Service life for Capital Safety Personal Protective Equipment

As stated in European Standard EN 365, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) against fall from height must be inspected at least once every twelve months by a competent person who, in some cases, will involve sending the item back to a trained service agent, who will decide whether the equipment is suitable to be placed back into service. Depending upon the type and environment of work, inspection may be needed to be carried out more frequently than once per year, and inspection is always to be carried out inline with country or local requirements.

Textile products products containing textile element

A textile product or element may lose its characteristics with time. This is especially true for products which are subjected to climate corrosion, sunlight deterioration, chemicals, mechanical contact, and dirt ingress. In these cases all products will undergo accelerated ageing.
General estimates of the lifespan of textile products are dependent in its use and environment, as well as it’s correctly storage while not in use

• . Up to a maximum 10 years from the date of manufacture.

• . Used rarely: 6 to 8 years from the date of first use.

• . Used regularly: up to 5 years from the date of first use.

• . Very heavily and/or in aggressive areas: less than 1 year from the date of first use.

Mechanical products, Self Retracting Lifelines

For mechanical products that require mechanical servicing during inspection which allows the replacement of components:
*No service life limit as long as the recommended servicing and repair is undertaken and documented by a CSG trained competent person.
For mechanical products that can not be serviced during inspection so the internal mechanism can not be checked.
*Up to a maximum 10 years from the date of manufacture.
*If the product has a textile element for the lifeline or shock absorber, the rules of textile products should be followed.

Permanently​ Installed Fall Arrest Anchorage​  Systems

For permanent systems, such as horizontal or vertical cable systems

• . No service life limit providing that the recommended service schedule is Up kept, and the maintenance is performed by a CSG trained competent person.

The shuttle or sleeve used to connect to these systems:

• . Must undergo an annual inspection in line with the whole system.

• . No service life limit as long as the recommended servicing and repair is undertaken and documented by a CSG trained competent person.

*If the product has a textile element for example shock absorber the rules of textile products should be followed.

Temporary Fall Arrest Anchorage Systems

For temporary anchorage systems, such as removable eyebolts and temporary horizontal cable systems

• . No service life limit providing that the recommended service schedule is up kept, and the maintenance is performed by a CSG trained competent person.

For temporary horizontal or vertical systems manufactured from webbing or rope .
*.The rules of textile products should be followed.
*The travelling units for these systems are governed by the same rules as apply to the permanent systems.

For Vacuum Anchors:

No service life limit providing that the recommended service schedule is up kept, and the maintenance is performed by a CSG trained competent person.

Tom Wolner, ME, PE V.P. of Engineering Capital Safety Group