How frequently should Height Safety Equipment be inspected?

By law in Australia, safety harnesses should be routinely inspected and checked by a competent person every 6 months. The results and any repairs should be documented.

If the harness is used in harsh environments including dusty, abrasive, or corrosive work environments it is recommended that the harness be checked every 3 months.

In between your periodic inspections, all of your height  safety equipment, should be visually inspected before and after each use.  Where possible, the items should be opened and inspected to ensure that the internal components are also in good condition.

Inspection requirements of height safety equipment are set out in Australian Standards AS/NZS1891.4 2009. Essentially this covers the selection, safe use and maintenance of industrial fall arrest systems and devices which include safety harnesses, horizontal lifelines and rails, fall arrest devices and associated lanyards, connectors, anchorages and fittings.

A preview of these standards can be found here.

If height safety equipment like horizontal lifelines are not serviced regularly and inspected properly, the ramifications can be deadly. Some include serious injury or death, damage to assets and business, increased liability, fines and jail time and insurance battles.

Read more here.

1. Always visually inspect your equipment before every use.
2. Ensure your equipment is regularly inspected by a competent person
3. Keep the relevant inspection records.

There are different methods of documenting this activity, which is largely down to the company in question. However, in all cases it’s vital that records are comprehensive, up to date, clearly filed and easily accessible by personnel that might need to quickly look into the status of a member of staff or item of equipment. It can be time-consuming but there are systems to help.

We can provide an online data management system to help you in this documentation process.

Our testing and inspection team have a strong industry reputation as professionals who get the job done. But they’re also highly trained, competent technicians who have passed the LEEA Diploma courses and examinations, height safety and installation courses and take part in continuous professional development (CPD) programs.

We understand that the removal of items from site can be frustrating for staff and delay work. Our mobile testing services ensure the majority of your lifting equipment can be tested on-site. Not only does this save time on transportation costs and downtime, it provides reassurance to your team who have peace of mind knowing all their equipment is still on-site.

Book your height safety inspection now or take a look at our inspection services.

If you’re looking for a standard or custom-specified wire rope or cable assembly for your next project, contact a Lifting Specialist at Ranger on 1300SLINGS.