Height safety equipment is some of the most important equipment on your worksite, and regular inspection is part and parcel of staying safe at heights. 

How often does height safety equipment need to be inspected?

Queensland's Workplace Health and Safety Regulations state that all parts of a height safety system must be inspected six-monthly, and that records are to be maintained for at least four years. However, any item under significant stress, or used in harsh conditions, should be inspected much more frequently - often two or three times the frequency, as required. Some equipment also requires additional inspection or maintenance, but seek guidance from the manufacturer on these details.

What needs to be inspected?

All parts of your height safety system need to be inspected - so that means everything. Although it doesn't have to all be done at the same time, you will need everything inspected regularly to make sure you and your coworkers aren't at risk.

What goes into a height safety inspection?

First and foremost, all inspections must be conducted by a trained and qualified Height Safety Inspector. This is somebody who has gone through a height safety course (online or in-person) and has been officially certified. This certification should be at minimum against the nationally recognised unit of competency PUAEQU001 - make sure the inspector is up to scratch if you're not sure.

A Height Safety Inspector has to manually and physically check over any items being inspected, thoroughly checking for wear, tear, or other signs of age. This can include things that the average user would think wouldn't matter, such as fading of colour or even an important part being a little too dirty. It's vital that everything works properly in a system to handle some of the extreme stress that a height safety system can experience, so we always err on the side of caution.

If your item passes inspection, the Height Safety Inspector will document what they did and pass the paperwork back over to you. You need to hold these records long past when you receive them, often for the lifespan of the equipment (but usually longer). Ensure this paperwork has details such as the equipment's date of manufacture, details of inspection, and identifying details such as serial numbers. It is not enough to simply get a piece of paper saying "the equipment is compliant".

What if my equipment is condemned?

If your equipment is condemned, then that means the equipment was no longer fit for service and could no longer be safely used. While this does mean you'll need to pick up some new height safety equipment, rest easy knowing that using the condemned equipment could very easily have resulted in somebody losing their life.

Who can do my inspection?

Any competent person with a certification can inspect your equipment, such as our capable team here at Taylor Safety Equipment.

If you want to enquire about or book an inspection, our freecall number is 1800 330 466. You can also email us here - we'll get back to you as soon as possible!

So, inspect it every six months and you're done?

Although you only need it professionally inspected by a certified height safety inspector every six months, the operator should always check over their equipment before and after every use. Inspect the equipment for any sign of wear or tear and raise concerns about any abnormalities you find to your superiors. If it breaks, you break. Make sure everything you use is safe.