Can You Write On Fall Protection Harness? (Let’s Clear It Up)

Let me tell you something I’ve seen more times than I can count: a worker opens a brand-new, still-crisp fall protection harness… and before even adjusting the chest strap, he whips out a fat black marker and writes his name in giant letters across the shoulder strap.

And then everybody on site starts asking the same question:

“Is it okay to write on a fall protection harness?”

Honestly? It depends.

And the answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no”—but I’ve been around long enough, and I’ve seen enough harnesses ruined by overzealous markings, that I can give you the real-world version of the answer.

Not the textbook version. Not the stuffy safety-manual version. The “I’ve worn harnesses every day for years, and I know what works and what gets you in trouble” version.

So let’s talk about it.

Why People Want to Write on Their Harnesses in the First Place

Before we even talk about rules, let’s be honest: writing on your harness is convenient.
Workers do it for a reason.

Here’s what I’ve seen:

✔ Everyone’s harnesses look the same

Especially during training classes or site orientations. Twenty people show up, twenty harnesses get handed out, and suddenly nobody remembers which one they grabbed first.

✔ People get tired of coworkers “borrowing” their gear

This happens daily on jobsites.
You hang your harness on your locker or on your hook in the gang box… and by lunch it magically disappears and someone else is wearing it.

✔ Labels fade, peel, or get torn

Most harness tags don’t survive long. After a few months of sweat, rain, sun, and friction, the label looks like it survived a war. Writing your initials helps you identify your harness quickly.

✔ It’s faster than filling out an inspection log

A quick “JP-07” marked on the end of a strap can help you match your harness to its entry in the equipment log.

So I get it.
Workers aren’t trying to break rules—they’re just trying to keep track of their gear.

But convenience doesn’t always mean it’s safe… or allowed

Does Writing on a Harness Make It Unsafe? Let’s Clear Up the Myths

One of the oldest rumors on jobsites is this:

“Writing on the webbing weakens the harness.”

Guys repeat this like gospel, but most don’t know where it came from.

Here’s the truth:

Ink from a normal marker does NOT magically destroy polyester webbing.

Polyester fibers are incredibly tough. They’re designed to handle thousands of pounds of force during a fall arrest. A few milligrams of Sharpie ink won’t dissolve them.

BUT…
there are a few things you DO need to watch out for:

⚠ Some industrial markers use solvents

Certain paints, inks, or industrial markers have chemicals that can weaken fibers over time—especially if you soak the webbing.

⚠ If you write over stitching, it can hide damage

A major part of harness inspection is spotting broken threads, frayed stitching, or cuts. Writing over stitching makes this much harder.

⚠ Covering the label can void the harness

If an inspector can’t read the label, the harness becomes “questionable”—and questionable usually means “remove from service.”

So no—writing doesn’t usually “weaken” a harness.
But writing in the wrong place can make it fail inspection, which is basically the same thing.

Safe vs Unsafe Areas to Write on a Fall Protection Harness

Safe to Write On	Why It’s Safe	Unsafe to Write On	Why It’s Unsafe
Inside of shoulder strap	Hidden, non-load-bearing	Labels / Tag	Covers inspection info; makes harness non-compliant
End of leg strap (loose end)	Easy to identify, away from stitching	Load-bearing stitching	Hides thread damage; inspection failure
Back D-ring plate (plastic)	Doesn’t affect webbing	Shock pack / energy absorber	Can hide deployment indicators
Inside of waist strap	Protected, low stress	Main torso straps under tension	Writing here risks covering damage
Extra non-structural webbing tabs	Not weight-bearing	Hardware connectors / metal parts	Writing may hide cracks or manufacturer details

Acceptable vs Not Acceptable Markings

Acceptable Markings	Reason	Not Acceptable Markings	Reason
Initials (e.g., “JP”)	Small, non-intrusive	Large graffiti names	Covers too much surface area
Employee number	Helps with ID tracking	Drawings, logos	Distracts from inspection
Harness ID / serial match	Supports equipment logs	Offensive words / phrases	Unprofessional & often prohibited
Small inspection code	Helps simplify inventory	Phone numbers / big text blocks	Too large; may hide damage
Crew / department initials	Useful for group gear	Anything over 2 inches wide	Excessive, may interfere with inspection

What OSHA and Harness Manufacturers Actually Say

Let’s keep this simple.

OSHA:

They don’t have a rule that directly says,
“Thou shalt not write on thy harness.”

Nothing like that.

OSHA stays more general. They say employers must use fall protection equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

And that’s where things get serious.

Manufacturers:

They’re the ones who decide whether writing on the harness is permitted, because they designed and tested it.

Most manufacturers fall into one of three categories:

1. “You can write on it, but only in approved areas.”

They typically allow marking:

• on the inside of straps
• on non-load-bearing areas
• on plastic hardware, like the D-ring plate
• on the ends of straps, away from stitching

This is the most common stance.

2. “Limited marking only.”

Some manufacturers allow only initialing, and only with a fine-tip marker.

3. “No marking at all.”

A few are strict and don’t want writing anywhere.
They claim it could void warranties or interfere with inspections.

If you’re not sure, check the little booklet that came with your harness… you know, the one nobody reads. Manufacturers always include that instruction in there.

Manufacturer Stance	Description	What Workers Can Do
Allows marking in approved areas	Most common policy	Write on strap ends, inside areas, plastic plates
Limited marking only	Very strict instructions	Initials only, fine-tip marker
No marking allowed	Rare but exists	Use ID tags, labels, or sleeves instead

So Where Can You Write on a Harness?

Okay, now let me tell you what we do on real jobsites — the stuff that’s worked for years without anyone getting written up or failing an inspection.

Here’s where it’s generally safe to mark:

✔ Inside of the shoulder strap

It’s hidden, protected, and not a load-bearing area.

✔ End of the leg strap (loose flap part)

This is one of the most common places people put initials.

✔ Back D-ring plate (plastic or metal plate)

Perfect for labels or small initials.

✔ Inside of the waist strap

As long as it doesn’t interfere with adjusting it.

✔ On a small fabric tab away from stitching

Some harnesses have little extra webbing pieces that aren’t structural.

And here’s where you NEVER write:

❌ On the labels

This is the #1 thing that gets people in trouble.
If you cover or damage the label, your harness is basically done.

❌ Across the load-bearing stitching

Those pretty rows of threads? Yeah, inspectors look at those.

❌ On the shock-absorbing lanyard cover

NEVER write on or modify anything connected to a shock pack.

❌ Anywhere the manufacturer warns against

Simple rule: If they made the harness, trust their instructions.

This isn’t just “rules.”
It’s common sense backed by years of experience.

What You Should Write (and What You Shouldn’t)

If you have to write on your harness, keep it simple.

✔ Good things to write:

• Your initials (JB, MT, RP…)
• Your employee ID number
• A small equipment tracking number
• A tiny inspection code (if your company uses them)

❌ Bad things to write:

• Big graffiti-style names
• Drawings or large letters covering the webbing
• Phone numbers
• Jokes or offensive words (yes, I’ve seen this)
• Anything over 1–2 inches wide
• Anything that covers tags or stitching

If you’re writing so much that the harness starts looking like a middle-school notebook, you’ve gone too far.

Better Alternatives Than Writing Directly on the Harness

Here’s the part nobody tells you—but every experienced safety guy knows.

There are better options than taking a Sharpie to your gear.

✔ 1. Zip-tie ID tags

Attach it to the D-ring or strap end. Easy and removable.

✔ 2. ID sleeves or pouches

Some harness brands actually sell official ID pockets made for this.

✔ 3. Manufacturer-approved stickers

Certain brands allow small adhesive labels on the plastic D-ring plate only.

✔ 4. Color-coded Velcro wraps

Great for identifying departments, crews, or training groups.

✔ 5. A proper inspection log with serial numbers

Not fancy, but reliable.

Writing is always the last resort, not the first.

Alternative Method	Strengths	Weaknesses
Zip-tie ID tags	Cheap, removable, easy	Can break or be lost
ID sleeves / pouches	Designed for harnesses	Costs more
Approved stickers on D-ring plate	Clean, visible	Limited space
Color-coded wraps	Great for crew identification	Not good for detailed info
Inspection log with serial numbers	Official & reliable	Requires daily discipline

What Happens if You Write on the Wrong Part of the Harness?

Let me paint you a real picture.

A worker once wrote his name across the chest strap… big, bold letters, thick marker, right across the stitching. The harness looked like a billboard.

During a routine inspection, our competent person took one look at it and said:

“Nope. Pull it.”

Why?

Because:

• stitching was covered
• the label was partially marked over
• the webbing was saturated with ink
• the identification tag couldn’t be read clearly

That worker lost a $150 harness because someone told him writing was “fine.”

Moral of the story:
Writing isn’t dangerous… but writing in the wrong place absolutely is.

So… Can You Write on a Fall Protection Harness? Here’s the Real Answer.

Let’s wrap it up in plain language — the way I’d explain it to a new guy on the job.

✔ Yes, you CAN write on a harness…

…but ONLY in the right spots, with the right marker, and without covering anything important.

✔ You MUST follow the manufacturer’s guidelines

They determine what’s acceptable.

✔ Never write over stitching, labels, or load-bearing areas

Those are deal-breakers.

✔ Use initials or small ID marks, not giant artwork

Keep it simple, keep it readable.

✔ If in doubt, use a tag or sticker instead

It’s safer and avoids headaches during inspection.

At the end of the day, your harness is what keeps you from hitting the ground.
Treat it with the same respect you’d treat anything that’s supposed to save your life.

Write on it if you need to…
Just do it smartly.