Posted By Glyn Atkinson Due to conflicting "expert" information from supliers and statutory examiners in our area, I am turning to the Forum membership in the hope that one of you has expert knowledge and a source of information for the following - Two of our external suppliers/examiners are arguing about the true and acceptable lifespan of certified safety harnesses, assuming that all timed inspections and statutory tests have been completed and recorded. Theory 1 - the lifespan, if in good working order and examined yearly, is only five years and the harness has to be disguarded past that date. Theory 2 - If the 5 year span has been exceeded, and the use of the harness in question is occasional, with yearly recorded passes of statutory examination in place, then the harness can be useable for 2 further years - 7 in total. The HSE have stated from an enquiry - keep to the manufacturer's data. The BSI cannot find any relevant information. I would certainly appreciate any help in establishing the correct lifespan, and any data that proves where the lifespan has been calculated and on what basis?

Posted By Jim Walker This is only my opinion mind: I'd go with theory 2 just so long as there was no signs of deterioration. A harnees used once a year for 5 years is not much worst than a 5 day old one used every day Suitable storage is the name of the game here; Sunlight, damp, rodents (do moths eat nylon?) etc and it could be months old and no good.

Posted By The toecap I just got this:The following manufacturer's recommendations should be viewed as minimum guidance, ALL PRODUCTS should be regularly inspected by a competent person with items showing signs of excessive wear or material damage being removed from service immediately and destroyed. Pammenter & Petrie Ltd (Full Protection and Rescue products - webbing/rope) 5 years in use Product may be stored (as per storage guidance) for up to 2 years prior to first use in the original packaging, still then giving 5 years potential use. RidgeGear Ltd (Harnesses and lanyards) 5 years from date of first use. No harness should be used where the manufacture date is greater than 10 years. SALA (Harnesses, Lanyards and Full Arrest) 5 years from date of first use and or manufacture. No harness should be used where the manufacture date is greater than 5 years. Willens Ltd (Harnesses and Lanyards) 5 years from the date of first use and or manufacture. No harness should be used where the manufacture date is greater than 5 years. Miller Webbing Products - Bacou Dalloz (Webbing Products) Maximum 5 years working life from date of first use. Items must be taken out of service within 10 years of date of manufacture. Spanset (UK) Ltd All products should be destroyed after 5 years from date of manufacture. Even if never used. Tractel Ltd Product life = 1st use + 5 years. Shelf life up to 10 years in original packaging. For products that are left out doors for long periods should have life reduced by 1 year. Even if never used. I was looking on the same subject elsewhere.

Posted By holmes1979 the toe cap got there first.

Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney Glyn Being involved frequently with harness use here, I always look to see what frequency the harness has been used for, in what trade, etc and if I am of the opinion that a 3 week old well weathered harness has had more use in 3 weeks than most in 5 years then it is shredded and binned. I would as a previous response has indicated only consider the guidance a minimum requirement. For £65 or thereabouts to potentially help save a life against 5 years lifespan......No competition. CFT

Posted By Glyn Atkinson Just to clarify, The original question was put on because one of our service statutory testers passed a 6.5 year old harness and the other one failed the same harness just on age. Any harness showing signs of age or wear are routinely cut and removed from service. It was curiosity about standards between service companies that prompted me to want to know a definitive answer for my own personal good and knowledge bank. As I state elsewhere, this Forum is about learning something every day in a subject where you have no direct knowledge or proof of knowledge, so this was a worthwhile research exercise, and thanks to all who helped.