In my opinion use by dates, sell by dates, replace by dates etc. all have ample room for safety so the five year suggested life will more than likely be a lot longer. If you trust Zurich, and why wouldn't you? go with them for inspections and replace when they recommend/require, if you can prove their recommended criteria has been applied. (storage).

It is my understanding that harnesses should not be used past the manufacturer's recommended date. In truth, they would probably be fit for use well past the 5 year date but...in the event of a catastrophic failure who will hold their hand up?

frankc, it does beg the question what is the purpose of the manufacturer's recommended date if it is not adhered to? I can't understand why an insurance company would advise otherwise. If the 5 year date is exceeded, then what date and who decides when the harnesses in their totality become out of date? 'Surely Zurich would be responsible by stating it's ok to exceed the recommended date providing they have been stored properly and been subject to regular logged pre use checks/inspections?' Unfortunately the duty for providing and maintaining work equipment in a fit state lies with the employer - not the insurance company.

Every manufacturer gives different life critera for their harnesses based on elapsed time from date of manufacture and / or date of first use (assuming a record has been kept) If no record had been kept of when the item was brought into service then these dates would have to be considered as the same, ie the date on the harness. Given that in some case harnesses can be a few years old when purchased it is worthwhile ensuring that good records are maintained. When examining this type of equipment I would start to recommed that they are withdrawn from service when they have exceeded the service life (as specified by the manufacturer) from date of manufacture unless documentary evidence could be provided giving an alternative introduction into service date. Total access have put together a very useful document which is available at http://www.totalaccess.c...PPE_Max_Life_Summary.pdf

That was my feel for it too mate. Unfortunately, Ray clarified who the duty holder was/is.

Well, this is of course true. But it would be a fairly robust defence to demonstrate that competent persons had been appointed to carry out inspections and the employer is following their recommendations. That said, the get out clause for the insurer would be requiring the employer to demonstrate that they harnesses had in fact been stored in line with their instructions. Personally speaking, I would be happy to accept the insurance company's recommendation, provided that this was given in writing and that they had also already accepted the storage arrangements etc to be suitable.

I am a bit miffed at why the fuss for a use by date for harnesses recommended by the manufacturer? As another poster has commented, hard hats have a 5 year shelf life and when the expiry date is reached they should be disposed of - why should it be any different to harnesses or any other PPE? Okay, we know that products may well be fit for purpose some time after the manufacturer's date - but that is not the point, it is the recommended date by the manufacturer when the product is no longer safe to use. The manufacturer and suppliers have health and safety duties and if you deliberately ignore their recommendations/ instructions, then they will negate any responsibility if there should be a catastrophic failure of that equipment. Why take the risk? myles, my earlier comment was in response to frankc's comment: 'Surely Zurich would be responsible by stating it's ok to exceed the recommended date providing they have been stored properly and been subject to regular logged pre use checks/inspections?' I was merely stating a fact and yes a court may accept that the employer was carrying out the recommendations of a competent person in mitigation...but then, maybe not.

I see why the question is being asked, but I solely agree with those that the manufacturers end date is the last date of use. We destroy all harnesses and other articles that reach their end of life date in accordance with the Manufactures instructions. Surely we are supposed to use equipment in accordance with the Manufactures instructions (PUWER). I would not like to be the one to stand up and say I trusted the insurance company over the Manufacture; our LOLER inspection company takes the same stand point on our LOLER equipment.