Free Full Body Harness Inspection Checklist
A point-by-point inspection checklist for full body harnesses. Webbing, stitching, hardware, labels, retirement triggers. Informed by EN 361 + EN 365 (UK/EU), AS/NZS 1891.1 + 1891.4:2025 (AU/NZ), and ANSI/ASSP Z359.11 + Z359.1 (US). Built for both pre-use and competent-person inspection.
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What's in the checklist
Designed by inspection professionals to leave no part of the harness unchecked. Use it for pre-use checks by the wearer or as a structured periodic inspection by a competent person.
- Harness ID, manufacturer, serial, date of manufacture
- Last inspection / next-due fields
- Webbing — abrasion, fraying, cuts, chemical exposure, UV
- Stitching — broken, loose, or pulled threads
- D-rings, buckles, adjusters — deformation, corrosion, function
- Lanyard attachment points and fall indicators
- Labels — present, legible, in-date
- Pass / Fail / Quarantine outcome
- Defect notes and inspector signature
- Retirement triggers reference card
Who uses this checklist
Anyone working at height, or anyone responsible for those who do.
Workers at height
Pre-use harness check before every use, every shift.
Competent persons
Periodic detailed inspection (typically 6 monthly) with documented results.
Site safety teams
Standardised checklist for site PPE issuance and retirement.
Training & assessment
Use as a teaching aid for new operators learning what 'good' looks like.
Standards this checklist is informed by
The inspection items and retirement triggers are common to EN, AS/NZS and ANSI/ASSP — the checklist is one document you can use under any of them.
Europe / UK — EN 361 + EN 365
EN 365:2004 sets the general requirements for fall protection PPE. Periodic examination is by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months — more often in intensive use or hazardous environments. The competent person must be knowledgeable of the manufacturer's current periodic-examination requirements. EN 361 specifies the harness itself. The UK statutory backstop is the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended 2022); the primary statutory inspection driver for fall-arrest kit is the Work at Height Regulations 2005, with HSE INDG367 guidance.
- Periodic examination ≤ 12 months by competent person
- Detailed inspection records retained until next examination
- Manufacturer authorisation may be required for some equipment
Australia / NZ — AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 + NATA
AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 is the current standard for Selection, Use and Maintenance — it superseded the 2009 version and clarified periodic-inspection frequencies and competent-person requirements. AS/NZS 1891.1 covers harnesses themselves. In Australia, periodic and detailed inspections are commonly performed by NATA-accredited inspection bodies under ISO/IEC 17020.
- AS/NZS 1891.1 — harness specification
- AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 — selection, use, maintenance
- Pre-use, periodic (typically 6-monthly), detailed inspection
- NATA accreditation under ISO/IEC 17020 widely recognised
United States — ANSI/ASSP Z359
ANSI/ASSP Z359.1-2024 is the umbrella Fall Protection Code; ANSI/ASSP Z359.2-2023 establishes the managed fall-protection program and the role of the Competent Person. Z359.11-2021 specifies full body harnesses. Z359.13 covers personal energy absorbers and lanyards. OSHA 1910.140 (general industry) and 1926.502 (construction) are the federal regulations that sit on top.
- ANSI/ASSP Z359.1-2024 — umbrella Fall Protection Code
- Z359.2-2023 — managed fall protection program + Competent Person
- Z359.11 — full body harness specification
- Z359.13 — energy absorbers and lanyards
- OSHA 1910.140 / 1926.502 — federal regulation
When to retire a harness immediately
These triggers are universal across EN 365, AS/NZS 1891.4 and ANSI Z359 — if any are true, take the harness out of service without exercising judgement:
- Subject to a fall arrest event (regardless of visual condition)
- Cuts, abrasion, melted webbing, or chemical exposure
- Broken or pulled stitching at structural points
- Deformed, corroded, or damaged hardware (D-rings, buckles)
- Manufacturer's stated lifespan exceeded (typically 5–10 years from first use)
- Labels missing or illegible (cannot verify identity / standard)
Frequently asked questions
A pre-use check is required by the user every time the harness is donned. EN 365 specifies a periodic examination by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months (more often in intensive or hazardous use). AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 commonly requires 6-monthly periodic inspection by a competent person plus annual detailed inspection. ANSI/ASSP Z359 expects similar layering. The checklist gives you a single document for all three layers.
Related resources
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