BSIF Height Safety Group

How often should I inspect my fall protection equipment?

Personal fall protection equipment and anchor systems should be subject to a pre-use check, carried out by the user, before each occasion of use. The pre-use check is a visual and tactile check intended to ensure that the equipment is safe to use as the time of use.

Statutory, Thorough Examinations should be carried out at frequencies determined by a risk assessment that takes into consideration the type of equipment, its frequency of use and the environmental conditions is which it is used. The maximum frequency between Thorough Examinations, as defined in BS EN 365: 2004, is 12 months. The Thorough Examination must be undertaken by a Competent Person, and the results of the examination recorded. The Thorough Examination is a detailed examination intended to ensure that the equipment is safe for continued use.