Harnesses are a standard part of every jobsite. But inspections? Those are far easier to miss.
On a busy site, it doesn’t take much for a harness check to fall through the cracks. Maybe the gear looks okay. Maybe the team’s racing the clock. Maybe no one’s sure who was supposed to check it. That five-minute step can feel like a delay—until the moment it would’ve made the difference.
Fall protection remains one of the most heavily regulated and cited areas in construction safety. And yet, too often, harness inspections get treated as an afterthought. That’s where risk creeps in.
This guide breaks down:
- What’s required under OSHA, CSA, and manufacturer standards
- What to look for in an effective inspection
- What can go wrong—and what it can cost you
- How to make inspections part of your site’s routine
If you want to skip ahead, you can also download our free Harness Inspection Checklist below.
Why Harness Inspections Are Non-Negotiable
A harness isn’t just a piece of PPE—it’s a lifesaving device. And like any critical safety system, it needs to be inspected regularly to stay reliable.
What the Standards Say
- OSHA requires a visual inspection before each use, plus regular, documented inspections by a competent person.
- CSA (Canada) enforces similar rules: daily checks, plus formal inspections at intervals no longer than 6 to 12 months.
- Manufacturer guidelines often require even more frequent checks, especially if harnesses are exposed to chemicals, heat, or rough use.
Do Harnesses Expire?
Yes—most harnesses have a defined service life, typically 5 years from the manufacture date. That’s assuming they’re well maintained and inspected. Damage, misuse, or missed inspections can cut that lifespan dramatically short.
If the tag is missing or unreadable? The harness is out of service. No exceptions.
Learn more about OSHA Fall Protection Equipment Requirements here.
What Happens When You Skip Inspections?
Let’s get specific. Here’s what you’re risking when a harness goes uninspected:
1. Equipment Failure & Injury
Falls remain the leading cause of death in construction. In 2022, the construction and extraction sector saw 1,069 worker fatalities, and roughly one-third of those were from falls to a lower level.
These aren’t unpredictable incidents. They’re the result of overlooked or ignored issues—like a cracked buckle, a stretched strap, or webbing damage that’s been there for weeks.
Fall protection is also OSHA’s most frequently cited safety violation, year after year. The risks are known. The solutions are clear. But when inspections are skipped, preventable injuries and deaths follow.
2. Fines and Legal Liability
OSHA fines for fall protection violations can hit $16,550 per instance. Repeat or willful violations? That jumps to $165,514. And the failure to abate tacks on another $16,550 per day.
Case in Point: In 2021, DME Construction Associates Inc. faced over $1.2 million in proposed penalties after a worker died from a fall through an unprotected skylight. Investigators found no adequate fall protection in place—and no record of proper inspection or oversight.
When inspections aren’t documented, you’re exposed. One incident can lead to six-figure fines, reputational damage, and civil lawsuits from injured workers or their families.
3. Insurance Nightmares
Insurers are increasingly scrutinizing safety protocols. If your documentation doesn’t prove that regular harness inspections occurred, claims related to fall incidents may be denied outright. This isn’t just a theoretical risk; it’s a growing trend as insurers aim to mitigate their own exposure.
Beyond denied claims, companies may face increased premiums or even loss of coverage. Insurers view inadequate safety practices as a red flag, indicating higher risk. This perception can lead to:
- Higher Premiums: Reflecting the increased risk associated with poor safety practices.
- Policy Non-Renewal: Insurers may choose not to renew policies for companies with a history of safety violations.
- Coverage Limitations: New policies may come with stricter terms, higher deductibles, or exclusions related to fall incidents.
Failures like these don’t just affect your crew—they hit your bottom line and risk your ability to stay insured.
4. Lost Time and Reputational Damage
A missed inspection can stall your project instantly. Failed audits, pulled crews, and retraining delays all add up—especially when you’re racing a schedule.
Worse, repeat issues can damage your credibility with clients, general contractors, and inspectors. If you’re seen as a liability, you risk being passed over for future bids.
Safety missteps don’t just cost time—they cost trust. And once that’s gone, it’s hard to win back.
What an Effective Harness Inspection Looks Like
What a Proper Harness Inspection Looks Like
A strong inspection process doesn’t take long—but it has to be consistent and thorough. A proper check involves both looking and feeling for damage, not just scanning over the gear.
Here’s how to do it right:
Webbing
The webbing is the structural backbone of the harness.
Inspect for:
- Fraying, cuts, or abrasions
- Heat or chemical damage
- UV fading or stiffness
- Any area that feels brittle, thin, or uneven
If any of these are present, the harness fails inspection.
Stitching
Load-bearing strength relies on intact stitching.
Inspect for:
- Missing, broken, or unraveling threads
- Stitching that appears worn down or shiny from wear
- Stress points near buckles and D-rings
Any compromised stitching disqualifies the harness from use.
Hardware
Metal components must be structurally sound and easy to operate.
Inspect for:
- Cracks, corrosion, or rust
- Dents, bends, or sharp edges
- Buckles or adjusters that stick or don’t lock smoothly
If anything doesn’t move freely or shows damage—it’s a fail.
Tagging System
The label provides proof of compliance and service life.
Check for:
- Manufacturer name and serial number
- Manufacture and inspection dates
- Legibility of all information
If the tag is unreadable or missing, the harness must be pulled from service.
Cleaning and Storage
Environmental conditions have a huge impact on gear lifespan.
Best practices:
- Store harnesses in a dry, shaded, well-ventilated location
- Keep away from sharp objects, sunlight, and corrosive substances
- Clean gear as needed using manufacturer-recommended methods
Dirty or sun-damaged gear should be inspected more frequently and replaced earlier.
Inspection Frequency
Most manufacturers recommend daily visual inspections by the user before every shift, and Formal, documented inspections every 6 to 12 months by a competent person
These formal checks should be recorded with the date, inspector name/signature, and any notes or findings.
Documentation isn’t just for audits—it’s your proof of due diligence.
Common Misconceptions About Harness Inspections
Misconceptions are often what lead to skipped checks. Here are some of the most common—and dangerous—ones:
“It looks fine.”
Webbing damage often starts internally. You need to feel for stiffness, brittleness, or hidden wear.
“We just did an inspection last month.”
Formal inspections don’t replace daily user checks. Each worker should inspect before every use.
“That’s the safety manager’s job.”
Every user is responsible for checking their own harness. Delegating this opens the door to missed risks.
“We’ve never had a problem before.”
That doesn’t guarantee you won’t tomorrow. Past luck isn’t a reliable safety policy.
How to Stay Compliant and Safe
How to Build Inspection into Your Routine
You don’t need a new system—just a repeatable process that’s easy to follow.
1. Start With a Checklist
Clear pass/fail criteria ensure consistency. Workers know what to look for, and admins get standardized documentation. (👉 Scroll down to download our free Harness Inspection Checklist.)
2. Train Every User
Make inspections part of onboarding and toolbox talks. Reinforce that responsibility lies with the user, not just the supervisor.
3. Track Formal Inspections
Use a logbook, spreadsheet, or software like Corfix to store inspection records. Include inspector names, dates, and comments.
If you’re audited—or worse, if there’s an incident—you’ll need that record.
You don’t need a whole new system—just a better process.
Download the Free Harness Inspection Checklist
If you haven’t already grabbed it, we’ve created a field-friendly inspection checklist that includes:
- Visual and tactile criteria for webbing, stitching, hardware, and labels
- Pass/fail boxes with space for notes
- Built-in reminders for periodic inspections
- Available in printable PDF and editable Word formats
You can upload it into Corfix to log inspections and stay audit-ready—or post it on site to keep the process visible.
Final Word: Don’t Let a Skipped Inspection Be Your Legacy
The cost of a harness is about $150. The cost of skipping an inspection? A life. A lawsuit. A seven-figure fine. A shutdown.
That’s not exaggeration—that’s what’s happening on job sites every year.
So before your crew straps in tomorrow morning, ask yourself:
Have you given them the tools to inspect their gear—and the culture that says it’s non-negotiable?