Working at heights is a daily reality for many people – from scaffolders to construction workers and power line maintenance personnel. In such conditions, any lapse in safety can have tragic consequences. Therefore, personal protective equipment (PPE) requires special attention. Regular inspections of safety harnesses and lanyards for working at heights, are not only a legal requirement, but also a demonstration of responsibility and care for human health and life. Find out when to perform these inspections and how to prepare for them. Learn about the key responsibilities involved, and the benefits of regular inspections.
What will you learn from this article?
- Which benefits does regular inspection of safety harnesses and lanyards for working at heights bring?
- What are the requirements for inspecting safety harnesses and lanyards?
- How is the inspection of safety harnesses and lanyards carried out at Bonapi?
- Which conditions must safety harnesses and lanyards meet, to pass inspection?
Which benefits does regular inspection of safety harnesses and lanyards for working at heights bring?
Safety when working at heights is a matter of utmost importance – human life. High structures, wind turbines, telecom towers, or scaffolds, are places where safety harnesses and lanyards often form the last line of defense against falling. That is why regular inspections and assessments of technical conditions are so crucial.
which benefits, then, does regular inspection of safety harnesses and lanyards bring?
Preventing accidents
Systematic inspections help identify damages, wear, or deficiencies that could lead to equipment failure, during usage. They also allow the assessment whether harnesses and lanyards are suitable, for the current conditions and the type of work that is being performed, which is vital for ensuring protection.
Increasing user confidence and trust
Employees who know that their equipment is regularly checked and maintained in good condition, feel safer and more confident, while working at heights. Knowing that the employer cares about safety through regular equipment inspections, can boost employee morale and loyalty, as well as improve work quality and lead to better results.
Extending equipment lifespan
Systematic checks and maintenance can extend the lifespan of harnesses and lanyards, therefore reducing costs associated with frequent replacements.
Detecting hidden damage
Some damages may not be visible at first glance. Regular inspections can help detect micro-cracks, corrosion, or other defects that could lead to catastrophic failures.
Protection against weather conditions
Harnesses and lanyards will be exposed to various weather conditions, such as moisture, UV radiation, or extreme temperatures. Inspections allow the assessment whether the materials of which they are made of, have not degraded under these circumstances.
Indicating the need for modernisation
Technology and safety standards are constantly evolving. Regular inspections can reveal the need to replace old models of harnesses and lanyards, by newer, more advanced, and safer models.
What are the requirements for inspecting safety harnesses and lanyards?
As you can see, the benefits of inspecting safety harnesses and lanyards are indisputable. However, the necessity of conducting checks and assessing whether personal protective equipment (PPE) is fit for continued usage, also stems from legal regulations.
According to the law, periodic inspections of safety harnesses and lanyards must be conducted at least once every 12 months. However, if the equipment is used very frequently or in poor conditions, it is recommended to inspect it more often. The inspection should be carried out by an authorized service or a competent person. So ,before one year has passed since the last inspection, another review must be ensured, either by calling in an inspector, or by sending the equipment for inspection.
The responsibility for monitoring inspection dates lies with the employer/supervisor. Except when someone has provided or purchased the equipment themselves. This mostly applies to self-employed individuals, known asZZP in the Netherlands. In this case, the owner himself must keep track of inspection dates.
In the absence of inspection, fines may be imposed by the Dutch Labour Inspectorate for working at heights without properly checked equipment. More importantly, it endangers the health and life of those performing high-altitude work, such as scaffolders Therefore, the requirements for inspecting fall protection equipment should never be overlooked.
The inspection of safety harnesses and lanyards is possible due to the complete documentation of each element.
Labels on the equipment should include:
- serial number,
- manufacturer’s name,
- date of production,
It is also worth noting, that the first inspection certificate for safety harnesses and lanyards, should be provided upon purchase. However, many times this certificate is missing, therefore it is important to check if it is included with the purchased equipment.
If you work at heights, you should check your harnesses and lanyards daily, before each use, to ensure they are in good condition and ready for use. This will enhance safety during work and help prevent accidents at heights.
How Is the periodic inspection of safety harnesses and lanyards conducted at Bonapi?
At Bonapi Training Center, we understand the importance of safety at the workplace and strive to ensure that those employees working at heights, feel confident and protected from hazards. Therefore we conduct periodic inspections of safety harnesses and lanyards for working at heights.
The inspection price is:
- For a set (harness + lanyard) – €30 excl. BTW
- Per item of lanyard or harness – €20 excl. BTW
Please schedule an inspection by phone,the inspection of an item takes 15 minutes. The equipment should be delivered to Bonapi, or sent to our company address.
For large quantities of equipment requiring inspection and assessment of technical condition, we conduct on-site inspections at the client’s request.
We also perform inspections of non-complex mountaineering equipment, meaning those that do not require disassembly to inspect the condition of the ropes.
What conditions must safety harnesses and lanyards meet in order to be inspected?
Harnesses and lanyards for inspection should primarily be clean, free from visible damage and rust, and without tape, zip ties, or tags.
Conditions that must be met for lanyards to pass inspection
- Self-retracting lanyards must have a functioning self-locking mechanism, meaning they must lock upon a sharp pull.
- Hooks must return to the initial position by themselves – they must “close” and not stick.
- Hooks must not be deformed, rusty, nor chipped.
- Webbing must not be torn, frayed, nor damaged.
Conditions that must be met for safety harnesses to pass inspection
- No torn parts of the material.
- Metal elements must be free from rust.
- Buckles must work properly and not be rusty.
- The material must not be dirty with paint, oil, or chemicals, and must not be written on. Therefore, we recommend not marking your harnesses with a marker (which often happens), as it can weaken the material.
The above mentioned requirements for inspection of safety harnesses and lanyards, can be checked independently, to avoid bringing damaged equipment for inspection.
Safety harness and lanyard inspection – summary
remember!
Personal protective equipment handed over to an employee for work without:
- individual markings,
- user instructions provided by the manufacturer/seller,
- a periodic inspection card,
- an internal usage instruction manual,
is considered equipment that does not meet health and safety regulations – with all the resulting consequences.
Safety knows no compromises, and in the case of working at heights, it is not an issue that can be overlooked. Therefore, it is crucial to use the best available height safety equipment that meets, or even exceeds safety standards. Regular inspections are the foundation upon which the trust and peace of mind of every worker using this equipment is built.
If you or your employees use harnesses and lanyards, take care of every detail and ensure precise inspections, that can save health and lives. We are happy to help you with that. So contact us, and together we will ensure safety by providing regular inspections, so those working at heights can focus on their duties, without worrying about their health or their lives.
