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Free harness & lanyard inspection checklist

Free harness and lanyard inspection checklist as PDF or Excel (XLSX). Covers webbing, stitching, D-rings, buckles, shock absorber, labels and expiry.

Updated 10 Aug 2026

Harness & Lanyard Inspection Checklist

Inspect fall protection equipment: harness, lanyard, SRL: per AS/NZS 1891

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0 of 21 checks

Webbing

1No cuts, fraying or abrasion
2No chemical damage, burns or discolouration
3No UV degradation (chalking, stiffness)

Stitching

4No broken threads or pulled stitching
5Bar tacks intact and secure

D-Rings

6No corrosion, distortion or cracks
7Gate operation smooth (if fitted)

Buckles & Adjusters

8Buckles operate correctly, engage securely
9No corrosion or distortion on buckles / adjusters

Chest & Leg Straps

10Chest strap: condition good, buckle secure
11Leg straps: condition good, buckles secure, padding intact

Labels & Tags

12Labels legible: serial number, manufacture date visible
13Inspection tag current and attached

Webbing / Rope

14No cuts, abrasion, knots or chemical damage

Snap Hooks / Carabiners

15Gate opens, closes and locks correctly
16No corrosion, cracks or distortion

Shock Absorber

17Not deployed: no elongation or tear indicators showing

SRL (Self-Retracting Lifeline)

18Housing: no damage, cracks or dents
19Cable / webbing retracts smoothly and locks on sharp pull

Expiry

20Within 10-year service life (or manufacturer spec) from date of manufacture
21Within maximum in-service life from date first used (typically 5 years)

Inspector Sign-off

Signature

Print name

Date

Supervisor Acknowledgement

Signature

Print name

Date

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These templates are free general guides provided as-is. They do not constitute legal, safety or compliance advice. You are responsible for ensuring any form meets your specific workplace obligations, industry standards and applicable regulations.

Don't just download it - use it live. Start a free workspace with this harness & lanyard inspection checklist already built, so your crew can run it from a phone.

Jarrod Milford

Jarrod Milford

Co-Founder & Commercial Director

Updated 10 August 2026
Also see:Harness and ladder inspections →Compliance and inspections →Best inspection software →MapTrack vs SafetyCulture →

Short answer

A harness and lanyard inspection checklist records a competent person's documented check of a fall-arrest harness and its lanyard or SRL: webbing, stitching, hardware, shock absorber, labels and service life. Wearers also check before every use. AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 covers periodic inspection and maintenance; a six-monthly formal inspection is common practice, or sooner where the manufacturer says so.

Checked against AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates

Key takeaways

  • The MapTrack harness & lanyard inspection checklist contains 21 checks across 11 sections. Sections covered: Webbing, Stitching, D-Rings, Buckles & Adjusters, Chest & Leg Straps, Labels & Tags, Webbing / Rope, Snap Hooks / Carabiners, Shock Absorber, SRL (Self-Retracting Lifeline), Expiry.
  • The wearer checks the harness and lanyard before every use, and a competent person completes a formal documented inspection at least every six months or as the manufacturer specifies.
  • Flex the webbing in short sections to expose hidden cuts and abrasion, and check every bar tack and stitched junction for broken threads.
  • Check the shock absorber's deployment indicator, and remove any harness or lanyard from service after a fall, shock loading or chemical or heat exposure until it is inspected.
  • Service life differs between manufacturers, so check the instructions for each model, and a missing or illegible label means removal from service.
  • Tag failed equipment out of service and store it apart from serviceable gear so nobody picks it up by mistake.

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Saunders InternationalMineral ResourcesSupagasHacer GroupMetro TunnelUltrabuilt

What is a harness & lanyard inspection checklist?

A harness and lanyard inspection checklist is a form used to systematically examine every component of a fall protection harness and its connecting lanyard or self-retracting lifeline (SRL). The inspection covers webbing, stitching, D-rings, buckles, adjusters, labels, snap hooks, shock absorbers and expiry dates. Regular documented inspections by a competent person are essential to ensure that fall arrest equipment will perform as intended in the event of a fall. This template follows Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1891 series) and manufacturer guidelines for harness and lanyard inspection.

Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and serious injuries in Australia. A harness is the last line of defence when a worker falls, and a defective harness can fail catastrophically under the dynamic forces of a fall arrest. Documented inspections catch wear, damage and expiry before the equipment is relied upon, and the inspection record provides evidence of due diligence for audits, insurance requirements and regulator enquiries. AS/NZS 1891 sets specific criteria for the inspection, maintenance and retirement of industrial fall-arrest harnesses and lanyards. Manufacturers typically recommend formal inspection every six months by a competent person, in addition to pre-use checks by the wearer. Organisations that maintain a documented inspection register with serial-number traceability are better positioned to demonstrate compliance during regulator and insurance audits.

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Keep every harness, lanyard and ladder on one register with its inspection schedule and who has it: harness and ladder inspection software.

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Benefits of using this harness & lanyard inspection checklist

  • Life safety: catch damaged or worn components before the harness is relied on to arrest a fall.
  • Regulatory compliance: meet WHS obligations and AS/NZS 1891 requirements for regular documented inspection of fall arrest equipment.
  • Expiry tracking: ensure harnesses and lanyards are within their manufacturer service life and inspection intervals.
  • Consistency: a standardised checklist ensures every component is checked, regardless of who performs the inspection.
  • Audit trail: a signed inspection record supports safety audits, insurance requirements and regulator reviews.
  • Defect history: maintaining a log of inspections per harness reveals wear patterns, helping you plan replacements and budget for fall protection equipment.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you digitise harness checklists in MapTrack, you get:

  • Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
  • Email the right people when a form is submitted, with an automation you set up.
  • File every completed form against the asset, location or person it covers.
  • Download any completed form as a PDF, with failed answers listed at the top.
  • Fill in forms offline; they upload when the device is back online.
  • Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
  • Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
  • Electronic signatures.
  • Edit forms later without reprinting.
  • Set who can view, fill in or edit forms with user roles.
  • Upload a paper form (PDF, Word, Excel or a photo) and MapTrack's AI builds a digital version for you to check.
  • Email safety managers when a hazard report is submitted, with an automation you set up.
  • Keep every hazard and incident report against the site it came from, with photos.
  • Turn a hazard report into a corrective-action work order with its own review step.

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What to include in a harness & lanyard inspection checklist

This harness & lanyard inspection checklist covers 8 key areas:

  • Equipment details: harness ID/serial, manufacturer, model, date of manufacture, date first used.
  • Lanyard details: lanyard ID/serial, type (shock absorbing, SRL, restraint), length.
  • Inspector details: name, competency, date.
  • Harness inspection (P/F/N/A): webbing condition, stitching, D-rings, buckles and adjusters, chest strap, leg straps, labels and tags.
  • Lanyard inspection (P/F/N/A): webbing/rope condition, snap hooks/carabiners, shock absorber status, SRL housing and retraction, expiry check.
  • Overall result: Pass / Action Required / Fail (remove from service).
  • Defects table: failed items, action taken and date.
  • Inspector and supervisor sign-off: signatures with date.

How to use this harness & lanyard inspection checklist

  1. Record equipment details - harness serial number, manufacturer, model, dates. Do the same for the lanyard.: Note the serial number, manufacturer, model name, date of manufacture and date first used for both the harness and the lanyard or SRL. This data ties the inspection to the specific item and enables service life tracking across your fleet of fall protection equipment.
  2. Systematically inspect each harness component. Hold the webbing in both hands and flex it, looking for cuts, fraying, abrasion, burns or chemical damage. Check all stitching, D-rings, buckles and labels.: Work from the dorsal D-ring down each shoulder strap, across the chest strap and along both leg straps. Flex the webbing in short sections to expose hidden cuts or abrasion. Check every bar tack and stitched junction for broken or pulled threads. Inspect D-rings and buckles for corrosion, distortion or cracks.
  3. Inspect the lanyard - check webbing or rope, snap hooks (gate operation, locking), shock absorber (deployment indicator), and SRL housing and retraction.: For webbing lanyards, flex and visually inspect the full length. For rope lanyards, check for fraying, kinking or abrasion. Operate each snap hook gate to confirm it opens, closes and locks smoothly. Verify the shock absorber deployment indicator has not been activated. For SRLs, extend and retract the lifeline fully and check for smooth operation.
  4. Check expiry - confirm the equipment is within its manufacturer service life (typically 10 years from manufacture or 5 years from first use).: Cross-reference the manufacture date on the equipment label with the manufacturer stated service life. If the label is illegible or missing, the equipment must be removed from service. Record the calculated expiry date on the checklist so future inspectors can verify at a glance.
  5. If any item fails, record the defect, remove the equipment from service, and tag it as unserviceable. Do not return it to use until repaired or replaced.: Attach a red out-of-service tag to the item and physically separate it from serviceable equipment to prevent accidental use. Record the defect description and the action taken (sent for repair, condemned, replaced) on the checklist and in the asset register.
  6. Select the overall result, sign and date. Have the supervisor countersign.: A Pass means all components are in serviceable condition and within their service life. A Fail requires the item to be removed from service immediately. Sign and date the form, then have the site supervisor or safety officer countersign to confirm the inspection findings.

In MapTrack, you can digitise safety inspections and compliance forms. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.

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How often should you complete this checklist?

Workers should visually inspect their harness and lanyard before every use - a quick check for obvious damage, wear or missing components. A formal documented inspection (such as this checklist) should be completed by a competent person at least every 6 months, or more frequently as specified by the manufacturer. After any fall event, shock loading, or exposure to chemicals, heat or other damaging conditions, the equipment must be immediately removed from service and inspected before it can be returned to use. Always follow the manufacturer's inspection schedule and your organisation's safety management plan.

AS/NZS 1891.4:2025 sets scheduled periodic inspections by a competent person (clause 8.3), so check the current edition and the manufacturer instructions for the interval. Most manufacturers recommend six-monthly formal inspections. Pre-use checks by the wearer before each use are also required.

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Frequently asked questions

A harness inspection checklist should cover the harness identification (serial number, manufacturer, model, date of manufacture, date first used), and a systematic check of all components: webbing (cuts, fraying, abrasion, chemical damage, UV degradation), stitching (broken threads, pulled stitching, bar tacks), D-rings (corrosion, distortion, cracks, gate operation), buckles and adjusters (operation, corrosion, distortion), chest strap (condition, buckle), leg straps (condition, buckles, padding), and labels/tags (legibility, serial number, manufacture date, inspection tag currency). For lanyards: webbing or rope condition, snap hooks/carabiners (gate, lock, corrosion), shock absorber (not deployed, indicator not showing), SRL housing (no damage, retracts correctly), and expiry check. The overall result, any defects, and inspector sign-off should be recorded.

Under AS/NZS 1891 and Australian WHS requirements, harnesses and lanyards must be visually inspected by the user before every use. A formal documented inspection by a competent person should be completed at least every six months, or more frequently as specified by the manufacturer. After any fall event, shock loading, or exposure to chemicals, heat or UV, the equipment must be immediately withdrawn and inspected by a competent person before it can be returned to service.

Most manufacturers specify a service life of 10 years from the date of manufacture or 5 years from the date of first use, whichever comes first. However, the actual serviceable life depends on frequency of use, environmental exposure (UV, chemicals, heat, abrasion) and storage conditions. A harness that passes inspection may still be within its service life, but one that fails must be retired regardless of age. Always check the specific manufacturer guidelines for your equipment.

Yes. Download and use this harness and lanyard inspection checklist for free. It downloads as a ready-to-print PDF. No MapTrack account is required. If you want to track harness inspections digitally with serial number scanning, automated 6-monthly reminders and a full inspection history per item, MapTrack can help. Book a demo to see how.

A harness inspection is a visual and tactile check of all components (webbing, stitching, D-rings, buckles, labels) performed before each use and at formal intervals, typically every six months. It can be completed by any competent person trained in fall protection equipment inspection. A recertification is a more rigorous assessment carried out by the manufacturer or an authorised service agent, often involving load testing or component replacement. Recertification is not universally required under Australian Standards, but some manufacturers specify it as part of their ongoing service programme. Always follow the manufacturer guidelines for your specific equipment.

Remove them from service immediately. Safe Work Australia's falls Code of Practice says equipment that has arrested a fall should not be used again until a competent person has inspected it and certified it safe to use. Treat shock loading, or exposure to chemicals, heat or other damaging conditions, the same way. Check the shock absorber's deployment indicator as part of that inspection. Tag the items out of service and store them apart from serviceable equipment so nobody picks them up by mistake in the meantime.

Remove the harness from service. The label carries the serial number and manufacture date, which the inspection uses to work out whether the equipment is still within the service life set in the manufacturer's instructions. Service lives differ between manufacturers and models, so check the instructions rather than assuming a standard figure. Record the calculated expiry date on the checklist at each inspection, so the next inspector can see it at a glance.

Operate each snap hook gate to confirm it opens, closes and locks smoothly, and check for corrosion or distortion. For a self-retracting lifeline, extend and retract the line fully, checking for smooth operation, and inspect the housing for damage. For webbing or rope lanyards, check the full length for cuts, fraying, kinking or abrasion. Any failed item is tagged out of service until it is repaired or replaced.

Applicable regulatory standards

This template is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The template alone does not establish compliance.

  • Personal equipment for work at height, Part 4: Selection, use and maintenance

    Edition: AS/NZS 1891.4:2025

    Covers traceability, periodic inspection, maintenance and storage of harnesses and connecting equipment, the items this checklist records.

    • Section 8: Traceability, inspection, maintenance and storage of height safety equipment.
    • B.3: Periodic inspection of height safety equipment.
    • Section 4: Selection and use of harnesses.

    Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher

  • Model Work Health and Safety Regulations

    Edition: Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011)

    Sets the duty to manage fall risk, the order of fall controls, and rescue procedures where fall arrest is used.

    • Part 4.4: Falls: managing the risk of a fall from one level to another, fall controls and emergency and rescue procedures.
    • reg 79: Where a fall risk remains: fall prevention device first, then work positioning system, then fall arrest system.
    • reg 80: Where a fall arrest system is used, emergency and rescue procedures must be set up, tested and taught to relevant workers.

    Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)

  • Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces

    Edition: October 2018 version

    Model Code on managing the risk of falls. It has legal effect only where a jurisdiction approves it.

    Safe Work Australia

  • Personal equipment for work at height, Part 1: Manufacturing requirements for full body combination and lower body harnesses

    Edition: AS/NZS 1891.1:2020

    Manufacturing standard for harnesses. The 2020 edition replaced the 2007 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices title.

    Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher

Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.

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<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
  <p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
  <p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Harness &amp; lanyard inspection checklist</p>
  <ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Equipment details: harness ID/serial, manufacturer, model, date of manufacture, date first used.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Lanyard details: lanyard ID/serial, type (shock absorbing, SRL, restraint), length.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Inspector details: name, competency, date.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Harness inspection (P/F/N/A): webbing condition, stitching, D-rings, buckles and adjusters, chest strap, leg straps, labels and tags.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Lanyard inspection (P/F/N/A): webbing/rope condition, snap hooks/carabiners, shock absorber status, SRL housing and retraction, expiry check.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Overall result: Pass / Action Required / Fail (remove from service).</li>
  </ul>
  <p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/harness-lanyard-inspection-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Harness &amp; lanyard inspection checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>

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The MapTrack harness & lanyard inspection checklist contains 21 checks across 11 sections.

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MapTrack Harness & lanyard inspection checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/harness-lanyard-inspection-checklist
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MapTrack. (2026). Harness & lanyard inspection checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/harness-lanyard-inspection-checklist

Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/harness-lanyard-inspection-checklist.

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