as the equipment is well maintained and checked before use in case of defaults.
But hold up a second, how can your line managers, let alone your employees check their equipment if no information is provided? Specifically, we’re talking about the serial numbers that should be clearly seen on the equipment which will give information about the manufacturer, when the equipment was last inspected and an idea of the general lifespan of the piece.
Seen as serial numbers should be provided as standard, be extremely cautious if such basic information is not visible, because ultimately the safety of the equipment cannot be guaranteed.
No Manufacturing Date Is Present
As above, without any dates recorded by an official safety inspector, you just cannot be sure how old the equipment is. Imagine if an accident were to occur, and during the investigation, it was found the company was using a safety harness, despite knowing no date could be found?
Such an error sounds too obvious to happen, but the reality is without care and attention, these things sadly do happen. If you wouldn’t eat food that didn’t have a correct date on it (let alone no date at all!) then the same certainly won’t do for your safety harness, especially where lives are potentially at risk.
No Inspection Date Has Been Recorded In 12 Months
As an absolute minimum, safety harnesses should be inspected by a qualified party at least every 6 months. Ideally, though, the frequency should be much more regular, as small defaults could soon lead to huge problems if not spotted early enough.
The simple fact is that without an inspection within a reasonable timeframe, the equipment has not been deemed safe to use. If that’s the case, the preservation of human life cannot be guaranteed when the equipment is called upon to prevent that employee from having a serious fall or accident.
Also Replace A Safety Harness With Any Delay If Any Of The Following Occur
Regardless of age or apparent condition, a safety harness must be taken out of service immediately in any the following circumstances.
After Involvement In A Fall Arrest
If a harness has been involved in a fall arrest, it must be removed from service immediately, regardless of whether any visible damage is present. That’s because the forces generated during a fall arrest can compromise the internal structure of webbing and stitching in ways that are not visible to the naked eye.
Visible Structural Damage
Cuts, burns, chemical exposure or heat warping are grounds for instant retirement. Loose or broken threads in load-bearing areas also require immediate disposal.
Webbing Damage Or Deterioration
When webbing shows multiple frays, rippling or inconsistent thickness, it is time to replace the harness. Any cut or tear (even if the damage appears minor) is generally sufficient reason to retire the equipment.
Damaged Or Deformed Hardware
Frayed webbing, damaged stitching or deformed hardware, including to the D-rings, buckles, and fasteners require the harness to be replaced immediately. Damages or deformity should be identified during a formal inspection or pre-use check.
Environmental And Chemical Exposure
Exposure to ultraviolet light over time can also cause webbing to degrade, even when the harness has not been in regular use. Therefore, a safety harness should be replaced if the webbing has been exposed to oils, fuels, chemicals or excessive heat.
The Legal Framework For Safety Harness Condition In The UK
The 2005 Working at Height Regulations stipulates that employers must check all equipment involved in protecting workers from the likes of falls and trips regularly. This also includes safety harnesses, which can easily be overlooked in favour of only checking the cables and other pieces of equipment responsible for keeping employees safe while working at height.
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended in 2022) place a broader duty on employers to provide PPE that is in good repair and working order, with inspection records maintained.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) also applies, requiring that any equipment provided for use at work is maintained in an efficient state and in good repair.
Underpinning all of this is Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which places a general duty of care on employers to protect workers from foreseeable harm.
Ultimately, whether your employees use safety harnesses to clean windows or indeed work on the top of skyscrapers, it’s essential that corners are never cut where safety is concerned, and safety harnesses and their accompanying lanyards are no exception. Not only ensuring compliance with all of the above a moral duty as an employer, it’s also the law.
Fall Protection Equipment UK From Metreel
Aside from the above, another reason a safety harness should be replaced is if you, your safety inspectors or employees alike notice any issues with the equipment. While it may seem like a hassle or even an expense to replace a safety harness, ultimately it is your responsibility as an employer to ensure your employees are safe at work.
If you have any concerns about your safety harness equipment, then a health and safety executive should be consulted in the first instance. In the meantime, if you require any help or advice on safety harnesses and fall protection equipment in general, we’re here to help.
Metreel is a leading supplier of fall protection equipment. We’re based in Ilkeston, Derbyshire covering the UK and beyond.
If you would like to find out more about our products, or if you’re interested in any other of the services we provide, please give us a call on 0115 932 7010, or drop us an email.
Alternatively, check out the Metreel Brochure to discover our full range of products and services.