How to check my height safety equipment is compliant?
Regular inspection of height safety equipment is essential to ensure it is maintained in good working order. Height safety standards include a requirement for periodic examination of equipment, which must be recorded and carried out at regular intervals, often once a year. Additionally, pre-use checks must be carried out each time equipment is used, in order to check the products are in good working order with no damage, and mechanical devices have additional requirements for servicing.
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Learn more about the checks, inspection, and servicing required below:
Periodic examination
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The EN 365 standard, which covers requirements for general fall arrest systems, stipulates that a detailed inspection or periodic examination of fall protection equipment must be completed at least once every 12 months by a competent person. This period can vary, and it is important to check local regulations.
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This is often referred to as recorded inspection or visual inspection, though it includes tactile and functioning checks. Following EN 365, periodic examination must be carried out by a ‘competent person’.
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A competent person for period examination is someone who can demonstrate:
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JSP provide training in how to perform competent person inspections.
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The inspection of each type of product varies, with different component parts and materials to be examined. Some common points for inspection are the stitching of webbing or other fabrics, fall indicators, buckles and connectors. Each product is supplied with a user instruction manual which provides information on the inspections to be carried out for that piece of equipment.
Pre-use checks
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Each time personal fall protection equipment is used, it must be checked for damage and wear to make sure it is safe for use. This is a mostly visual inspection which can be carried out by the user. Instructions supplied with products provide detailed information on how to perform pre-use checks for different types of equipment.
Servicing
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Servicing is required for mechanical devices, such as winches and self-retractable lifelines. It involves disassembling the product and replacing components (as required by law and usage) and can only be carried out by properly trained agents who are authorised by the manufacturer.
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A mechanical fall protection device must be serviced regularly after a certain period of usage, and this can vary by product. JSP self-retractable lifelines, for example, require servicing once a year after the first three years of use.
Working life
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The working life of height safety products is dependent on the condition of the product determined through inspection, assessment and, where necessary, servicing.
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JSP height safety products have a general combined shelf and working life of 10 years from the date of manufacture. For example, if the date of manufacture shown on the product is 2019 then it may be used until 2029, subject to passing necessary checks and inspections by a competent person.
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Equipment should be inspected prior to each use for any defects – if any defects are present products should not be used. Detailed recorded inspections required must be carried out by a competent person, following the checklist provided in the user instructions.
If you have any questions on inspection or servicing of equipment please contact JSP Height Safety Department.
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Have any more height safety questions? Take a look at our?height safety faq !
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Find out more about our?range of height safety. ?
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Take a look at our?height safety guide .
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How can we help?
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If you have any questions please?contact us ?and our team will be happy to help with supply, usage or correct application of our products.