Inspection is Essential
Safety harnesses and lanyards are among the most important fall protection equipment used to protect workers from one of the primary causes of fatality and major injuries in the workplace. In the UK, the Work at Height Regulations (2005) instruct that safety equipment prone to deterioration must be inspected at appropriate intervals. In addition to this, the Personal Protective Equipment regulations (1992) require employers to maintain fall arrest equipment. By law harnesses and lanyards should be inspected on a 6 monthly basis, which is where Bravura inspection can help.
We can create a personalised inspection program for you, keeping in line with UK law and keeping your business organised and dedicated to the health and safety of employees.
Competence is Key
A competent individual must inspect safety harnesses and lanyards both before initial use and then at a maximum of 6 months intervals following first use. It is essential that the user conducts pre-use checks to ensure that the equipment is suitable for use with no major defects threatening safety. We can provide guidance on what these pre-use checks should involve.
Record Keeping
It is crucial to keep records of all harnesses and lanyard inspections, noting the dates, competent inspector, unique serial numbers, defects found, and actions taken. Bravura inspection will provide you with a formal inspection report that you can store appropriately, feeling assured that you are managing essential safety equipment. Harness and lanyard inspections are an integral part of ensuring workers safety. Employers can significantly reduce the likelihood of a workplace accident/injury by following a strict inspection program provided by Bravura Inspection and providing employees with appropriate training for work at height.
Important Inspection Points
Webbing
Check for any cuts, fraying, or UV damage.
Metal Components
Ensure there is no corrosion or deformation and that attachment links function well.
Identification Tags
Ensure the legibility of the tag, which should include harness model, date of manufacture, manufactures name, equipment limitations, and warnings. If the tag is missing, not legible or has missing information, the equipment should be immediately taken out of service.
Excessive Dirt
If an excessive amount of dirt, paint or other contaminants are preventing a thorough inspection, take the equipment out of service and do not reinstate unless it can be cleaned to manufacturers specifications. Some contaminants can cause corrosion and will compromise the dependability of the harness.
