What should be done to a harness with defective webbing or hardware?

A harness with defective webbing or hardware poses a significant safety risk for workers who rely on it for fall protection. The correct action is to label the harness as "DAMAGED, DO NOT USE" and remove it from service. This ensures that no one inadvertently uses it, which could lead to serious injury or fatality in the event of a fall.

Harnesses are critical components of safety gear, designed to provide reliable protection. Any signs of defects or degradation in the materials can compromise their effectiveness. By taking a defective harness out of service, you uphold safety standards and ensure that all personnel have access to equipment that meets the necessary safety requirements.

The other options do not address the immediate danger posed by a compromised harness and could lead to unsafe working conditions. Continuing to use a harness with any defects, regardless of how minor they may appear, undermines the purpose of fall protection equipment. Additionally, increased frequency of inspections on a defective harness is not a viable alternative because it does not fix the underlying problem. Selling a damaged harness to another user is also highly irresponsible, as it could lead to endangering someone else's safety.