Scout's Toolbox Talks

Some harnesses look okay at a glance — but are no longer safe to use.

Knowing when to pull one from service can prevent disaster.

Why It Matters

A harness that has been involved in a fall, or shows visible wear or damage, may no longer perform as designed.

Using compromised gear can result in serious injury or death — not just for you, but for anyone counting on that equipment during a rescue or shared task.

Key Points

• Remove a harness from service immediately if:
  • It has been involved in a fall — even if there’s no visible damage
  • You see cuts, frays, burn marks, or broken stitching
  • The D-ring is bent, cracked, or loose
  • Buckles are damaged, jammed, or won’t lock securely
  • The inspection tag or label is missing or unreadable
• Do not attempt to repair a harness — even small fixes compromise its integrity
• Tag it out, report it, and notify your foreman or safety lead immediately
• Only replace harnesses with approved, inspected gear

✅ If it’s questionable, it’s replaceable. Don’t take chances.

Automatic Removal Criteria

Immediately remove from service if:

• It was used in a fall
• Hardware shows any deformation or corrosion
• Webbing is stretched, discolored, burned, or torn
• Stitching is missing, loose, or pulled out
• Harness fails inspection or has no traceable label

Ask the Crew

• Have you ever used a harness you weren’t sure about?
• Do you know exactly what damage to look for before tagging a harness out?
• What’s our site’s process for replacing damaged or expired fall protection gear?

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