6 months or 12 months inspections??

Thanks for the link - do you class the 6 monthly as a TE under Loler??

Thanks, I was very surprised recently to find out that our harnesses were only TE every 12 months. The argument was that they do not actually do the 'lift' therefore are not covered by reg 9, which clearly states: "in the case of lifting equipment for lifting persons or an accessory for lifting, at least every 6 months" Surely a harness used in hoist ops would be classed as an accessory?

I do 6 monthly checks. The pre use check and after use check are vital for spotting damage/deterioration.

LOLER does apply in Rope access works... ƒLifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 Interpretation (Reg. 2) What is 'lifting equipment' in rope-based access work? LOLER applies to a wide range of lifting equipment and lifting operations, and covers [29] any equipment that lifts or lowers loads, including a person. Examples are: ropes and equipment used for work positioning (personal suspension equipment) during rope access work; rigging systems for lowering branches in arboriculture. The regulations apply to any attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting this equipment. For example: ropes; ƒ harnesses; ƒ connectors; anchor points; lanyards So yes harnesses are part of lifting equipment when used in rope access. Along with the strops, slings, shackles, ground anchors and the myriad other things involved.

Bringing this back to life as I have been investigating the safe thing: We are welders/fabricators. We have two safety harness kits (two point harness with lanyard) which are used on average once per month (or less) as fall restraint when using a scissor lift type MEWP. They are subject to pre-use inspection by the user on each and every occasion plus a formal recorded monthly inspection but I'm confused about how often we should get a formal inspection done? When the latest kits were purchased they were accompanied by a 'Report of Thorough Examination of Personal Protective Equipment carried out in accordance with BS 8437' (Code of practice for selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the workplace) which stated that the next inspection was due in 12 months. Until now we had always done them every 6 months and never had any issues. All kits are replaced after 5 years irrespective of condition in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. However, having looked at BS 8437 it states "Formal inspection procedures should be put in place by employers to ensure that personal fall protection equipment is given a detailed inspection ... by a competent person before first use and at intervals not exceeding six months (or three months where the equipment is used in arduous conditions), and after circumstances liable to jeopardize safety have occurred". I've also looked at BS EN 365 (Personal protective equipment against falls from a height. General requirements for instructions for use, maintenance, periodic examination, repair, marking and packaging) and it states "Instructions for periodic examination shall include recommendation in regard to the frequency of periodic examinations, taking account of such factors as legislation, equipment type, frequency of use, and environmental conditions. The recommendation shall include a statement to the effect that the periodic examination frequency shall be at least every 12 months". I'm now really confused - do we need to do every 6 months or can we do every 12 months as that is the frequency determined by a competent person?

Oh also should have said the manufacturer's instructions which accompany the product also state "after every 12 months of utilization, personal protective equipment must be withdrawn from use to carry out periodical detailed inspection."

I would be inclined to err on the side of caution and ensure 6 monthly formal inspections. In the past an insurance company representative has provided this service at 6 monthly intervals - for a fee of course. The guidance in the link from a previous post also suggests 6 monthly as per below. The employer can dictate what the frequency is. I suggest if you adopt a 12 monthly regime you need to be able to robustly defend this decision should the need arise. Detailed inspections These more formal, in-depth inspections should be carried out periodically at minimum intervals specified in the employer’s inspection regime. It is recommended that there is a detailed inspection at least every six months. For frequently used lanyards it is suggested that this is increased to at least every three months, particularly when the equipment is used in arduous environments (eg demolition, steel erection, scaffolding, steel skeletal masts/towers with edges and protrusions). Detailed inspections should be recorded.