What is the risk of using damaged or worn-out safety equipment?

Using damaged or worn-out safety equipment significantly increases the likelihood of injury due to equipment failure. Safety equipment is designed to protect workers from various hazards, and when it is compromised, it may not function as intended. This can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities in accident-prone environments. For example, a frayed harness may not adequately support a worker during a fall, or a worn helmet may not absorb the impact of a falling object. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure that all safety equipment is in good condition, as relying on faulty equipment directly undermines the safety measures that are supposed to be in place.