Hi Learned Friends, I have been informed by two different sources today regarding the time limit of Thorough examinations for Harness/Lanyards etc for use on a rooftop, I have seen a certificate stating 1 year and been informed it is 6 months between the checks, I have always believed it was the latter. I always believed anything used in connection with people was 6 months. Could anyone enlighten me with their thoughts on this please. Alan

I've searched and everything i have read says 6 months but can't come up with any specific legislation. maybe contact the manufacturer of your safety harness for the definitive answer. What i have found is from first use it must be scrapped after 5 years but can be kept on the shelf for up to ten years before needing to be scrapped. Found this which might be useful for inspection (user inspection) http://www.spansetonline...=inspection-pocket-cards Phil

Depending on the circumstances, sometimes harnesses are using for lifting and lowering loads, such as for aerial tree wotrk etc and in that case I suggest that LOLER 9 (3) (a) would apply?

Alan, Check out the HSE guidance document INDG 367 and read the top of page 3. Basically this suggests a more frequent timescale of every three months where harnesses and lanyards are used in arduous environments or where degradation is more likely to occur. It also gives you a good list of what to look for when inspecting harnesses. You could also contact your harness manufacturer to ask them what inspection they would recommend given the environment you're using them in. A

I occasionally come accross MEWP inspection records showing 12 months between test and inspection.

A quick google brought up this HSE doc: http://www.hse.gov.uk/fa...downloads/ropeaccess.pdf I know it's talking about rope access, but it clearly states that LOLER covers "any equipment that lifts or lowers loads, including a person" and then goes on to list pieces of equipment, including harnesses. Also, this document: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais30.pdf states that equipment used for lifting persons must be thoroughly examined every 6 months. To my mind, it's quite clear that anything used for lifting persons must be thoroughly examined 6 monthly, or in accordance with a written scheme drawn up by a competent person. It seems quite clear in LOLER Reg 9 (3) (a) (i) also.

I agree with Alex. I use INDG367 and the 12 month inspection period is the absolute maximum once in use. I worked as a steel erector in my previous life working on various chemical plants and a harness and lanyard obviously need inspecting more often in that enviroment. It is also fair to say if you are only wearing a harness once a month for an hour at a time in a non chemical environment, then the three monthly inspection wouldn't apply. Check the Manufacturer's Instructions and the environment

Afternoon all, from an examiners point of view: Generally speaking the webbing used in the construction of working at height safety equipment is constructed in the same method as the webbing used to manufacture slings, the stitching pattern and thread are also, generally speaking the same as those used in the construction of lifting slings. The factor of safety in the construction of height safety equipment is greater than the 7:1 associated with EN1492:1/2 and those of 4:1 associated with EN's 818, 1677, etc. This of course is also the same with equipment webbing with the elasticated elements in the weave adding some extra shock absobtion when loaded. Until the introduction of the working at height regulations 2005 (which i notice not many people make reference to), which is now the lead regulations on the principals of WAH PPE, it was a toss up between LOLER 98 and PUWER 98. Some saying height safety equipment was work equipment others stating LOLER using raise lower or suspend as the framing defenition. As we had the most experience of examining this type of webbing and stitching the task usually landed on the door of Lifting Equipment Engineers. Indeed we can still carry out examinations of this type today and very often do. This is also true for man riding systems, access routes and equipment, MEWPS et al. The truth is that the equipment must be examined at regular intervals, by someone with adequate competence to judge whether the equipment is safe to use and will remain so until the next examination. Thank goodness everyone agrees with that. SO, what is the periodicity?? I would say the following: fixed systems (ie those designed to be so - not temporary systems rigged permenantly) examine and test as necessary every 12 months. ANYTHING that is either portable, semi permanent, or affixed to fixed systems - not more than every six months. Equipment used regularly, or in arduous conditions likely to lead to a more rapid deterioration of the integrity or residual strength of the equipment or conditions of service being detremental to the equipment every 3 months. please remember there are real people hanging from this equipment there lives may depend on your call..... Yours aye DB

I believe the clue is in the words 'lifting equipment'. Although, as someone pointed out there may be a requirement to winch somebody up or down, a safety harness is a means of not falling (or falling a short distance, depending on the lanyard) as opposed to a type of lifting equipment.