If fall protection has been used, what must be done with it?

When fall protection equipment is used, it must be taken out of service to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. The primary reason for this is that any fall protection system, once deployed, may have been subjected to forces that could compromise its structural integrity or functionality. Even if no visible damage is apparent, the materials, such as harnesses or lanyards, could have micro-fractures or other defects that might not be immediately noticeable but could lead to failure during subsequent use.

The removal from service serves as a critical safety measure—any equipment that has potentially experienced a fall event should be thoroughly inspected or replaced according to the manufacturer's recommendations. This helps to prevent accidents during future uses. Proper practices involve inspecting such equipment, and if it's been used, it should either be repaired by qualified personnel or destroyed and replaced if necessary.

Maintaining robust safety protocols around fall protection equipment is essential in the entertainment industry, where working at heights is common. This ensures that all personnel remain as safe as possible during performances and rigging setups.