{"id":82555,"date":"2026-07-21T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=82555"},"modified":"2026-07-24T09:26:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T08:26:41","slug":"safety-harness-inspection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/safety-harness-inspection\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety Harness Inspection: Free Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you use a safety harness when working at height, then you know how important it is that your equipment is kept in the best condition. Safety harnesses only have the potential to save lives if they are maintained and used correctly, which is why safety harness inspections are so important. In this article, we\u2019ll outline the safety inspection requirements for a safety harness and explain how to correctly perform checks on a safety harness. You can also download a free detailed check checklist<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Safety Harness Inspection Requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A safety harness<\/a> inspection is needed to ensure you remain safe whilst working at height. A combination of pre-use checks, detailed checks and periodic thorough inspections of your fall arrest equipment help to identify any damage, dirt and defects that may render the equipment unsafe to use, before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By law, employers must ensure that all fall prevention<\/a> equipment is well maintained, kept in good repair and replaced where necessary. This is a requirement under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Work at Height Regulations 2005 further state that fall prevention equipment must be inspected at \u2018suitable intervals\u2019, especially if it\u2019s exposed to conditions that may make it deteriorate more quickly than usual, such as chemicals, heat or abrasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To comply with these laws and ensure safety harnesses remain safe to use, they should be inspected and maintained regularly. Not only does this mean inspecting for damage<\/strong>, but also ensuring the harness is clean and free from dirt. <\/strong>Cleaning your safety harness and equipment regularly with clean, soapy water is essential for removing contaminants that could hide minor damage and cause the harness to deteriorate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Want to Learn More?<\/h3><\/div><\/div>

If you\u2019re required to use a safety harness for working at height, then our online Safety Harness Training<\/a> will teach you how to wear your harness correctly, maintain it in good condition and ensure falls are prevented. Our Safety Harness Inspection Course<\/a> has also been designed for anyone in any industry whose role involves conducting detailed checks of fall arrest PPE, including users, storepersons and supervisors.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Who Can Inspect a Safety Harness?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All safety harnesses should undergo a check by you<\/strong> – the user – to check for damage or defects before you begin work. This quick user check<\/strong> can be done by anyone wearing a safety harness and simply involves checking to make sure the harness looks and feels safe and clean. Look and feel the whole harness and lanyard, including the hardware, webbing and stitching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also recommended that you get someone to perform a buddy check<\/strong> before each use of a safety harness. This means asking a colleague to do a quick pre-use check for you, paying particular attention to the back of your harness, making sure that it is fitted and fastened correctly and that none of the straps are twisted. Again, anyone can do this inspection.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Detailed checks <\/strong>are more in-depth, often carried out weekly or when equipment is returned to a storeroom. Whether you’re the user, a supervisor or a store person, your role during a detailed check is to identify defects that a quick visual glance might miss. Unlike a thorough inspection, a detailed check isn’t about passing or failing equipment, and it doesn’t need to be recorded by law. Instead, it’s a responsibility to monitor the condition of the PPE and ensure it remains safe between formal inspections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Safety harnesses should also undergo more thorough inspections<\/strong> by a competent person<\/a> at regular intervals. These inspections are sometimes called competent person checks <\/strong>and should be carried out by someone who has the required authority, training, knowledge and experience. This person can be an appropriate person within your company or someone from an external source, such as an inspector from the harness\u2019 manufacturer, but they must have the knowledge of what to look for and know when to discard unusable fall prevention equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When Should a Safety Harness Be Inspected?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All safety harnesses and fall protection equipment should be inspected regularly by a competent person to ensure damage and defects are identified early and the item can be discarded and replaced before use. Without regular inspections, faulty safety equipment may not be noticed and the user\u2019s life may be at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s up to your organisation to determine how often you do a detailed check of your safety harnesses. The time period will be determined by your particular place of work, the risks present and the type of work carried out. As a guide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n