Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > General Knowledge & Mixed

Safety Harness Inspection Quiz: Spot Webbing Damage

Quick, free quiz to check your harness webbing inspection skills. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Steven HassenzahlUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style safety harness webbing D ring lanyard on dark blue background inviting inspection quiz

Use this safety harness inspection quiz to practice spotting webbing damage, verify D-ring fit, and check lanyards and buckles before a shift. Learn what to look for when bending the webbing so small cuts stand out. For more training, try the fall protection quiz, sharpen PPE basics with the OSHA ppe quiz, or review jobsite risks with scaffolding safety questions.

What visual sign typically indicates abrasion wear on safety harness webbing?
Loose stitching
A burnt smell
A shiny or glossy area
A chemical odor
Abrasion wear polishes the webbing fibers, creating shiny or glossy patches that are thinner than the surrounding material. These spots indicate the protective fibers have been worn down and may have lost strength. Regular inspection for these areas helps prevent failure under load.
How often should you inspect a safety harness before use?
Weekly
Before each use
Monthly
Annually
OSHA and ANSI standards require users to perform a pre-use inspection of their harness before every use, checking webbing, hardware, and labels. Frequent checks help catch damage early and prevent accidents. Detailed inspections by a competent person occur at longer intervals.
What is the primary attachment point on a safety harness for connecting a lanyard?
Carabiner
Snap hook
Load indicator
D-ring
The dorsal D-ring is the designated anchor point on most full-body harnesses for attaching a lanyard or lifeline. It is designed to align the force of a fall with the user's center of gravity. Snap hooks or carabiners are hardware used to connect lanyards to the D-ring.
Which color change often signals UV degradation on webbing?
White or bleached appearance
Dark brown patches
Bright red streaks
Blackened spots
UV exposure breaks down polymer fibers in webbing and causes bleaching or a chalky white appearance. This degradation reduces tensile strength and flexibility. Inspectors should reject webbing that shows these signs.
Which sign typically indicates chemical damage on webbing?
Rust particles
Uniform fading
Discoloration or staining
Loose fibers only at edges
Chemical exposure often causes localized discoloration or staining on webbing, and can make fibers brittle or softened. Unlike UV fading, chemical damage can appear in irregular patches. Any chemical-stained webbing should be removed from service.
What indicates that the harness stitching may be compromised?
Broken or frayed stitches
A smooth finish on webbing
A small amount of dust
Flaring of webbing tails
Stitching integrity is vital for load distribution; broken or frayed threads can lead to seam failure under load. Inspectors should look for loose, missing, or uneven stitches. Any compromised stitching requires removal of the harness from service.
When inspecting a D-ring, what should you always check for?
Bright polish finish
Distortion of shape
Loose webbing ends
Correct engraving
A D-ring must maintain its original shape to handle loads safely. Distortion or bending can indicate that the hardware has been overloaded or damaged. Even slight warping can compromise strength and lead to failure.
What is the maximum acceptable condition regarding core fiber exposure on webbing?
Exposure only on edges
No exposure of core fibers
Exposure less than 1 mm width
Up to 10% exposure
Any exposure of core fibers indicates that the protective sheath is worn through, compromising tensile strength. Standards require that webbing remain intact without visible core fibers. If core fibers are visible, the harness must be removed from service.
Which condition indicates that the lanyard shock absorber has been deployed in a fall?
No change in lanyard length
Uniform webbing color
Elongation beyond the specified pack length
Stitch patterns intact and tight
Shock absorbers are designed to tear open under load, extending the lanyard and reducing deceleration forces. If the pack has elongated beyond its original length, it indicates deployment. Such lanyards must be removed and replaced.
What does the load indicator on a shock-absorbing lanyard reveal?
Temperature extremes experienced
The user's body weight
Whether the shock absorber has been activated
The age of the lanyard
Load indicators are designed to change appearance - often showing a red marker - when a fall has occurred and the shock pack has activated. This helps inspectors promptly identify lanyards that need removal. Regular checks of the indicator ensure continued protection.
Which type of damage is most commonly caused by heat exposure on webbing?
Rust formation
Localized melting or brittleness
UV-induced fading
Uniform chemical staining
Heat can melt thermoplastic fibers or make them brittle, reducing their load-bearing capacity. Look for hardened, glossy spots or stiff areas on the webbing. Such damage is irreversible and requires harness retirement.
Which tool provides the most accurate measurement of webbing thickness during an inspection?
Visual gauge
Micrometer
Tape measure
Ruler
A micrometer can measure thickness to within thousandths of an inch or hundredths of a millimeter, ensuring precise detection of unacceptable thinning. Visual gauges and rulers lack the accuracy needed for safety-critical webbing inspections. Accurate measurement helps detect wear before failure.
According to ANSI/ASSP A10.32 and ANSI Z359.2, how often must a competent person perform a detailed inspection of a harness?
Every six months
At least monthly
Every three years
Every use
ANSI standards recommend that a competent person perform a thorough harness inspection at least once a month, in addition to pre-use checks. This detailed inspection evaluates webbing, hardware, and labels against manufacturer criteria. Consistent intervals help ensure long-term safety.
Under EN 354 standards, what is the maximum acceptable elongation of webbing under a 450 N tensile load?
10% of original length
20% of original length
30% of original length
5% of original length
EN 354 specifies that webbing used in lanyards must not elongate more than 10% under a 450 N load to ensure stability and minimal stretch during use. Excessive stretch can increase fall distance and impact force. Compliance with EN 354 is crucial for worker safety in Europe.
0
{"name":"What visual sign typically indicates abrasion wear on safety harness webbing?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What visual sign typically indicates abrasion wear on safety harness webbing?, How often should you inspect a safety harness before use?, What is the primary attachment point on a safety harness for connecting a lanyard?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Understand why bending the webbing is a good way to notice damages -

    Learn how flexing the harness webbing reveals hidden cuts, abrasions, and UV degradation for a thorough safety check.

  2. Apply a structured harness inspection checklist -

    Follow a step-by-step harness inspection checklist covering buckles, straps, and attachment points to ensure full compliance and safety.

  3. Analyze D-ring position and condition -

    Inspect D-ring alignment, secure attachment, and absence of deformation to confirm proper functionality before use.

  4. Evaluate lanyard condition for wear or defects -

    Detect fraying, corrosion, and missing components in the lanyard to prevent potential failures during climbing activities.

  5. Demonstrate recognition of common webbing damage types -

    Identify signs of abrasion, heat exposure, chemical damage, and cuts during inspections to maintain harness integrity.

  6. Utilize safety harness inspection quiz techniques to build confidence -

    Reinforce your inspection skills and accuracy through our safety harness inspection quiz before heading on your next climb.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Webbing Damage Detection with Bending -

    The technique known as bending the webbing is a good way to notice damages because folds reveal hidden cuts or UV damage that remain invisible under straight tension. For example, bending a 6-inch segment between your fingers can highlight frayed fibers or subtle discoloration under good lighting. OSHA 1926.502(d)(15) recommends this quick pre-use check to catch early wear.

  2. Harness Inspection Checklist Mastery -

    A structured harness inspection checklist ensures every buckle, strap, D-ring and lanyard is examined from top to toe without skipping steps. After memorizing the "HEAD-TO-TOE" mnemonic, test your recall with a brief safety harness inspection quiz to solidify knowledge. ANSI Z359.11 guidelines stress the importance of consistent documentation after each inspection.

  3. Buckles and Stitching Integrity -

    Examine buckles by applying moderate torque and looking for gaps, cracks or corrosion; any deformation could compromise engagement. Inspect stitching for pulled or missing threads - ANSI Z359.1 requires a minimum three rows of lockstitch, which you can remember as "3x3 keeps you debris-free." A single irregular stitch flag should prompt immediate equipment removal.

  4. D-ring Position Inspection -

    Proper D-ring position inspection means ensuring the dorsal D-ring sits between your shoulder blades and the sternal D-ring rests at mid-chest for optimal load distribution (ANSI Z359.11). Look for ring distortion, weld cracks or surface pitting by running a gloved finger along edges. Mnemonic: "Back and Chest, D's in their Nest."

  5. Lanyard Condition Check -

    Conduct a lanyard condition check by examining energy absorbers for deployed or torn shock packs, frays or chemical damage, and verify that connectors latch smoothly. Use the 5-second squeeze test on connector gates to ensure proper spring tension and alignment without warping. Manufacturer manuals like those from DBI-Sala recommend this test before every ascent.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Business & Industry Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker