Having the right fall protection systems in place to safeguard your staff and contractors working at height is essential. So too is its periodic inspection, testing, maintenance and recertification.
Without it, the integrity of the fall protection systems cannot be assured to be safe and compliant. As the duty holder is responsible to ensure their staff and site operatives remain safe whilst on the premises it is critical keep this assets maintained in good condition.
On a roof-top, exposed to the Great British weather all year round, it needs the quality attention supported by clear reports of any degradation, damage or incomplete equipment.
Read on to find out more about the regulations, and how often they should be inspected.
Testimonial
"I just wanted to say how pleased I was with the testing engineers who came on site this week - I felt they were thorough and professional."
Jeni - A London Academy
Horizontal Lifeline System Regulations
The fall protection regulations include BS 7883, BS EN795 and CEN/TS 16415.
The BS 7883 regulation is the code of practice for the design, selection, installation, use and maintenance of anchor devices confirming to BS EN 795 and CEN/TS 16415.
Under this requirement all systems must not only comply to the installations but also to their respective surrounding areas.
So whilst a lifeline system might be designed and installed correctly in itself, if they are not suitable for use due to an unsafe fall arrest landing area then alterations may be required.
This can occur if new equipment is installed below the fall risk area after the lifeline system was installed and where it encroaches on the operator fall distance.
Lifeline Systems Inspection Frequency
The regulation requires the systems are inspected and certificated every 12 months by a competent height safety specialist company.
STQ Vantage’s tailored inspection and maintenance services ensure on-going compliance with all legal standards, and the certainty that your fall protection systems can be relied on to protect, restrain or arrest personnel - now and in the future.
Systems Needing Regular Maintenance
- Fall arrest harness anchors
- Fall arrest safety lifeline systems
- Deadweight anchors
- Guardrail systems
Cat ladders Abseil anchors Safety eyeboltsThe installation and inspection of safety lifeline fall protection systems is governed by BS EN795 and CEN/TS 16415, and BS 7883 (the Bristish Standard regulations).
You should also be cognizant with The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) when considering working at height as this helps prevent death and injury caused by falls from height.
Annual maintenance of safety fall protection horizontal lifeline system in Bristol, in accordance with BS 7883
Is It Mandatory That Fall Potection Systems Are Inspected And Certificated?Precise inspection and testing schedules depend on system and equipment type, environmental conditions and usage. However the minimum requirements still apply as follows:
- The British Standard BS 7883 regulation requires fall arrest safety line systems to be inspected and certified annually.
The LOLER 1998 regulations require abseiling equipment to be inspected on a 6-monthly basis.
So yes, it is a mandatory requirement to keep them inspected.
The Benefits of Routine Inspections:
- By keeping your fall protection equipment regularly inspected it ensures deterioration or damage is reported promptly and avoids further problems arising from neglect. A report could bring attention to a partly deployed fall-arrest wire system which might function incorrectly in the event of a fall. This could obviously lead to serious consequences - for both the victim and the duty holder.
- In the event of an accident, near-miss or similar incident, HSE may review whether the equipment was inspected frequently enough. Even if a fall has not occured they may still take legal action against the duty hold for 'lack of adequate care'.
If you would like a free survey carried out on your fall protection on one or several sites, please contact us here.
A Tailored Proactive Maintenance & Inspection Programme
By databasing the specific details of your fall arrest systems, STQ Vantage creates inspection programmes uniquely tailored to your buildings or the property you manage.
We’ll tell you exactly when inspections need to happen, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to keep them compliant.
If you need a very special serivce and require an out-of-hours testing to prevent disruption to people during normal working hours, then please ask and we can dedicate engineers to arrive or finish at specific times.
We can also provide a complete advisory package depending on your requirements.
You will receive test certificates once the engineers have inspected the equipment, detailing the specific equipment on site, and noting any defects, damages or concerns which should be brought to your attention.
Our engineers will do more than you ask; so if they see loose cladding, damaged air-conditioning units, broken tiles or something else, they will include that in their report.
We aim to be 'your eyes and hands at height' and make your job easier!
Fully Compliant Systems - According to BS 7883 12-monthly inspections should be carried out to ensure the equipment remains compliant and safe to use.
You will receive certification upon completion of the visit. Safety fall arrest system in Southampton, Hampshire.
Short Lifeline Systems - The inspection of short safety wire systems is just as important as larger systems and must not be considered as unnecessary; the risk is still present and the results of neglecting safety can be serious. Safety line system in Reading, Berkshire.
Roof Edge Protection - This roof edge protection handrail system allows contractors to work safely in all roof areas, in Birmingham, West Midlands.
Corrosion! - Over sustained periods fall arrest safety line systems can corrode. This shows the importance of annual inspections, to identify when a system is no longer safe to use and must be replaced.
Slack cables! - For multiple reasons the wire can become too slack on a harness anchor system, preventing it from performing correctly in the event of a fall.
Usually, it is caused by accidental over-tensioning; either from someone tripping over it, or heavy items being placed on it. It should be rectified as soon as possible.
Non-compliant components! - This photo of a collective protection system shows substitute components, which might initially appear acceptable.
In understanding the principles of fall arrest protection systems, it could not be guaranteed to perform when put to the test. Edge protection guardrail in Somerset.
Detached system! - At times roof guardrail systems need to be moved or removed to enable other contractors to carry out work on roofs.
However, if a system is not refitted to the regulation requirement, the system is less likely to prevent a fall when excessive force is applied. Handrail inspected in Pall Mall, London for a Facilities Management company.
Our customers regularly call on us to test their fall arrest equipment in areas including Greater London, Marylebone, South Lambeth, Battersea Park, Westminster, Mayfair, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Kensington, Hammersmith, Wimbledon, Richmond, Twickenham, Weybridge and Chertsey and other Greater London areas. We cover numberous location outside the M25 including Slough, Bracknell, Reading, Swindon, Bristol and Gloucester, Exeter, Plymouth, Bournemouth, Guildford, Farnborough, Woking, Southampton and Portsmouth. The counties this includes are Hampshire, Surrey, Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Avon, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. Our wide coverage enables us to serve our clients in many areas of the country. We do work in many other areas too - these are just are the most common areas work in. Case Studies
For your fall protection inspection and maintenence requirements, talk to our helpful team on 01935 474 602, send us a message or email safety@stqvantage.co.uk
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