Making sure your equipment is in top form is key to keeping yourself safe and protected on the job—whether it’s your Protecta Pro Harness or your lanyard. Here are a few basic inspection tips from OSHA to make it easier for you to tell what to look for:
Webbing
Begin with one end. Check for damage, slices or holes. Bend it so it looks like an upside-down U while keeping your hands a good six to eight inches apart. Any frayed edges, pulled stitches, or broken fibers count as damage. Consult the manufacturers’ guidelines on what you can and can’t replace or repair. Don’t replace indiscriminately. Otherwise, you could end up compromising your own health and safety in the field.
Buckles
Keep your eyes peeled for any distorted or broken parts along with any dings, dents or bent areas. Inspect the holes to make sure they aren’t torn or elongated. That way, your buckle tongue won’t find it as easy to slip. Feel any sharp edges? This is another sign that your buckles need to be replaced. Make sure to look over the attachment points of the center bar thoroughly and be wary of signs of chemical corrosion. Again, before you replace anything, consult the manufacturer’s guide.
Ropes
To be thorough, check the rope of your Protecta Pro Harness from end to end. You need to be sure that there are no worn, broken or cut fibers that might feel fuzzy when you touch them. Be sure you check for these. Frequency of use, intensity of use and age all play a factor in the rope’s condition. Remember that the longer and rougher you use a rope, the greater the need to have it tested and inspected before it’s used again.
D Rings
Look out for cracks, dents, rust or any other sign that the hardware is compromised and structurally unsafe. If the D ring isn’t at a perfect 90-degree angle any longer, you’ll need to have the belt replaced. Is any part of the hardware cutting into the belt or boring holes into any part of the harness? Adjust the fit to keep this from happening. Examine the snaps. See if the hook and eye have succumbed to distortions or not.
These are just a few inspection tips that will definitely come in handy for you when you start using your Protecta Pro Harness regularly. Be informed and stay safe on the job!
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