Educational guidance on registers and logs — what each records, who maintains it, what it typically contains and how long it is generally kept. Informational only — template examples, not official documents or legal advice; a register documents activity, it does not by itself prove compliance, and employers remain responsible.
What a harness and lanyard register is
A harness and lanyard register is a controlled list of personal fall-protection equipment — full-body harnesses, lanyards, energy absorbers and connectors — recording each item’s identification, inspections and condition.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example of what such a register usually contains. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what their fall-protection records must cover, and inspections are a competent-person task.
Purpose
- Identify each harness, lanyard and connector in use.
- Record periodic inspections, condition and any defects.
- Ensure equipment that has arrested a fall or is damaged is withdrawn.
- Support safe work at height alongside the wider controls.
Who completes it
- A competent person carries out the detailed inspections.
- A supervisor or coordinator usually keeps the register.
- Users do pre-use checks before each use, reported separately.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure inspectors are competent.
When it is used
- When fall-protection equipment is issued or added.
- At the inspection intervals set by the employer.
- Immediately after a fall has been arrested or damage is found.
- On a review cycle to confirm nothing is overdue.
Typical fields
- Item ID, type, user or location and date in service.
- Inspection date, inspector and result.
- Condition of webbing, stitching, buckles and connectors.
- Defects found and action taken (e.g. withdrawn).
- Status: in use, quarantined or destroyed.
- These are example fields only — adapt them to your equipment and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Continuing to use equipment after a fall has been arrested.
- Pre-use checks not done or not reported.
- Damaged equipment not withdrawn and clearly removed from use.
- A register that does not match the equipment actually issued.
Document workflow
A harness and lanyard register works with the work-at-height risk assessment that decides what fall protection is needed, the PPE inspection register for wider equipment, and a defect report when an item fails. Equipment that has arrested a fall should be withdrawn and the register updated.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used before, alongside and after a harness and lanyard register.
Retention (high level)
Employers generally keep inspection records for fall-protection equipment for as long as it is in use and for a period afterwards, in line with their obligations. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Harness and lanyard registers are commonly stored and shared as PDFs for site records and audit. Exporting to PDF supports documentation; it does not make the register official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Issue and identify each item of fall-protection equipment.
- Ensure competent inspections and user pre-use checks both happen.
- Withdraw equipment after a fall or when damaged.
- Keep the register aligned with the PPE and work-at-height records.
Worker notes
- Inspect your harness and lanyard before each use.
- Never use equipment that is damaged or has arrested a fall.
- Report any damage so the item can be withdrawn.
Country considerations
Requirements for inspecting and managing fall-protection equipment vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a register is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for ensuring fall-protection equipment is suitable, inspected, maintained and withdrawn when unsafe, and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your register must contain, does not make a workplace compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
Free, printable HR & employment resources
Practical, ungated resources to put this into action — no signup.