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.
| 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 to both web and cable lifeline PFLs. For Cable - Inspect entire length of the lifeline for kinks, bends, broken wires, birdcaging, corrosion, damaged splices or damaged thimbles. Damage to the cable can significantly impact the performance. Verify there are no reductions in diameter of the lifeline. Check all fasteners for loosening or damage, including center shaft. For Web - 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. |
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) |
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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. |
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The V-TEC 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.
Hazards
WARNING!
| • | Use caution when working around moving machinery. Chemical hazards, heat, and corrosion may damage the PFL. Any chemical exposure should be avoided, if possible. All chemical hazards should be accounted for prior to beginning work. |
| • | More frequent formal inspections are required in environments with chemical hazards, heat, and corrosion. As with all chemical exposures, consult the safety officer for review and recommendations for decontamination. Cleaning is strongly suggested - reference specific product cleaning guidance. |
| • | Prior to use, the end user is responsible for testing the product in the environment and conditions in which it will be used. |
Failure to follow these warnings can result in serious personal injury or death.
The below chart should only be used as general guidance for product selection and does not indicate all possible chemical exposures in the environment. Resistance ratings in the chart are determined for the materials relative to each other.
| Chemical | Resistance | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon | Polyester | Stainless Steel (304) | Galvanized Steel | |
| Strong acid (dilute) | Poor | Good | Fair | Poor |
| Strong acid (conc.) | Poor | Poor | Poor | Poor |
| Weak acid (dilute) | Poor | Good | Good | Poor |
| Weak acid (conc.) | Poor | Good | Poor | Poor |
| Strong alkali (dilute) | Good | Poor | Good | Poor |
| Strong alkali (conc.) | Fair | Poor | Fair | Poor |
| Weak alkali (dilute) | Good | Fair | Good | Fair |
| Weak alkali (conc.) | Good | Poor | Fair | Poor |
| Alcohol | Good | Fair | Good | Good |
| Aldehyde | Good | Poor | Good | Good |
| Ether | Good | Poor | Good | Good |
| Halogenated Hydrocarbons | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Phenols | Poor | Poor | Good | Good |
| Bleaching agents | Poor | Good | Fair | Poor |
| Ketones | Good | Poor | Good | Fair |
| Lubricating Oils & Greases | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Soaps & Detergents | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Seawater | Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
| Aromatic Solvents | Good | Poor | Good | Good |