Posted By Mcham2705 Morning all, Can you tell me the lifespan of a one point fall arrest full body harness that has very little use? I had all our safety access equipment inspected last week and 3 harnesses failed because they are over 5 years. I queried this with the engineer and he said that the life span for this harness was 5 years. However, my boss seems to think that this information is inaccurate and they don't have a lifespan. I am in agreement with the engineer but I am looking for confirmation from my fellow peers. Many thanks, Martin

Posted By Paul I would agree with charlie the frequency of use is most important. We at the company I currently work for are in everyday use of harness/lanyards for W.A.H I found that your first requirement is to to have your personnel trained in the use of harnesses and in the daily before work starts inspection of harness/lanyard/scaff hook/buckles for wear and tear that is on the webbing and carabiners for ease of opening and locking. We also carry out weekly checks on harnesses and attachments for wear and tear and dispose of any that are found to have tears and defects. If the harnesses have no defects they are safe to use keeping records of your training/inspections is of utmost importance. To this I would say if the harnesses are maintained and stored in proper conditions to manufacturers specifications they can last for years. I have no definite number of years as labeling with delivered harnesses do not come with a lifetime usage. I hope this is of help to you.

Posted By Mcham2705 Many thanks for your comments. I have told my boss and we have replaced the harnesses with new ones.

Posted By deuch As has been said you will need to follow the manufacturers recomendations. The HSE did some research on lanyard and harness degradation following two fatal accidents some years ago. One point of interest is that the while the harnesses I use have a five year life, this five years starts from the date of first use not the date of manufacture marked on the harness, provided the harnesses are stored correctly before use, and for no longer than two years. The rules for this are stated on the manufacturers supply documentation.

Posted By Clive Lowery Hi Martin, We are an infrequent user of harnesses, mainly restraint when using Cherry Pickers to install ceilings. We also only use "Labour Only" Sub Contractors. When I first started four years ago we had no regime in place and there some absolute horrors found. We instigated a policy that we would provide a new harness at the start of any project that required its use and at the end of that project we destroy them. Usual usage is generally not more than 3 months. Whislt we do destroy a large number of serviceable harnesses it has dramatically reduced the number of unserviceable and/or incorrect type of harnesses found on site which was my concern. Harnesses we use cost less than £100. Estimated "financial" cost of a fatality? Regards Clive

Posted By SEBASTIONCOE I thought that harnesses had to be inspected every 6 months under LOLER by a competent person who had received appropriate training, such as an insurance engineer and that a LOLER certificate had to be issued?

Posted By Dave Merchant Harnesses used for rope access and other forms of pre-planned workplace suspension (confined space entry and rescue, theatrical flying, bungee jumping, etc.) are classed as lifting 'carriages' under LOLER and so would require a 6-monthly TE, or whatever your WSE schedule imposes. The physical inspection process is no different to a fall arrest harness, so the inspector needs no additional qualification to complete it - you simply need to use a different form to record the findings.