Folks, The Company that I work for uses Harnesses on an infrequent basis and we have around 20. At present an external company is contracted to check these harnesses every three months. I have questioned this as I believe that it could be done internally having done it before myself in a previous company. Am I right in thinking that legislation states that these should be checked at a minimum of every six months and that there is no requirement for them to be inspected by an outside source? It is a costly exercise that I don't see the need for. I am aware of the necessity to ensure documents of inspections etc are kept and that all users should be inspecting a harness for suitability before use. Any thoughts on this? How do you manage your harness inspections?

That great, thanks for that. My intention is to have the users trained externally - with myself doing a six monthly check. I cannot believe what we were paying for the priviledge for someone else to check! Money for nothing if you ask me ..................... and in this climate too!!

U are correct re; nobody should pay for anything that they do not have to pay for. However without knowing the full background re your comment "Am I right in thinking that legislation states that these should be checked at a minimum of every six months etc" worries me because a person undertaking qualified checks should know the answer to that basic question as peoples lives are at risk Additionally kit should be included within a scheme of examination which has checks, inspection and examination systems contained within Somewhere along the line the insures should be involved so I advise that you contact them for their input and there can be a conflict of interest argued if everything is undertaken in-house as proper inspections and examinations should in my view be undertaken by an unbiased external source otherwise its like everybody doing their own MOT The users should be able to check their own kit to an acceptable standard at the point of use and yep if a competent in-house person can under take a proper check as a follow up then get on with it

+1 Safetypipper Yet another example of the holier than thou, fun police attitude that makes this forum what it is. I'm with you mate, get some training, know your limitations and check them yourself (with the guys that use them). Just don't forget, its people lifes you are playing with ;-)