Safety harnesses are a vital piece of equipment for protecting workers from falls from height, especially in industries like construction, scaffolding and maintenance. To ensure that safety harnesses remain in safe working condition, regular inspections and maintenance are vital, but who is qualified to carry out these inspections? Keep reading to find out!
Legal Requirements for Safety Harness Inspections
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 state that all work equipment (including safety harnesses) must be maintained in good condition and inspected regularly by a competent person.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) also state that any equipment used in the workplace must be maintained and inspected by a competent person.
Who Is Considered “Competent” to Inspect a Safety Harness?
In the UK, a competent person is someone who has the necessary training, knowledge and experience to carry out safety harness inspections. The competent person doesn’t necessarily need to have a formal qualification as long as they have practical expertise in the use and maintenance of harnesses and other fall protection equipment.
Here are some examples of the types of individuals who are qualified to inspect safety harnesses:
Certified Inspectors
Many companies choose to employ certified professionals to conduct their safety harness and equipment inspections. These individuals have usually completed specialised training courses in fall protection equipment.
In-House Safety Officers
Many companies also choose to designate an in-house health and safety officer to carry out their inspections. These individuals are typically trained in the manufacturer’s guidelines and relevant regulations.
Competent Trained Employees
In some cases, a competent employee who has received adequate training (and is well-versed in the manufacturer guidelines and safety regulations) will be in charge of inspections.
Third Party Safety Consultants
Some businesses opt to hire third party inspection services or consultants as this can add an extra layer of assurance to their health and safety protocols.
So, whether you choose to employ in-house staff, certified inspectors or third-party consultants, the most important thing is that your inspections are thorough, frequent and compliant with all relevant regulations.
For more information on safety harness inspections, check out our blog How to Inspect a Safety Harness.
If you have any further questions about safety harness inspections or the types of safety harnesses we offer at Safety Harness Direct, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and a member of our team will be happy to help!
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