More important than who determines its end of life is what determines it. You might think that having a mandated expiration date for a fall protection harness would be a good thing. However, it could have some adverse effects. This harness still has four year of use left in it. The wearer might skip inspecting for defects each time the harness is used. Additionally, a false sense of security may cause the recommended competent person annual inspection to be put off or even skipped.
As with any PPE personal protective equipment , a full body fall protection harness must be cared for and used properly. Some of the things that affect them adversely are:. Checking the harness carefully for damage is the only reliable way to determine its condition. This includes a pre-use check by the wearer before donning the equipment and the periodic inspection by a qualified, competent inspector.
While the pre-use inspection is necessary, the closer look an inspector gives the equipment ensures the harness is inspected properly. ANSI recommends that formal inspections should be done at intervals of no more than six months. In inspector should not be the person wearing that particular harness. The log sheet used should match the exact harness if at all possible. We advise that a harness that has not been formally inspected within that six month period be taken out of service and tagged unusable until a formal inspection is completed, including documentation.
Starting at one end of a webbing length, grasp the webbing with hands eight inches apart and flex the fabric. This can expose any defects not seen with the webbing in a straight alignment. All harness buckles should work freely, engaging and disengaging fully and smoothly. Depending on the model harness you use, make sure each type of buckle, including a quick connect buckle, is functioning properly.
Look for deformation, crack, corrosion, deep pitting or burrs, sharp edges, nicks or cuts, exposure to excessive heat or chemicals, and any other damage. Missing, loose or improperly working parts should be noted.
This should include both metal and plastic components. Load indicators are sections of the harness webbing that are folded over and stitched securely. Ripped stitching, even if only partially separated, is an indicator that the harness has been subjected to a fall and is no longer providing adequate protection. Remove the harness from service immediately. Mark it as unusable until such time as it can be destroyed. To fully pass inspection, labels must be present and readable.
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Portable Fall Arrest. Rescue Retractables. Controlled Descent. Rescue Devices. Roofer's Kits. Tool Tethers. Ladder Safety. MSA Safety. French Creek. Super Anchor. The body senses the lack of oxygen in the brain and turns off the lights - body assumes horizontal position, normal bloodflow resumes.
For a body held vertically harness, confined space etc this return to horizontal does not happen - end result, death. Current conscensus on treatment of suspected orthostatic intolerance suspension trauma or whatever you want to call it is to remove the suspension, and put casualty in safe airway position ie flat. The toxins that have built up cause damage to the kidneys - speed of return of the toxins into the torso so far has proven irrelevant. For those interested research rhabdomyolysis NB - Opinions on this have fluctuated over the years, and in industry there is a minute sample size of incidents to work with hence the uncertainty In reply to arch: Its not really the 'toxins' that are the immediate problem.
They can be mitigated but if they're going to kill you it will be much later. The problem we have experienced with people suspended and then suddenly released seems related to the rapid re-flooding of the upper torso can have a kind of over-pre-load effect on the heart. This can cause all manner of knock on problems and congestion, rapid heart failure if you like.
Its a big blow to the system, a challenging one for any heart to manage. The debate rages on. Current consensus is that a sort of half sitting position is least bad for the rescued person Its a very difficult set of circumstances, a big uphill battle on the day and a major bum twitching time for anyone trying to keep the casualty alive! However an hour on a seat with your legs in the same place being used to prop you in the right position to work is probably enough. Besides, most of the work I do doesn't require me to spend longer than an hour in one place without dropping off the ropes and fetching more paint, water, bolts, putty, drill bits, windows, tiles or what ever else is needed.
Chris Ridgers 11 Sep In reply to cfer: I am a tree surgeon and have never heard of this. There is no mention of it in the AFAG guidelines and it has never been mentioned in any of my training. I often spend hours on end free hanging from a sit harness with leg loops, not a seat and have never had any problems with it. In reply to cfer: yhm. However your training and industry guidelines will offer some differing advice to that given to the Scaffolders.
Tree work is very active and I would agree that you are unlikely to suffer with harness pre-syncope. I would be more concerned by your saw and huge tree limbs. The Work at Height Regulations make no mention of harness pre-syncope. There may some mention of it in BS , I can check tomorrow. In reply to cfer: BS 06 Section Annex D talks specifically about Suspension Trauma.
There has been a revision of the guidance on this subject.
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