A harness should be immediately removed from service if there are which of the following defects?

• A. Cracks in Webbing
• B. Bent Hardware
• C. Missing Stitching
• D. Any of the Above

Answer: (D)

Safety depends on all parts of a harness being intact, because it must reliably distribute force to keep you protected. Cracks in the webbing weaken the fiber structure; even small cracks can grow under load and on impact, compromising strength. Bent or deformed hardware can prevent proper locking, shift load unpredictably, or fail when loaded. Missing stitching means the load path isn’t secure; seams carry critical forces, and missing stitches can let webbing separate. Because any of these issues makes a harness unsafe, it should be removed from service immediately if observed. The practical rule is to retire the harness whenever you notice any of these defects and follow manufacturer guidance for repair or replacement.