What governs the retirement age for a general harness?

• A. 10 years regardless
• B. Condition or manufacturer's Rec. (10 years)
• C. 5 years or condition
• D. Never retire

Answer: (B)

Gear retirement depends on how the harness has held up with use and on the manufacturer’s guidance for service life. A harness isn’t retired by a fixed calendar alone; it’s retired when its condition becomes unsafe or when the manufacturer says it should be retired after a certain period. In practice, this means you retire it if you find frayed or torn webbing, cracked or bent hardware, damaged stitching, excessive wear, or any other signs of degradation. If a harness is in good condition but has reached the manufacturer’s recommended life—often around ten years for many harnesses—you retire it as well. This approach balances actual wear with the expected lifespan, which is safer than sticking to a rigid age or never retiring.