Pre-Use Checks and Periodic Examinations

The safety of the user relies upon the continued efficiency and durability of the equipment. Therefore, pre-use checks shall be completed before each use. See Table 2 Pre-Use Checks for pre-use check information. Periodic examinations shall be completed by a person, other than the user, competent in the examination of PFLs, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The interval will be dictated by the usage, local regulations, and environmental conditions, and will be at least annually. See Table 3 Periodic Examination Interval for more information. A record shall be kept of the results of the examination.

Table 2 Pre-Use Checks

Pre-Use Checks Method
Load Indicator Ensure the load indicator has not been deployed. See the product label for examples of deployed load indicator.
Labels Ensure labels are present and legible.
Examination Date Ensure date of next examination has not elapsed. Ensure a periodic examination is not due as determined by a competent person. See Table 3 Periodic Examination Interval and product’s inspection checklist. .
General Condition and Lifeline Examine for signs of excessive damage, wear, corrosion or contamination. Inspect the full length of lifeline and verify that it has no broken, frayed, cut, abraded, or missing threads. Verify there are no reductions in width or thickness of the lifeline. Verify there are no smooth, discolored, shiny, hardened, or glazed areas of the lifeline that indicate exposure to heat or chemicals.
Energy Absorber Check energy absorber for signs of cuts, abrasion, tears, burns, mold, discoloration, or chemical damage. Verify the white tear webbing is not significantly exposed through the energy absorber cover.
Extraction and Retraction Inspect lifeline extraction and retraction by pulling the full length of the line out and letting it retract back into the housing in a controlled manner. Maintain a light tension on the lifeline while it retracts. The line operation must be smooth and unhesitant.
Lock-on Pull sharply on the lifeline – ensure device locks. Repeat three times.
Housing / Fasteners / Swivel

Examine the housing and verify there are no cracks, excessive signs of wear, or extreme discoloration. Verify that all fasteners are in place and secure. Verify that all fasteners, the swivel, and metal components adjacent to the swivel are in place, are secure and do not show signs of excessive damage, wear or corrosion. Verify the swivel and adjacent components can move freely.

Connectors Check for correct operation of connector and connector gate. Examine all connectors for signs of excessive damage, wear or corrosion. For Leading Edge units, ensure the harness connection pin is fully engaged, locked in place and properly routed under the harness webbing. Ensure no red marking is visible. For Overhead units, ensure the harness connection carabiner is properly connected to the harness and locked in place.

Table 3 Periodic Examination Interval

Usage Interval
Infrequent to light Annually (12 months)
Moderate to heavy Semi-annually to annually (6-12 months)
Severe to continuous Quarterly to semi-annually (3-6 months)

Usage shall be determined by a competent person. A competent person is defined as a person, other than the user, competent in the examination of PPE in accordance with MSA instructions.

The V-SHOCK PFL is V-SHOCK and V-SHOCK EDGE PFLs are not repairable. Maximum product life: Continued use is dependent upon passing pre-use checks and periodic examinations. Service life may be reduced by frequency and conditions of use or local regulations.

WARNING! 

  • PFLs shall not be altered or added to. No unauthorized repairs, modifications, alterations and/or additions are permitted.
  • PFLs that have arrested a fall or are unable to pass an inspection shall be tagged “UNUSABLE” and disposed of in accordance with local regulations.
  • Due to the nature of some fall arrest events, it is possible for the load indicator to not deploy. In the event that a PFL is subjected to fall arrest forces and the load indicator does not deploy, the PFL still must be removed from service and marked as “UNUSABLE” until it has been destroyed.
  • If the load indicator is deployed, immediately remove the PFL from service and mark it as “UNUSABLE” until it has been destroyed.

Failure to follow these warnings can result in serious personal injury or death.

Inspection Checklist

Model Number:   Serial Number:  
Date:   Inspector (Name / Signature):  
Date of Manufacture:   Date of Purchase:  
Date of First Use:   Date Due for Next Periodic Inspection:  
# Description Good—Safe for Use Good—Safe for Use Good—Safe for Use Good—Safe for Use Good—Safe for Use Good—Safe for Use Damaged, Worn, Altered, Missing—Remove from Service Comments
1 Load indicator                
2 Pin connector                
3 Bracket                
4 Housing / Fasteners                
5 Labels                
6 Energy absorber pouch                
7 Lifeline                
8 Snaphook                
  Lock on (ensure device locks)                
V-SHOCK PFL V-SHOCK EDGE PFL