Fall prevention equipment inspections
Fall prevention equipment inspections
How to roll Out fall prevention equipment inspection?
For projects involving working at height, a risk assessment should be completed to determine the appropriate equipment and provide guidance on inspection. This risk assessment should also be provided to contractors before any work commences. Selection of the equipment should take into account a range of factors such as ground conditions, duration and frequency of use and additional risks posed by use, installation and removal of the work equipment.
When selecting work equipment for work at height, the duty holder is required to prioritise collective measures over personal measures. This means that collective protection offered by MEWPs, scaffolding, guardrails etc should be given preference to personal fall protection systems such as work positioning, rope access and fall arrest. However it does not prohibit the use of the latter if it is the most appropriate work equipment given the nature of the work to be carried out.
Our recommended actions:
Personal fall arrest systems must be:
- Suitable for the type of work and be capable of meeting load requirements
- Correctly fitted and worn
- Designed to minimise any injury to the wearer
- Designed to prevent the unplanned or uncontrolled movement of the user
- If the system is designed to be used with an anchor point, attached to at least one anchor of sufficient strength
British Standard, BS 8437:2005 provides detailed guidance on the selection, use and maintenance of personal fall arrest equipment.
