Safety Harness Inspection Quiz: Spot Webbing Damage
Use this safety harness inspection quiz to practice spotting webbing damage, verify D-ring fit, and check lanyards and buckles before a shift. Learn what to look for when bending the webbing so small cuts stand out. For more training, try the fall protection quiz, sharpen PPE basics with the OSHA ppe quiz, or review jobsite risks with scaffolding safety questions.
Study Outcomes
- Understand why bending the webbing is a good way to notice damages -
Learn how flexing the harness webbing reveals hidden cuts, abrasions, and UV degradation for a thorough safety check.
- Apply a structured harness inspection checklist -
Follow a step-by-step harness inspection checklist covering buckles, straps, and attachment points to ensure full compliance and safety.
- Analyze D-ring position and condition -
Inspect D-ring alignment, secure attachment, and absence of deformation to confirm proper functionality before use.
- Evaluate lanyard condition for wear or defects -
Detect fraying, corrosion, and missing components in the lanyard to prevent potential failures during climbing activities.
- Demonstrate recognition of common webbing damage types -
Identify signs of abrasion, heat exposure, chemical damage, and cuts during inspections to maintain harness integrity.
- Utilize safety harness inspection quiz techniques to build confidence -
Reinforce your inspection skills and accuracy through our safety harness inspection quiz before heading on your next climb.
Cheat Sheet
- Webbing Damage Detection with Bending -
The technique known as bending the webbing is a good way to notice damages because folds reveal hidden cuts or UV damage that remain invisible under straight tension. For example, bending a 6-inch segment between your fingers can highlight frayed fibers or subtle discoloration under good lighting. OSHA 1926.502(d)(15) recommends this quick pre-use check to catch early wear.
- Harness Inspection Checklist Mastery -
A structured harness inspection checklist ensures every buckle, strap, D-ring and lanyard is examined from top to toe without skipping steps. After memorizing the "HEAD-TO-TOE" mnemonic, test your recall with a brief safety harness inspection quiz to solidify knowledge. ANSI Z359.11 guidelines stress the importance of consistent documentation after each inspection.
- Buckles and Stitching Integrity -
Examine buckles by applying moderate torque and looking for gaps, cracks or corrosion; any deformation could compromise engagement. Inspect stitching for pulled or missing threads - ANSI Z359.1 requires a minimum three rows of lockstitch, which you can remember as "3x3 keeps you debris-free." A single irregular stitch flag should prompt immediate equipment removal.
- D-ring Position Inspection -
Proper D-ring position inspection means ensuring the dorsal D-ring sits between your shoulder blades and the sternal D-ring rests at mid-chest for optimal load distribution (ANSI Z359.11). Look for ring distortion, weld cracks or surface pitting by running a gloved finger along edges. Mnemonic: "Back and Chest, D's in their Nest."
- Lanyard Condition Check -
Conduct a lanyard condition check by examining energy absorbers for deployed or torn shock packs, frays or chemical damage, and verify that connectors latch smoothly. Use the 5-second squeeze test on connector gates to ensure proper spring tension and alignment without warping. Manufacturer manuals like those from DBI-Sala recommend this test before every ascent.