Apparatus and associated methods relate to fall-protection safety connector having alignment indicators located on both a static end and a dynamic end of a deformable energy-absorbing device that when deformed visually presents the alignment indicators as misaligned. In an illustrative embodiment, the fall-protection safety connector may be configured to securely connect to a securement member. In some embodiments, a user may connect to the fall-protection safety connector by attaching a lanyard to an aperture coupled to the dynamic end of the deformable energy-absorbing device. Before using the fall-protection safety connector, the user may visually inspect the alignment of the alignment indicators to ascertain the readiness of the connector. Misaligned alignment indicators may advantageously indicate to the user that the remaining energy-absorbing deformation capability of the connector may be below a predetermined specification.