Factors That Affect a Fall Protection Harness Lifespan

When working above the ground at a construction site, it isn’t a stretch to say that your safety harness can mean the difference between life and death. But knowing when to replace one can be difficult if you haven’t been trained on what to look out for. This is why it is important that everybody on the worksite can identify when a fall arrest harness needs replacement. Here are some of the factors that affect a fall protection harness lifespan.

Daily Wear and Tear

There are two major reasons that somebody would need to replace their safety harness, and both come down to usage. The first of these reasons is due to general wear. In the construction industry, there is the prevailing belief that you only need to replace your safety harness every five years. But time isn’t the only factor that you should consider when determining if you should replace it.

Wear and tear on the harness that comes with everyday usage can have devastating consequences if the warning signs are ignored. One of these signs is exposure. This can include exposure to chemicals, splatter from debris like paint, and damage caused by sunlight and UV rays. Storing a safety harness properly can also help the lifespan. Things like hanging up the safety harness and keeping it out of environments with varying temperatures can help maintain it.

Emergency Usage

The other major reason that somebody would want to replace their harness is the result of a fall. It is vitally important that any harness involved in arresting the fall of a worker be taken out of use immediately and destroyed. After being used in this way, there is no way to guarantee the integrity of the materials. Continued use after a fall could lead to the harness snapping if the worker falls again, which could have dire consequences for the employee and the company.

Knowing the factors that affect a fall protection harness lifespan will help to prevent any unnecessary job site injuries. At Midwest Unlimited, we know that workplace safety should always be the number one priority of any construction company. In business since 1947, we have been a proud supplier of lineman harness and all other safety equipment that helps workers return home safely each evening.