inspection of fall protection equipment

EVERY LIFE HAS A PURPOSE…

Inspection of Fall Protection Equipment

OSHA Inspection Requirements

Under 1926.502

“To Maintain their service life, all belt and harnesses should be inspected frequently. Visual Inspection before each use should become routine, and also a routine inspection by a competent person. “

Inspection Regulations

Where do the inspection requirements come from?– OSHA – user inspection– ANSI – Competent Person

inspection– MSA – Combination of ANSI

and OSHA

User complies will all rules since manufacturer builds to both requirements

USER

Interpreted Requirements

Inspection, maintenance, storage and care of equipment shall at a minimum be in accordance with manufacturer's and Competent Person's instructions.

Manufacturer’s instructions and recommendation on the use, inspection, maintenance, storage, and care of equipment shall be accessible for review by Authorized Persons who use, inspect, maintain, or store such equipment.

Inspecting, Storing, and Maintaining Fall Protection and Rescue Equipment – General Requirements

Who, When and How

Fall protection and fall rescue equipment shall be inspected:

– By the Authorized Person at least once at the beginning of each 8-hour shift in which it is used to verify that it has not sustained any wear or damage that would require its removal from service.

– On a regular basis not to exceed one year (or more frequently if required by manufacturer's instructions) by a Competent Person or a Competent Rescuer, as appropriate, to verify that the equipment is safe for use. MSA Recommends every 6 months.

– Written or electronic records of inspections completed under this standard shall be kept on file for the service life of the equipment.

What should it say?

Inspections of equipment shall note, but not be limited to, the following items:

– Absence or illegibility of markings or tags

– Absence of any elements affecting the equipment form, fit or function

– Evidence of defects in or damage to hardware elements including cracks, sharp edges, deformation, corrosion

What are we looking for?

Fraying, Unsplicing, Kinking, Knotting, Roping, Broken or pulled

stitches, Excessive

elongation,

Chemical attack, Excessive soiling, Abrasion, Alternation, Needed or excessive

lubrication, Excessive aging, Excessive wear.

Evidence of defects in or damage to straps or ropes including:

What else?

– Alternation, absence of parts, or evidence of defects in, damage to or improper function of mechanical devices and connectors;

– Any other condition that calls to question the suitability of the equipment for its intended purpose.

Removing Equipment From Service

Fall protection and fall rescue equipment shall be taken out of service when:

– Any inspection reveals that it may no longer serve the required function,

– The equipment may be unsafe due to damage or wear, or

– If the required inspection interval has been exceeded.

*Equipment taken out of service for exceeding the inspection interval may be returned to service after a satisfactory inspection has been performed by a Competent Person.

Removing Equipment From Service

All fall protection and fall rescue equipment that has been inspected and determined to be damaged and no longer adequate for service shall be tagged "DO NOT USE".

The Competent Person shall:– Destroy this equipment,– Return it to the manufacturer, or – If it is used in training, keep it in a controlled area to prevent

reuse.

Maintenance of Equipment The Competent Person or

Competent Rescuer, as appropriate, shall verify that the equipment is maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Other maintenance issues not

addressed by the manufacturer's instructions shall be addressed with the manufacturer prior to any attempt to perform maintenance.

The responsibility for maintenance of equipment shall be included in the fall protection procedures.

Storage

Procedures for storage of fall protection and rescue equipment shall be:– Developed, – Incorporated into fall protection procedures, and– Implemented in a manner consistent with manufacturer's instructions.

Equipment shall be stored in a manner that protects it from exposure to any conditions that could result in damage.

Procedures for storage of equipment shall limit access to personnel trained in the proper use of the equipment.

EVERY LIFE HAS A PURPOSE…

Examples of Product Failure

Examples of PPE Failures

Heat damage

Separation of layers – stitching was broken


Frayed top fibers exposing core of webbing


Top view -- Cut

Side view -- Cut


Damage due to cut



Inside fiber exposed due to cut Inside fiber exposed due to cut

Reinforced inside fiber is exposed due to wear


Hardened surface due to exposure to paint

Damage due to heat – inside fiber exposed


Outside plastic cover is damaged – inside exposed

Stretching due to force or heat – incorrect shape

Damage due to wear

Damage due to cuts


Damage due to spark or heat – surface damaged

Buckling damage


Damage due to chemicals and paint – surface is hardened


Cable Failures

Daily Inspection

User Inspection

1.Webbing

2.Metal components

3.Stitching

4.D-Rings

5.Labels

**Should be performed daily by user and take 2-3 minutes

Formal Inspection Checklist

Formal Inspection Checklist

Simplified Inspection form created for the Mid Atlantic Council.

Points of Inspection

Lanyards

1.Snap Hooks

2.Shock absorbers

3.Adjustment parts

4.Load Indicators

5.Labels

Points of Inspection

Anchorage Connectors

1.Webbing

2.D-Rings

3.Load Indicators

4.Oxidation

5. Labels

Formal inspection exercise

Poster designed for display on Project sites

Display through month of January 2014

How can MSA Help?

Andy DeLair

Construction Sales Manager

908-872-4364

[email protected]

Joe Gormley

Territory Sales Manager

610-357-1414

[email protected]

Because every life has a purpose!

Questions?

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