Fall Protection Systems Inspections

In addition to being inspected prior to each use by authorized user, having your fall protection systems and equipment regularly inspected by a qualified and competent fall protection specialist on a yearly basis is an essential part of a pro-active compliant maintenance program.

Safeguard inspectors work with responsible building owner and onsite safety professionals all over the nation to ensure their fall protection systems and associated PPE are in good working order, operate as designed and according to manufacturer’s instructions, and identify problems before they become major costs or potential safety risks to users.

Our team is trained and authorized to inspect a variety of fall protection systems including Rigid Tieback Anchors, Horizontal Lifeline Systems, Vertical Lifeline and Climb Systems, Rigid Rail Track & Trolley Systems, Monorail/Track, Davit Systems, Guard Rail, Fixed Ladders and more.

OSHA and ANSI Standards: Fall Protection Systems – specifically discusses the employer’s responsibility for personal fall protection systems and how to ensure the safety of their employees.

OSHA 1910.66 Subpart F and 1910.140 Subpart I – General Industry – This section specially discusses the standards/codes for fall protection equipment and systems such as lanyards, self-retracting lifelines, d-rings horizontal lifelines and anchorages.

“Inspections” As stated in the standard personal fall arrest systems must be regularly inspected for significant defects, damage to deterioration, contact with flames and corrosives, loose or damaged mountings and non-functioning parts.

1910.140(c)(17) – A personal fall protection system or its components subjected to impact loading must be removed from service immediately and not used again until a competent person inspects the system or components and determines that it is not damaged and safe for use for employee personal fall protection.

1910.140(c)(18) – Personal fall protection systems must be inspected before initial use during each work shift for mildew, wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components must be removed from service.

OSHA 1926.500 Subpart M – Construction Industry – This section specifically discusses the inspection of the fall protection equipment as well as the employer’s responsibility to train their employees.

1926.502(d)(21) – personal fall arrest systems shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service.

1926.503(a)(2) – The employer shall assure that each employee has been trained, as necessary, by a competent person qualified in the following areas: The correct procedure of erecting, maintaining, disassembling, and inspecting the fall protection systems to be used.

ANSI/ASSE z359.2-2007: Inspections Fall Protection Systems – This section specially discusses the standards set forth by ANSI in terms of manufacturer’s instructions for inspections and frequency inspections.

ANSI Z359.I.-2007-6 : Users of PFAS shall at a minimum, comply with all manufacturer instructions regarding the inspection, maintenance and storage of the equipment. The user’s organization shall retain the manufacturer’s instructions and make them readily available to all users.

6.1.1 – Equipment shall be inspected by the user before each use and, additionally, by a competent person other than the user at intervals of no more than a year.

6.1.2 – Inspection criteria for the equipment shall be set by the users’ organization. Such as criteria critical shall equal or exceed the greater of the criteria established by this standard or the manufacturer’s recommendations.