Posted By stephen johnson
I work for a haulage company and we have recently taken delivery of some curtainsiders that have fall arrest equipment fitted.

I know that the equipment needs to pass an inspection(to BS EN standard) before use and arrive with a Certificate of Conformity.

Can anyone advise me on where I can find the legislation that outlines the pre-use parameters? I know that there are 2 different types of 'runners' that support the fall arrest blocks. One being a wire that has anchor points at the front and rear of the trailer. The second being a rail that is fixed to the roof of the trailer.

I was informed that the pre-use inspection and to what standard is laid down in the WAH Regs, however, I cannot seem to find any reference in the regs.

Is there anyone out there (I'm sure there is) that can point me in the right direction as to which legislation covers the topic and what procedures it outlines.

Thank you in anticipation.

TAFFBO

Posted By Dave Merchant
The wire should comply with EN795 class C. The rail to EN795 class D. In theory they can claim the equivalent levels of safety via another route, but in practice that's almost impossible.

There's no C of C, as it's not lifting equipment. You get a CE mark on the product and one on the instructions, that's all.

As to the pre-use check, the product must include instructions as to what is required, the intervals between inspections and the lifetime/maintenance schedules. If there's no such instruction leaflet, the supplier is breaking the law (PPE Regs 2002 to be precise). Finally, because the equipment is Complex PPE, the users are required by law (PPE at Work Regs) to be competent in how to use, inspect and maintain it in a safe condition, so if they're staring at it all confused, you have a far bigger problem than inspection forms to deal with. Fall arrest blocks running on wire systems can easily be misused, leading to significant risks of injury.

I'd advise you going back to whoever supplied the stuff, asking for the proper information and then arranging formal training for anyone who will be using it. That training will include how to perform pre-use checks.

Posted By stephen johnson
Dave

Thank you very much.

Where can I find written direction (EN 795 )with regards to the spec?

We have two different providers of the equipment, one supplies a wire (all that has been sorted) and the other a rail (this is the one I am having a problem with).

Training for the wire system has taken place.

I just need tangible/documentary evidence of where the requirements are laid down so that I can go back to the company supplying the rail and highlight to them what is required prior to use.

Steve