Is Your Lanyard Ready for the Next Season?

Before crews return to higher-risk exterior work, lanyards deserve a closer look.

Lanyards are used often. They are clipped, handled, stored, dragged, packed, exposed to weather, and moved between jobsites. Over time, that use can affect the webbing, stitching, absorber, connectors, and labels.

For Canadian businesses, the next season of work often brings more rooftop access, lift work, maintenance, construction, inspections, industrial service, and exterior repairs. That means fall protection equipment needs to be ready before the work begins.

At Height Works, our team supports businesses with fall protection equipment, inspections, engineered systems, and worksite-ready safety solutions. We know that lanyard readiness is not just a product issue. It is a crew-readiness issue.

A damaged lanyard can delay a job. A deployed absorber must be removed from service. A connector that does not lock properly can create serious concern. A lifeline that is not compatible or inspection-ready can stop work before it starts.

The goal is simple: inspect early, replace what is worn, and give crews the right system before they return to active exterior work.

Why Lanyard Readiness Matters Before Exterior Work

Exterior work changes the risk profile of a jobsite.

Crews may be working from rooftops, ladders, elevated platforms, industrial structures, swing stages, or mobile elevating work platforms. Weather, wind, surface conditions, access points, and jobsite movement can all affect how fall protection equipment is used.

A lanyard is one part of a larger system. It may connect the worker’s harness to an anchor, lifeline, or fall protection device. If that connection is worn, damaged, poorly selected, or incompatible, the full system can be affected.

A seasonal lanyard review helps businesses:

• Identify damaged or worn equipment before use

• Reduce last-minute replacement delays

• Support safer exterior work planning

• Review connector and absorber condition

• Confirm lifeline compatibility

• Improve crew readiness

• Support stronger PPE inspection habits

• Build a more organized fall protection program

Lanyards should never be treated as a “set it and forget it” item. They need regular review, proper storage, and replacement when damage or deployment is found.

What to Inspect on a Lanyard

A lanyard inspection should be practical, consistent, and based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Workers should also be trained to recognize damage and report concerns before use.

Key areas to review include:

• Webbing or rope condition

• Stitching

• Energy absorber pouch

• Connector function

• Label readability

• Signs of deployment

• Cuts, burns, or abrasion

• Chemical contamination

• UV damage

• Hardware condition

• Compatibility with the rest of the fall protection system

If there is uncertainty, remove the equipment from use and have it reviewed by a trained and competent person.

1. Webbing, Rope, and Stitching

Start with the body of the lanyard.

Check the full length of the webbing or rope. Look and feel for changes in texture, stiffness, cuts, pulled fibres, swelling, flattening, burns, or abrasion.

Inspect stitching closely. Damaged stitching can indicate stress, wear, or exposure that may affect the lanyard’s performance.

Watch for:

• Cuts

• Fraying

• Loose threads

• Broken stitching

• Burns

• Hard or brittle areas

• Excessive dirt

• Chemical exposure

• Faded or weakened material

• Unusual stretching or distortion

A lanyard with damaged webbing, rope, or stitching should be removed from service.

Height Works Products

• ABSORBICA-I lanyards

• ABSORBICA-I 150 lanyards

• MEWP fall protection kits

• FallPro Kits

• Rope and lanyard replacement options

2. Energy Absorbers

Energy absorbers help reduce fall impact forces in compatible fall arrest systems. They are critical to inspect because signs of deployment may mean the absorber has already done its job.

Look for:

• Torn absorber pouch

• Exposed tear-webbing

• Deployed absorber sections

• Damaged stitching

• Cuts or abrasion

• Contamination

• Missing labels

• Signs that the absorber has been loaded in a fall

A deployed energy absorber should be removed from service.

For crews preparing for exterior work, this review is important. If the absorber is damaged or deployed, the lanyard should not be returned to use.

Height Works Products

• ASAP’SORBER 20

• ASAP’SORBER 40

• ASAP’SORBER AXESS

• ABSORBICA-I 150

• Petzl ASAP LOCK AXESS Kit

3. Connectors and Carabiners

The connector is where the lanyard meets the rest of the system. If the connector does not function correctly, the lanyard cannot be trusted as part of a clean setup.

Inspect each connector for:

• Gate function

• Locking action

• Corrosion

• Cracks

• Deformation

• Sharp edges

• Excessive wear

• Dirt, grit, paint, oil, or concrete

• Missing or unreadable markings

• Correct orientation

• Compatibility with the attachment point

Open and close the gate. Check that the locking mechanism works smoothly. A connector that does not close and lock properly should be removed from service.

Height Works Products

• Petzl Bm’D carabiners

• Petzl Am’D carabiners

• Petzl OK carabiners

• Petzl WILLIAM carabiners

• CAPTIV positioning bars

• Connector replacement bundles

4. Lifelines and Rope Systems

A lanyard does not work alone. It must be part of a compatible fall protection system.

Before crews return to exterior work, review the lifeline or rope system being used with the lanyard. Look for wear, contamination, compatibility concerns, and whether the system is appropriate for the task.

Check for:

• Rope wear

• Cuts or abrasion

• Chemical exposure

• Dirt or embedded debris

• Proper anchorage

• Compatibility with mobile fall arresters

• Correct rope diameter for devices

• Sewn termination condition

• Label and marking readability

• Storage damage

• Moisture or mildew concerns

If a lifeline is required for a certified system, confirm that the correct rope or lifeline is being used.

Height Works Products

• RAY 11 lifeline

• Ropes and lifelines

• ASAP mobile fall arrester

• ASAP LOCK

• ASAP LOCK AXESS Kit

• Petzl FIXE Pulley

• Rope bags and storage packs

5. Labels, Markings, and Product Identification

Labels matter. They support traceability, inspection, compatibility checks, and user confidence.

If labels are missing, unreadable, or damaged, it may become difficult to confirm the equipment’s specifications, model, service life, inspection history, or compatibility.

During the inspection, check:

• Manufacturer label

• Model name

• Serial number or identifying markings

• Standards markings

• Inspection tags

• Warning labels

• Date information, where applicable

If the product cannot be identified or verified, remove it from service until it can be reviewed.

Height Works Products

• Replacement lanyards

• Replacement connectors

• FallPro Kits

• MEWP Kits

• PPE refresh bundles

6. Storage and Transport

Many lanyards are damaged when they are not being used.

Loose storage in a truck, bin, or mixed tool box can expose fall protection equipment to abrasion, sharp edges, moisture, oils, grease, and chemicals. This can shorten the useful life of the equipment and create inspection issues.

Lanyards should be stored clean, dry, and away from damage sources.

Storage checks should include:

• Is the lanyard stored with sharp tools?

• Is it exposed to chemicals or oils?

• Is it wet, dirty, or packed with debris?

• Is it crushed under heavy equipment?

• Is it separated from incompatible materials?

• Is it easy to inspect before use?

A good gear bag helps protect the equipment and keep crews organized.

Height Works Product Opportunities

• Petzl DUFFEL 65

• Petzl DUFFEL 85

• Petzl EXPERT 40

• Petzl EXPERT 55

• BUCKET 15 bag

• Tool pouches and storage accessories

When Should a Lanyard Be Removed From Service?

A lanyard should be removed from service when there are signs that it may no longer perform as intended.

Common reasons include:

• The energy absorber has deployed

• Webbing or rope is cut, burned, frayed, or damaged

• Stitching is broken or pulled

• Hardware is cracked, bent, corroded, or deformed

• Connectors do not close or lock properly

• Labels are missing or unreadable

• The product has been exposed to chemicals or heat

• The product has been involved in a fall

• The equipment fails inspection

• There is uncertainty about condition or compatibility

When in doubt, remove it from use and have it assessed by a trained and competent person.

Seasonal Lanyard Readiness by Worksite Type

Commercial Property Managers

Common work includes rooftop access, HVAC service, exterior repairs, drain maintenance, inspections, and contractor coordination.

Recommended review:

• Lanyards

• Anchors

• Connectors

• Lifelines

• Fall protection plan

• Rescue planning

• Contractor PPE expectations

Recommended products:

• Anchor straps

• ABSORBICA-I lanyards

• Carabiners

• FallPro Kits

• Gear bags

Contractors and Trades

Common work includes construction access, exterior work, service calls, lift work, and building maintenance.

Recommended review:

• Harnesses

• Lanyards

• Connectors

• Tool pouches

• Gear storage

• Helmet and headlamp compatibility

Recommended products:

• NEWTON MEWP Kit 1

• NEWTON MEWP Kit 2

• ABSORBICA-I 150

• Bm’D carabiners

• DUFFEL 65

Warehouses and Industrial Facilities

Common work includes MEWP use, equipment maintenance, inspections, rack or structure access, loading areas, and low-light tasks.

Recommended review:

• MEWP fall protection kits

• Lanyards

• Connectors

• Helmets

• Headlamps

• Storage bags

Recommended products:

• NEWTON MEWP Kits

• ABSORBICA-I lanyards

• PIXA R Headlamp

• BUCKET 15

• Connector bundles

Municipal and Public Works Teams

Common work includes facility maintenance, water and utility work, infrastructure service, signage, building access, and seasonal repairs.

Recommended review:

• Lanyards

• Lifelines

• Rope devices

• Connectors

• Rescue readiness

• Storage and transport

Recommended products:

• ASAP LOCK AXESS Kit

• RAY 11 lifeline

• FIXE Pulley

• EXPERT 55

• DUFFEL 85

Lanyard and Rope System Inspection Checklist

Use this checklist before exterior work increases.

Lanyards

Check:

• Webbing or rope condition

• Cuts

• Fraying

• Burns

• Abrasion

• Stitching

• Labels

• Chemical exposure

• Signs of loading or distortion

Energy Absorbers

Check:

• Pouch condition

• Tear-webbing

• Deployment indicators

• Stitching

• Label readability

• Contamination

• Signs of fall arrest loading

Connectors

Check:

• Gate function

• Locking action

• Corrosion

• Cracks

• Deformation

• Sharp edges

• Wear

• Compatibility

• Markings

Lifelines

Check:

• Rope condition

• Diameter compatibility

• Sewn terminations

• Anchor compatibility

• Contamination

• Abrasion

• Markings

• Storage condition

Storage

Check:

• Gear bag condition

• Moisture exposure

• Chemical exposure

• Sharp object contact

• Organization

• Cleanliness

• Ease of inspection