When it comes to the need of keeping records of inspections of fall arrest systems, the quick answer is yes. The employer is required to have them written on paper or electronically. Along with having them written down, you are also required to have the records filed to prove that they were inspected.

What is a Personal Fall Arrest System?

OSHA defines a personal fall arrest system in standard 1910.140 as, “personal fall arrest system means a system used to arrest an employee in a fall from a walking-working surface. It consists of a body harness, anchorage, and connector. The means of connection may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or a suitable combination of these.”

Most would classify a fall arrest system as several components working together to provide fall protection that are permanently or in long term use in a fixed position. Some examples include a rigid track overhead system inside of an aircraft hanger, a permanent horizontal lifeline system on a flat membrane roof or a vertical lifeline system attached to a fixed ladder. These systems are often exposed to elements for long periods of time making inspections very important.

What Qualifies Someone as a Competent Person?

A Competent Person needs to inspect, at minimum, your fall arrest systems annually. There are some questions as to whether it has to be a Competent Person that has to do the inspections or if a person trained by a Competent Person can do the inspections. It is always a good idea to err on the side of caution and have your Competent Person conduct the personal fall arrest system inspections.

OSHA defines a Competent Person as, “one who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them” [29 CFR 1926.32(f)]