Fall Arrest Lanyard Inspection Form

An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.

What a fall arrest lanyard inspection form is

A fall arrest lanyard inspection form is used to record checks of the lanyard that links a harness to an anchor — its webbing or rope, stitching, energy absorber and connectors — confirming it is in safe condition and has not been shock loaded.

This is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template; it is one part of the fall-protection system and the employer decides how the system is selected and inspected.

Purpose

• Confirm the lanyard webbing or rope is free of damage.
• Check the energy absorber pack is intact and not deployed.
• Check connectors, hooks and gates function and lock.
• Record pre-use and periodic checks.

Who completes it

• The user, for a pre-use check before each use.
• A competent person, for the recorded periodic inspection.
• A shock-loaded lanyard is withdrawn from use.
• The employer decides who is competent to inspect.

When it is used

• Before each use, as a pre-use check.
• On a periodic cycle for the recorded inspection.
• After any fall or shock load.

Typical fields

• Lanyard ID, type, user and date.
• Webbing or rope: cuts, fraying, abrasion, burns.
• Energy absorber pack intact and not deployed.
• Connectors, hooks and gates function and lock.
• Defects found and action taken, with sign-off.
• Example items only — adapt to the lanyard and manufacturer’s guidance.

Common mistakes

• Using a lanyard with a deployed or torn absorber.
• Continuing to use it after a fall or shock load.
• Choosing a lanyard length that allows a long free fall.
• No system to withdraw and quarantine failed lanyards.

Document workflow

A lanyard inspection sits alongside the harness, anchor and fall-arrest checks, the working-at-height risk assessment and the rescue plan. A failed check withdraws the lanyard; a fall triggers withdrawal of the whole system and an accident report.

See the related documents below for what is commonly used with and completed after a lanyard inspection.

Retention (high level)

Inspection records are typically retained for a period defined by the employer, the manufacturer’s guidance and any applicable rules. This page does not state a required period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.

Completing and sharing as a PDF

Inspections are commonly recorded and stored as PDFs with the equipment register. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the inspection official or guarantee compliance.

Employer checklist

• Provide a suitable lanyard as part of a complete system.
• Ensure pre-use checks and competent periodic inspections happen.
• Require withdrawal after any fall or shock load.
• Keep inspection records with the equipment register.

Worker notes

• Check the lanyard and absorber before use.
• Use a suitable length and anchor to limit any fall.
• Withdraw and report a lanyard that has arrested a fall.

Country considerations

Requirements for fall protection and inspection vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.

Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.

Who is responsible

The employer is responsible for safe work at height, suitable fall protection, inspection and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not make any lanyard safe and does not transfer responsibility.