Harness Inspection
Harnesses as Fall-Arrest PPE
A fall-arrest harness is personal protective equipment, and the wearer's life depends on it, so it is inspected far more closely than most work equipment. Alongside the pre-use check, the accepted standard is a detailed inspection by a competent person at least every 6 months.
A harness is one part of your fall protection equipment, all of which we inspect, and we report clearly on whether each one is safe to wear.
Harness WAHR
Regulation
WAHR 2005
Detailed inspection
At least 6-monthly
Pre-use check
By the user
Examined
On site
Report turnaround
Within 3 days
What's included
What's covered in a harness inspection
Webbing
We check the webbing for cuts, fraying, abrasion, and UV or chemical damage, the most common reason a harness comes out of service. Cut, frayed or abraded webbing is what we find most.
Stitching
We examine the stitching for broken, pulled or worn threads, because the stitching is what holds the load. Broken or pulled stitching is a frequent finding.
D-Rings and Hardware
We check the D-rings and attachment points for distortion, cracks and corrosion, and the buckles, adjusters, connectors, keepers and loops for function and wear. Distorted or corroded D-rings and seized buckles are defects we regularly report.
Fall-Arrest Indicators
We check the fall-arrest indicators for any sign the harness has already arrested a fall. A deployed indicator takes the harness out of use on the spot.
Labels and History
We confirm the labels and ID are present, in date and serviceable. A missing ID label means the history is unknown, and without it the harness cannot be trusted.
How it works
Your harness's WAHR inspection, start to finish
Every scheme your equipment is required to meet under UK regulation carried out by accredited engineers and backed by compliant reports.
1
Book
Tell us how many harnesses and the site, and we confirm a date and a fixed quote, usually same day.
2
On-site examination
A competent examiner attends and carries out a detailed, recorded inspection of each harness.
3
Compliant report
You receive the inspection records within three days, with a clear safe-or-withdraw verdict on each one.
4
Reminders
We track the 6-monthly due date and remind you before the next inspection is required.
OUR STANDARDS
Inspected like a life depends on it
We take our responsibilities seriously, upholding the highest standards of professionalism, quality and safety across every aspect of our operations.
Quality Assurance
Detailed, recorded inspections by competent examiners who check the webbing, stitching and hardware to the accepted standard.
Responsibility
A rigorous inspection that keeps you compliant with the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
Care
A harness is the one piece of kit a worker trusts with their life, so we inspect it meticulously and tell you straight.
GET IN TOUCH
Request a Harness Inspection
Tell us how many harnesses and when, and we'll confirm availability and a competitive quote, usually the same day.
Call us
0208 050 3958
Based in
Reading, Berkshire: serving the South of England
● Hampshire
● Oxfordshire
● Northamptonshire
● Cambridgeshire
● Surrey
● Buckinghamshire
● London
FAQ
Harness Inspection: Common Questions
Is a formal inspection the same as a pre-use check?
No. The user should check the equipment before each use and look for obvious damage. A detailed inspection is a separate, recorded assessment by a competent person, and one does not replace the other.
How often should a harness be inspected?
The accepted standard is a detailed inspection by a competent person at least every 6 months, dropping to every 3 months in arduous or frequent use, on top of the wearer's pre-use check every time. The manufacturer's guidance and your risk assessment can shorten it further.
Can a failed harness be repaired?
No. A harness that fails inspection, or that has arrested a fall, is taken out of use and destroyed, not repaired. Its history is why the ID label matters - without it, you cannot trust the harness.
Do I legally need a work-at-height inspection?
If you provide equipment for working at height, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 make it your duty to have it inspected. Regulation 12 requires inspection at suitable intervals where it could deteriorate, on top of the user's pre-use checks, and a competent person's record is your evidence of compliance.
Do you carry out inspections on site?
Yes. Our examiners come to your premises across Berkshire and the surrounding counties, inspect the equipment in place, and issue the records promptly.