Equipment Inspection & Maintenance Flashcards

While inspecting a harness, a technician sees broken or frayed stitching on a load-bearing seam. What should happen?

Answer: Remove the harness from service

Damaged load-bearing stitching weakens the harness and field repairs aren't allowed, so it is retired.

A carabiner's gate opens but doesn't fully close and lock by itself. What is the correct response?

Answer: Clean it and recheck, and retire it if it still doesn't close and lock properly

A gate that won't close and lock is a critical defect; cleaning may fix it, and if not the carabiner is retired.

What usually determines the maximum service life of textile rope access equipment?

Answer: The manufacturer's specified lifespan together with usage and inspection findings

Service life follows the manufacturer's guidance, adjusted for actual use, exposure, and inspection results.

How should a helmet with a cracked shell be handled?

Answer: Retire it from service

A cracked shell can't absorb impact as designed, so the helmet is retired.

Why should equipment from different manufacturers be checked for compatibility during inspection and setup?

Answer: Incompatible parts can cause cross-loading, gate loading, or rollout

Incompatible connectors or devices can load wrongly and fail below their rated strength.

A rope's sheath is cut and the white core fibers are visible. What should the technician do?

Answer: Remove the rope from service, or cut out the damaged section per company policy

Exposed core fibers mean significant damage, so the rope is retired or the damaged section is removed under a controlled procedure.

Which environmental exposure gradually weakens nylon and polyester soft goods even without any visible cuts?

Answer: Long exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light

UV radiation breaks down synthetic fibers over time, causing fading and loss of strength.