Templates / Harness Pre-Use Inspection
Harness Pre-Use Inspection
A dedicated fall-arrest harness pre-use inspection form covering webbing, stitching, buckles and D-rings in line with EN 361.
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A pre-use inspection template for fall-arrest harnesses.
About this template
The Harness Pre-Use Inspection is designed to be quick to complete and easy to adapt to your own workplace. Start from the template rather than a blank page, tailor the hazards, controls and responsibilities to your site, and keep a completed copy on file as evidence that the right checks were made.
How it links to the standards
The equipment and controls this template asks you to record are governed by published standards that define what each item must withstand and how it is tested. These are the ones that apply most directly:
- EN 361 — full body harnesses
- EN 358 — work positioning and restraint belts
- EN 362 — connectors for fall protection
The full EN standards library covers every standard referenced across SafetyOrbit.
Related guidance
Filling the template in is easier when you know the reasoning behind each control. These notes cover the practical detail:
- Roofing and Work at Height — the full technique-note library for this kind of work
- Adjusting a Full Body Harness Correctly: Fit, Checks and Common Errors
- Harness Attachment Point Strength Ratings: What the Numbers Actually Cover
Webbing, stitching, buckles and D-rings are checked before every use.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Harness Pre-Use Inspection template cover?
A dedicated fall-arrest harness inspection covering webbing, stitching, buckles and D-rings in line with EN 361.
What should be checked on the webbing during a pre-use inspection?
Cuts, fraying, chemical damage, UV degradation and any signs of stretching or stiffening that would indicate the webbing's strength has been compromised.
Why check D-rings specifically during a pre-use inspection?
D-rings are the harness's attachment points and take the full load in a fall, so any deformation, cracking or corrosion there directly affects whether the harness will perform when needed.
How often should this pre-use inspection be carried out?
Before every use, in addition to any periodic, more thorough inspection required by the manufacturer or your safety management system.