Posted By Andrew Kelleher
Could anyone let me know if there is any HSE/other guidance out there, concerning the inspection of safety harnesses.

Thanks

Posted By Mitch
Andrew,

Reg & PPE Regs's 92 I think, but it is early on a Monday morning!!

Not inspection specifically but maintenance, you could also apply MHSAW, HASW etc in you want to go down the PA testing route, ooops didn't mean to bring that one up again!

Mitch

Posted By Dave Merchant
In terms of LAW:

For fall arrest, restraint, etc = PUWER
For rope access/rescue/etc. = LOLER

Guidance varies, but the generally-used schedule is "at least every 12 months" for PUWER items and "at least every 6 months" for LOLER. Reduce schedules if the items are heavily used or exposed to damaging environments.

Under both, the inspection has to be 'recorded' and performed by a competent person (not necessary for it to be someone other than the user). Records of inspection should be kept until a newer one replaces them, so you can start a new record sequence at any point in an item's lifetime.

HSE's leaflets are frankly not worth the paper they're written on. I'm not allowed say anything about textbooks, but there's a limited bit of guidance in BS8437 if you have a copy to hand (remember British Standards are free to read in most libraries). Certainly not worth buying the standard just for half a page though!