A harness is removed from service for reasons that a glance will not reveal: a stitch line that has begun to pull, a label that has become unreadable, a buckle that no longer seats fully. Inspection works when it is written down as a list of named points rather than left to judgement, and when the result is recorded so that the next person can see the history.
Two intervals apply. Pre-use inspection is done by the wearer before every job and takes under a minute. Periodic inspection is a more thorough examination carried out at a defined interval by a competent person. Both follow the same points; the periodic check adds the records and the electronics.
Webbing and stitching
Run the full length of every strap through your hands. Look for cuts, fraying, abrasion, burns, chemical staining, and any change in stiffness or colour. Pay attention to the stitch patterns: a stitch line that has begun to pull away from the fabric, or thread that is broken or loose, retires the harness. UV degradation shows as fading or a chalky surface on webbing that has been stored in sunlight.
Hardware
Check every buckle, D-ring, adjuster and connector for cracks, distortion, corrosion and sharp edges. Buckles must close and lock fully, and adjusters must grip without slipping when loaded by hand. Connector gates must open and self-close without sticking. A gate that does not close on its own is a defect even if it looks otherwise intact.
Labels and markings
The label carries the standard the harness was made to, the model, the size, the manufacturer, the date of manufacture and, where applicable, the serial number. A harness whose label is missing or unreadable cannot be verified against a standard or traced to a batch, so it is retired. The date of manufacture also drives the periodic inspection interval.
Monitoring electronics
On a monitored harness, add the electronics to the same walk-round. Confirm the unit powers on and completes its self-test, that the battery holds a charge through a shift, that the wear-detection sensor reports correctly when the harness is worn, and that the buckle or lanyard sensor changes state when opened and closed. Check the enclosure for cracks and the seal around any opening. A unit that passes mechanically but fails to report is a monitoring failure, not a harness failure, and both matter.
Record what you find, including “pass”. A signed line per harness per period turns inspection from a habit into evidence, and it is the first thing an auditor asks for. Where the result is a retirement, note the reason and remove the unit from service the same day.