Work-positioning equipment inspection

You must inspect body belts for hardware damage, rivet condition, waist-strap grommets, fastening-strap material, and any worn materials that could affect safety. The appendix lists the specific items to check: the hardware must have no cracks, nicks, distortion, or corrosion; no loose or worn rivets; the waist strap must have no loose grommets; the fastening straps must not be 100-percent leather; and there must be no worn materials that could affect user safety (1910.269 App F).

No — you should not use a body belt whose hardware shows corrosion. Appendix F requires that belt hardware have no cracks, nicks, distortion, or corrosion, so corroded hardware makes the belt unsafe for use and it should be taken out of service until repaired or replaced (1910.269 App F).

No — fastening straps must not be 100-percent leather. Appendix F explicitly states that the fastening straps are not to be 100‑percent leather, so belts with fastening straps made entirely of leather do not meet the guideline and should be replaced or modified (1910.269 App F).

Inspect positioning straps for hidden warning centers, cuts or burns, extra holes or fraying, rivet security, leather content, and snaphook condition. Appendix F lists these checks: the warning center of the strap material must not be exposed; there must be no cuts, burns, extra holes, or fraying; rivets must be properly secured; straps must not be 100‑percent leather; and snaphooks must not have cracks, burns, or corrosion (1910.269 App F).

It means you must not see the strap's internal warning indicator or core, because exposure indicates internal damage and weakening. Appendix F requires that the warning center not be exposed; visible internal fibers, woven break indicators, or a changed cross-section are signs the strap is compromised and should be removed from service (1910.269 App F).

No — any cuts, burns, extra holes, or fraying on positioning straps are not acceptable. Appendix F specifically lists these defects as conditions that must not be present because they can reduce strap strength and impair safety (1910.269 App F).

If a snaphook shows corrosion, cracks, or burn damage it must not be used. Appendix F requires snaphooks to be free of cracks, burns, or corrosion, so any of those defects indicate the snaphook is unsafe and it should be removed and replaced (1910.269 App F).

Rivets must be secure and not loose or worn. Appendix F requires that body belts have no loose or worn rivets and that positioning-strap rivets be properly secured; any loose, missing, or excessively worn rivets are defects that make the equipment unsafe (1910.269 App F).

Gaffs must be at least as long as the manufacturer's recommended minimums — generally about 32 mm (1.25 in) for pole climbers and 51 mm (2.0 in) for tree climbers measured on the underside of the gaff. Appendix F states these minimums and notes that gauges are available to help determine if gaffs meet length and shape requirements (1910.269 App F).

Measure the gaff on the underside of the gaff — Appendix F specifies gaff length is measured on the underside and mentions that gauges are available to assist in determining whether gaffs meet the manufacturer's recommended minimums (1910.269 App F).

No — fractured, cracked, or loose gaffs are not acceptable. Appendix F states gaffs and leg irons must not be fractured or cracked, and that gaffs must not be loose, so any of these conditions make the climber unsafe and the equipment should be removed from service (1910.269 App F).

Check that gaffs are not deformed, are properly sharpened, and are shaped to penetrate poles or trees easily. Appendix F requires gaffs be free of deformation that could adversely affect use and that they be properly sharpened; it also notes gauges are available to confirm proper shape for penetration (1910.269 App F).

Inspect leg irons and stirrups for fractures, cracks, looseness, and excessive wear. Appendix F requires gaffs and leg irons not be fractured or cracked, that gaffs not be loose, and that stirrups and leg irons be free of excessive wear — any such defects make the climber unsafe (1910.269 App F).

No — there must be no broken straps or buckles on climbers. Appendix F specifically lists "there are no broken straps or buckles" as a required inspection condition, so broken components must be repaired or replaced before use (1910.269 App F).

Yes — Appendix F states for both body belts and positioning straps that the straps are not to be 100‑percent leather. That means neither the body-belt fastening straps nor the positioning straps should be entirely leather, per the guideline (1910.269 App F).

Loose waist-strap grommets are not acceptable. Appendix F requires that the waist strap have no loose grommets, so any loose grommet indicates the belt may be unsafe and should be repaired or removed from service (1910.269 App F).

Yes — Appendix F gives specific defect conditions that indicate removal from service: exposure of the warning center, cuts, burns, extra holes, fraying, loose/worn rivets, loose grommets, broken straps or buckles, and cracked, deformed, corroded, or fractured metal parts. If equipment shows any of those listed defects it does not meet the inspection guidelines and should not be used (1910.269 App F).

Yes — Appendix F notes that gauges are available to assist in determining whether gaffs are long enough and shaped to penetrate poles or trees. Use an appropriate gaff gauge or the manufacturer's measuring method to verify the gaff meets the recommended minimums (1910.269 App F).

The inspection guidelines are contained in Appendix F to the electrical safety standard 29 CFR 1910.269. Appendix F is titled "Work-Positioning Equipment Inspection Guidelines" and is part of the requirements and guidance for work on or near electric power lines and equipment (1910.269 App F and the main standard 1910.269).