Harness Your Safety

How to Care for and Maintain Your Full Body Harness for Maximum Safety.

When working at heights, having reliable safety equipment is crucial, and a full body harness is one of the most important pieces of gear. However, maintaining and caring for your harness is often overlooked. Proper use includes adhering to safety procedures, following legal regulations, and performing regular inspections, with at least one detailed inspection every six months with the results of the inspection logged. If the harness is under tough environmental conditions such as a mining or construction work more frequent inspections are required.

This article will guide you on how to properly maintain and care for your full body harness to ensure it remains safe and effective.

Proper Cleaning of Your Full Body Harness

Cleaning your harness is an essential but often neglected first step in maintenance. Dust, dirt, and debris can weaken the material over time.

Follow these simple steps: 
1. Use a soft brush to remove dirt and dust from the harness.
2. Rinse it with water by hand, ensuring it is completely dry before use. If you must use a detergent use only a mild, diluted domestic soap and fully rinse.
3. If you are using a washing machine – place he harness in a mesh bag to avoid damage to the fitting fittings and entanglement.
4. Avoid exposing the harness to direct sunlight to prevent material degradation. Letting it dry out of the sun is the best option.

 

The Best Safety Harness for Working at Heights

Care for your Safety Harness. 

Important Considerations:

Do not use solvent-based cleaners or harsh chemicals, as they can damage the harness.
Do not pressure clean the harness.

Routine Inspections to Identify Damage

Regular inspections (at least 6 monthly)  are essential to ensure your full body harness remains in excellent condition. Here’s what to check:

  1. Visual Inspection: Look for any visible damage, wear, or cracks in straps, hooks, clips, and other components.
  2. Straps and Webbing: Check for knots, fraying, or scratches that may weaken the straps, especially at areas that experience friction.
  3. Buckles and D Rings: Ensure Buckles, D-Rings, hooks and clips are in good working order, free from damage, and operate smoothly. Ensure there are no deformation, distortion or corrosion.
  4. Moving Parts: Examine D Rings and hooks for proper movement.
  5. Labels and Instruction Tags: Ensure labels are legible and meet safety standards. Is the date of manufacture under 10 years ago? Does the Safety Harness have an ID number and history of Inspections?
  6. Fasteners and Hooks: Check for wear, abrasion, or damage that could impair functionality.
  7. Fall Arrest System: Ensure that all parts of the fall arrest system function correctly, with no damage to energy absorbers. Check for evidence that the harness has been in a fall. If so the harness should be immediately removed from service and destroyed.
  8. Size Adjustments: Ensure the harness can be adjusted and tightened correctly and remains secure.
  9. Stitches and Connections: Verify that all stitching is intact, and connections are secure. Check all stitch blocks for broken, cut or worn stitching and damage due to heat, corrosives, solvents or mildew.
  10. Simulate Usage: Wear the harness and check that clips and hooks operate as they should.

How to Properly Store a Harness

Storing your full body safety harness correctly helps prolong its lifespan. Follow these guidelines for a full 10 years of reliable use.  

  • Store the harness in a dry area, away from direct sunlight.
  • Keep it away from damp environments or areas where it may come into contact with chemicals that could damage it.

Avoid Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals

Chemicals such as acids, oils, and solvents can deteriorate the harness material. If your harness comes into contact with hazardous substances, clean it immediately and check for any damage.


Regularly Check Strap Tension

Strap tension is crucial for maintaining the safety and stability of the harness. Regularly inspect strap tension to ensure the harness is properly adjusted to handle the load safely.


Training on Proper Use and Installation

Beyond physical maintenance, it is essential that users receive proper training on how to correctly wear and adjust the harness. Ensure they understand how to tighten the harness properly and utilise each safety feature.


Inspect

Inspection of Clips, Hooks, and D Rings are integral to the performance of your full body harness. Make sure all clips lock securely and that hooks are in good condition. Look for any signs of wear or damage.


Review

Instruction tags provide essential information, including usage limits, inspection procedures, and safety warnings. Review these instructions regularly to ensure you are following all safety protocols set out in our Height Safety Equipment User Manual


By following these steps for cleaning, inspection, and proper care, your full body harness will remain in optimal condition, ensuring the safety of those who rely on it.

 

For any further questions about SpanSet’s Australia range of full body harnesses or for more tips, feel free to contact us at sales@spanset.com.au , call us on  (02) 4735 3955 or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Linked In for updates and information.