Don’t overlook height safety equipment inspections
When considering height safety systems installed to protect workers at height, the focus is often on their design, installation and use. However, an important step and your legal obligation as the owner and or provider of these assets are often overlooked, that is the management of their: Maintenance, Inspection, and Re-certification.
Don’t overlook height safety equipment inspections. Failing to implement a proper inspection regime poses significant risks to both the operator and the employer, as well as potential damage to plant and equipment.
Over time, frequent use, wear and tear and exposure to industrial environments can cause height safety and fall protection equipment and systems to deteriorate. In some instances, it can lead to failure. The significance of conducting regular equipment inspections cannot be overstated; it is of utmost importance. Regardless of industry and experience, the dangers of working at height are real, and the consequences of an incident are devastating. Let’s face it, accidents happen, and the last thing you need is for your equipment to fail when you need it most.
The maintenance, inspection and re-certification of your height safety equipment and systems is vital, which is why it is not only required under Australian and New Zealand Standards but also mandated by law in certain states. It is essential that competently trained and accredited individuals perform thorough testing, inspections and tagging to ensure equipment safety and compliance.
The importance of height safety equipment inspection
Your obligations under the standard
AS/NZS 1891.4 specifies requirements and sets out recommendations for the selection, safe use and maintenance of industrial fall-arrest systems and devices based on the use of safety harnesses, horizontal lifelines and rails, fall-arrest devices, and associated lanyards, connectors, anchorages and fittings. The standard outlines the recommendations for inspection to ensure that the items are in good working order and ensure the health and safety of workers exposed to a risk of injury from a fall.
The Standard requires that height safety equipment be:
- Inspected by a ‘Competent Person’ before and after use
- Inspected by a ‘Height Safety Equipment Inspector’ every six or twelve months (dependant on equipment type)
The Standard also stipulates that records of inspection and maintenance must be recorded in an inspection and maintenance log maintained by the company, and made available to operators, users of the equipment and regulators as required.
RIGCOM inspection services
Equipment inspection can be arduous and time-consuming for small or large organisations. Particularly considering the availability of a trained competent person within the business to perform the inspections, the frequency in which they need to be conducted, and the record keeping regime that accompanies it. Regardless of the stage your assets are in their lifecycle, RIGCOM can be engaged to manage the ongoing maintenance of your safety systems and equipment.
Let RIGCOM take the burden out of your equipment inspection commitments. By using our comprehensive inspection service, you can focus on your core business while we ensure you meet your obligations under the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations and Australian Standards. As an active Gold Member of the Working at Height Association of Australia (WAHA), the installation works we inspect are also in compliance with the WAHA Industry Codes. Conducted by qualified technicians with specialist experience, our service includes detailed reporting with individual item checklists, failure reports and trend analysis.
When first inspecting your site, RIGCOM technicians thoroughly record all height safety-related assets to establish a baseline. Once in place, ongoing inspection and reporting becomes significantly quicker. Accurate reporting is then provided, customised to meet your specific requirements. Annual inspection records are maintained, enabling you to establish a system of inspection and compliance maintenance over time.
RIGCOM’s inspection services deliver an additional level of risk management by having an independent third party specialist care for your fleet of height safety and fall protection equipment. It also provides peace of mind and reassurance to ensure ongoing re-certification and compliance.
Contact our inspections team today to learn more about our inspection services, or to discuss your Height Safety Equipment Inspection requirements.