How Long Does a Fall Protection Harness Last? (When to Retire)

If you’ve ever picked up your safety harness, looked at the frayed webbing or faded label, and asked yourself, “Is this thing still safe to use?” — you’re not alone.

I’ve worked around fall protection long enough to know that almost everyone has the same question, but nobody gets a straight answer.

Some guys say harnesses only last 3 years.
Others swear theirs is still good after a decade.
Then you’ve got the supervisors who shrug and say, “As long as it looks fine.”

And if you check OSHA?
Well… OSHA doesn’t even give a specific expiration date for harnesses.

So what’s the real answer?

Let me give it to you straight — not from a rulebook, but from real jobsite experience and what I’ve learned from actually using, inspecting, and retiring harnesses over the years.

The Real Answer: It Depends (And I Know You Hate That)

I know “it depends” sounds like a lazy answer, but stick with me because it’s the truth.

Fall protection harnesses don’t have a universal shelf life.
OSHA doesn’t say, “Replace your harness every 5 years” or anything like that.
But manufacturers do give guidance, and your work environment also plays a huge role.

Here’s the honest, real-world expectation:

• If you take good care of your harness: it can last 5–10 years.
• If you use it daily in a harsh environment: expect 3–5 years.
• If you abuse it or store it terribly: I’ve seen harnesses fail in less than a year.

So the lifespan isn’t a fixed number.
It comes down to one thing:

The condition of the harness — not its birthday.

And that’s exactly how OSHA looks at it.

Why Harness Lifespan Isn’t Just About Age

Let me explain this in a simple way.

Imagine two harnesses:

Harness A:

• Used once a week
• Stored in a clean locker
• Kept out of the sun
• Cleaned occasionally
• Inspected regularly
  This one might last 7, 8, maybe even 10 years.

Harness B:

• Used daily on a construction site
• Tossed in a dusty truck bed
• Baked in the sun
• Soaked during rain
• Covered in grime
  This one might be lucky to last 2 years.

Same product.
Different lifespan.
Because condition is everything.

Harness Lifespan Based on Usage & Conditions

Not all harnesses age the same. A harness that lives in a clean warehouse can last nearly a decade, while one used on a sunny rooftop might barely survive a couple of years.

How long yours actually lasts comes down to how often you use it, where you use it, and how well you treat it. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can realistically expect.

Usage Condition	Typical Lifespan	Why It Lasts This Long
Indoor/warehouse use	7–10 years	Minimal UV, less dirt, controlled environment
Occasional use (maintenance)	5–8 years	Light wear, proper storage
Daily construction use	3–5 years	Sun, dust, abrasion, heavy movement
Roofing or outdoor work	2–4 years	Intense UV exposure, heat, weather
Neglected or poorly stored	<1–2 years	Sun, moisture, chemicals, physical abuse

Factors That Affect Harness Lifespan

A harness doesn’t just wear out because of time—it wears out because of what you put it through. Sun, dirt, chemicals, rough storage, daily use… all of these things quietly chip away at its strength.

If you’ve ever wondered why one harness lasts years while another dies in a few months, here are the biggest factors that make or break its lifespan.

Factor	Effect on Lifespan	Notes
Proper storage	Extends	Locker, gear bag, away from sun
Daily use	Reduces	More abrasion and stress
Exposure to sunlight	Reduces	UV weakens fibers
Exposure to chemicals/oils	Reduces	Breaks down nylon & stitching
Clean environment	Extends	Less contamination/dirt
High-quality harness	Extends	Better materials, thicker webbing
Cheap harness	Reduces	Lower-grade stitching & hardware

Cleaning & Storage Effects on Harness Lifespan

How you clean and store your harness can stretch its lifespan—or destroy it without you even realizing it.

A quick rinse, the wrong soap, or tossing it in the back of a truck can shorten its life fast. Store it right, clean it gently, and you can easily add years to it. Here’s how much your habits really matter.

Storage Method	Effect on Harness	Lifespan Impact
Stored in truck bed	UV + moisture damage	Lifespan reduced drastically
Hung near welding area	Heat & sparks damage	Severe, quick deterioration
Kept in PPE locker	Protected from elements	Lifespan extended
Stored in gear bag	Dust-free, UV-free	Consistent, long lifespan
Left on rooftop	Weathering, UV	Major lifespan reduction

Quality Level vs Expected Lifespan

Not all harnesses are built the same. Some are cheap and wear out fast, while others are made with thicker webbing and tougher stitching that easily outlast the rest.

The quality you buy up front plays a huge role in how long your harness will actually survive on the job. Here’s a quick look at how quality level affects lifespan.

Quality Level	Typical Price	Lifespan Range	Notes
Low-end	$30–$60	1–3 years	Thin webbing, weak stitching
Mid-level	$70–$150	3–6 years	Standard construction
Premium	$150–$300	5–10 years	Reinforced materials, better hardware

When to Retire a Harness Immediately

Some harness decisions take a little judgment—but this part doesn’t. There are moments when a harness is instantly done, no questions asked.

If you spot certain types of damage or the harness has been through the wrong situation, it’s time to pull it from service right away. Here’s when you shouldn’t take chances.

Condition	Replace Immediately?	Why
Harness was in a fall	YES	Internal fibers may be damaged
Missing label	YES	Not compliant; unverified specs
Hardware damage	YES	Structural failure risk
Webbing damage	YES	Weakens load-bearing capacity
Chemical contamination	YES	Hidden fiber damage
Passes inspection	NO	Safe to continue using

Is Harness Still Safe to Use, See This Chart

The Final Answer: How Long Does a Harness Really Last?

Here’s the truth, based on experience, inspections, and manufacturer guidelines:

If you take care of it:

5–10 years

If you use it heavily in rough conditions:

3–5 years

If you neglect it:

Less than 1–2 years

If it fails inspection:

It’s done that same minute — age doesn’t matter.

And remember:
OSHA doesn’t set a strict expiration date.
They care about condition, not age.

At the end of the day, your harness isn’t just a piece of fabric with buckles. It’s the one thing standing between you and a long fall that you might not walk away from.

Replace a harness? Sure. That’s easy.
Replace your life? Not happening.

So treat your harness right, inspect it, and when in doubt — retire it.