Rope inspection

Rope inspection is as critical to your safety as clipping in is in the first place. Unfortunately, often people do not treat it that way. For this reason we want to guide you through a complete rope inspection process and show you how to do it right!

In the videos, our segment manager Rob Manson explains all steps of rope inspection. The most important points are also presented next to each video. For additional information, you can also download our Safety Card, which gives you an overview of the whole process. We recommend that you keep that in your rope log for future reference.

General information

Rope inspection is very important and keeps your work safe. Therefore, it should be executed regularly.

Keep the following points in mind:

  • Before and after each use

  • Twice a year for stored rope

  • Record the inspection in a rope log or app (i.e. Papertrail)

Rope inspection video - Part I - General information

Specs & Labelling

Each safety rope that leaves the TEUFELBERGER production is marked with a rope label that shows most important information about the rope and its certification.

Please note when inspecting:

  • Labels must be on the rope and legible

  • Rope must be compliant with the used hardware

  • Rope must fulfill required standards for your application (ANSI, EN, …)

  • Always check lifespan & rope log

The label of a certified safety rope (e.g. EN 1891A, NFPA, …) must contain the following information:

  • Certification / Standard

  • Name of the rope

  • Diameter - Manufacturer

  • Date of Manufacture and/or Manufacturing Lot Number

  • ONLY NFPA: Product ID, Minimum Breaking Strength, Types of Fibers, Elongation

Rope inspection - Part I - Specs & Labelling

Rope inspection - Labels EN / NFPA

All labels

1 Notified body

2 Standard/Certification

3 Type/Class of certification

4 Name of the product

5 Manufacturing Lot Number

6 Date of Manufacture (YY/MM)

7 Diameter

8 Manufacturer

9 Serial number

NFPA only

1 Product identification number

2 Minimum breaking strength

3 Types of Fibers used

4 Elongation

Rope inspection - Part III - General condition

General Condition

Check the video to see how the inspection of a rope is done correctly.

When inspecting the general condition of your rope, you are looking for small problems that might become big ones as you go.

You will need to check the rope for the following: 

  • Knots & separations

  • Dirt & debris

  • Small cuts & tears

  • Fuzzing & abrasion

  • Weave pattern, kinking

  • Glazing & hard spots

  • Core damage (bumbs, soft spots, …)


Rope inspection - Part IV - Sewn, Spliced & Hardware

Fabricated ends & Hardware

Many ropes come with fabricated ends like sewn terminations or spliced terminations or include special hardware.

When you check a sewn termination, you will look for:

  • Intact protective shrink tube

  • Correct threads

  • No rope separation

When you check your included hardware, please have a look at:

  • Overall condition

  • Cracks & abrasion

  • Rusted spots

  • Sharp edges

  • Functionality & moving parts

  • Ratings

  • Add hardware that was used to your rope log

Watch the full video about rope inspection here: Rope Inspection - full video - YouTube

Here you can download our “Safety Card” for your future reference. The cared guides you through the whole process of rope inspection. Keep it in your rope log or hang it in your rope storage as a useful reference.