How long does Category III fall protection PPE last? What is its service life, and when must it be withdrawn from use? Most importantly, must PPE be discarded after a certain time even if it has been used only a few times—or not at all?
These are among the most frequently asked questions regarding the service life of Category III PPE, and the answer is not always straightforward.
The service life of PPE is the period during which it can be used under safe conditions. It is not a fixed or absolute time span, but an estimate that may be reduced depending on several factors, including:
technological evolution and product compatibility;
frequency and intensity of use;
environmental and operating conditions (saline aerosols, fumes, aggressive chemical environments, dust, extreme temperatures, humidity, etc.);
failure to comply with the manufacturer’s instructions regarding use, maintenance and storage;
outcomes of mandatory periodic inspections carried out by a competent person.
The same PPE may therefore have different service lives depending on the conditions of use. The more aggressive the environment, the more frequent inspections must be.
Example of recommended inspection frequency:
| Conditions of use | Recommended inspection interval |
|---|---|
| Regular – occasional | 12 months |
| Frequent or occasional in aggressive environments | 6 months |
| Intensive or frequent in aggressive environments | 3 months |
The answer is clearly: No.
The service life of Category III PPE depends on the type of PPE, materials used, and above all on the manufacturer’s specifications. PPE with similar characteristics may have different service lives depending on the manufacturer.
Some manufacturers consider all-metal PPE to have an unlimited service life (provided periodic inspections are carried out), while others limit it to 20 years from the date of manufacture.
For textile PPE, manufacturers generally indicate a service life between 5 and 10 years. It is also essential to verify whether this period starts from the date of manufacture or from the date of first use.
As a result, a textile PPE manufactured in 2009 but never used may still need to be discarded if the service life is calculated from the manufacturing date. Conversely, it may still be usable if the service life is calculated from first use and that period has not yet elapsed.
In most cases, this information is provided in the Instructions for Use and Maintenance. In some instances, manufacturers issue official notices or updates, published for example on their websites, which may override previous instructions.
