Not sure if this question has came up previously, have trawled the forums without success. We have recently undergone an audit by a customer of ours with a view to potential further engineering/fabrication contract work. The HSE auditor, himself a fresh faced graduate with a degree in H&S, obviously out to make his mark, asked the question regarding Lifting Equipment, whether or not we had a programme in place for 6monthly & annual checks, etc, to which we have a very good programme (overhead cranes, pillar cranes, slings, shackles, eyebolts, etc up to 40T lifting capacity) in place by our insurers plant inspection service, however stated the observation that our Roller Shutter door mechanism's are not checked (we have 7 doors around the factory). Despite being in the HSE game for 20 odd years, this is the first time I have been asked this! Upon further investigation, and further research (as well as speaking with our insurers), Insurers and I both of the opinion as Doors are mentioned in Reg 18 of Workplace regs, this is not normally referenced in relation to industrial plant. The lends to the question, are roller shutter doors considered to be "work equipment" and subject to PUWER 98 (relating to Inspection) and Management Regs (specifically with respect to Reg 3 - Risk Assessment) or not. Insurers have highlighted they do not normally undertake this "lesser activity" however an employer is entitled to carry out self inspection (which we do, for operatibility, lubrication as per our preventative maintenance programme). In my opinion, should be suitable & sufficient to state that we are doing all we can. Customer HSE Auditor states NO, and is persistant that we should have roller shutter doors checked as part of our lifting equipment inspection programme (this higher level of work can be undertaken by insurers at an additional cost). What do my fellow peers think?

Ive never heard of this. The chances of failure of the type that also have a chain are minimal. Seems like tosh to me and cant see it coming under LOLA

A bit OTT if you ask me. Our site services guys maintain the doors. Andy

I'm sure it doesn't. Might come under PENSKE 'though :-)

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