Posted By CU Who can carry out inspections on harnesses & landyards. Can the HS&E department members be classed as competent or would personnel who are qualified to carry out inspections on lifting equipment be better.Or do we need to get a third party inspection . Any advise on what keeps us in the law.

Posted By DavidHaddon Check out INDG367 it details all you need to know.

Posted By allan wood when i was first trained in the use of safety harnesses many years ago, part of the training course was for the user to examine the harness thoroughly immediately before each use and if any defects are found simply do not use the harness. from my information it is recommended that they should be formally inspected every 3 months by a competent person of the users company. this information is from sala (harness manufacturers).

Posted By Richard Norwood If you go by LOLER its every 6 months, if you go by the guidance & CITB its every 3 months. To be honest I do it every 6 months along with every bit of kit on my lads vans including ladders, ropes, strops, rope grabs, etc, etc. Although this is against the grain, I am confident that every harness we use is in good condition and under 3 years old. It depends how often you use it too..if its every day, all day long check it more often. I do everything myself so I know who got what condition its in. Download the guidance booklet from HSE website to be sure your doing the right kind of inspection.

Posted By David AB Thomas As stated above, refer INDG367, Inspecting fall arrest equipment made from webbing or rope, http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg367.pdf This states, “It is essential that the person carrying out any inspection is sufficiently independent and impartial to allow them to make objective decisions, and has appropriate and genuine authority to discard defective lanyards. This does not mean that competent persons must necessarily be employed from an external company, although many manufacturers and/or suppliers offer inspection services and training in the inspection of their products.” The advice continues, “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 (e.g. demolition, steel erection, scaffolding, steel skeletal masts/towers with edges and protrusions). Detailed inspections should be recorded.”