When you're shopping for safety harnesses, there are a lot of different things you need to take into consideration. How many connection points do you need? Do you need full body support? Does the harness need to be high visibility, or maybe fire resistant?
Another question you may have found yourself pondering is how long your new safety harness will last. Do fall protection harnesses expire?
Well, if you're looking for an answer to that question, you're in the right place!
When Do Safety Harnesses Expire?
Before we answer this question, we must stress that different safety harnesses have different lifespans. Before purchasing a harness, be sure to check the manufacturer's information for that specific harness.
To give you a rough idea of what you can expect from a high-quality safety harness, here's some information on Kratos safety harnesses (again, please note that this does NOT apply to all of the harnesses we sell).
The service life of Kratos Safety products is 10 years for all products that have 'at least one textile component', which includes harnesses. It's worth noting that a ten-year lifespan is counted from the date on which the product is first put into use. So if you start using your Kratos harness in the year 2022, it should last until 2032.
Types of Use
When you're considering the relative lifespans of different safety harnesses, there's one other important factor to take into consideration: each product's intended type of use.
The estimated lifespan of a safety harness is only applicable if the harness is being used for its intended purpose. A harness that's only intended for occasional use may not live up to its expected lifespan if used frequently.
Here are the different types of use:
1. Occasional to Regular
Harnesses that are intended for 'occasional to regular' use should only be used infrequently in order to achieve the optimum lifespan. Kratos harnesses that fall into this category should be inspected every 12 months.
2. Frequent or Occasional in an Aggressive Environment
If your Kratos harness has the use type 'frequent or occasional in an aggressive environment', you should use your harness as directed and inspect it every 6 months to ensure that everything is as it should be.
3. Intensive or in Frequently in an Aggressive Environment
If your harness falls into this category, it is recommended that you inspect your harness every 3 months.
To ensure that your safety harness lives up to its expected lifespan, it's important not only that you use it as intended by the manufacturer and inspect it as regularly as recommended, but also that you treat your equipment with respect and store it appropriately.
Store your safety harness away from damp, as that can be massively damaging to material and webbing. Clean it whenever necessary by gently soaping it down with warm water. Lather the straps and rinse using clean water, then hang it somewhere dry (away from open flames and direct heat sources).
If you have any questions about the lifespan of any of our products, how to care and store for your harnesses, or about anything else harness-related, don't hesitate to reach out and contact the Safety Harness Direct team. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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READ MORE: How Often Should a Safety Harness Be Inspected?
