Work at Height Equipment Inspection (Line Maintenance)

Definition

This applies to safety harnesses, lanyards, mobile elevating work platforms (Hi Lifts) and ladders (including step, extension ladders and foot stools) used for work at height.

Legal Framework

United Kingdom:

-  Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

-  Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

-  Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

-  Work at Height Regulations 2005

Republic of Ireland:

-  Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005

-  Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007

Responsibility

The Station Engineer with responsibility for Health and Safety of the workplace or work activity has overall responsibility for ensuring that the equipment provided for work at height is in working order and good repair and has undergone any statutory, user or annual inspections to which it is subject to.

It is responsibility of the person inspecting and/or using the equipment to

-  Ensure they are trained and competent to inspect and use the equipment

-  Check the equipment at the specified required intervals, using the criteria specified below and in accordance with their training

-  Record findings of the inspection in the equipments dedicated Inspection Record Book

-  Notify their Station Engineer in the event that the equipment does not meet the required criteria.

Process

The check for each type of equipment is documented below


Safety Harnesses and Restraint/Shock (Energy) Absorbing Lanyard User Inspection

1)  A tactile and visual check must be performed

a.  Before using the equipment, and

b.  At least monthly

2)  The inspection must be performed against the check criteria detailed below.

3)  The whole equipment must be subject to the inspection by passing it slowly through the hands.

4)  Visual inspection must be performed in good light.

5)  A record of the inspection must be made in the equipments’ dedicated Inspection Record Book. There must be one Inspection Record Book for each harness/lanyard. The Inspection Record Book should reference the Harness / Lanyard ID / Serial Number and Date of First Use. There should be a column for

a.  Date of inspection,

b.  Name of person carrying out the inspection

c.  Inspectors’ signature to ensure traceability.

6)  The Inspection Record Book must be maintained with equipment for its lifetime.

Safety Harnesses and Restraint / Shock (Energy) Absorbing Lanyard User Inspection Criteria

Check Item / Check Criteria
Webbing / No cuts at the edges
No surface abrasion to the face of webbing and at webbing loops
No abrasion at the edges of the webbing
No damage / breaks to the stitching
No ingress of contaminants/permanent stains
No chemical attack damage
No heat or friction damage
Fibres / No Softening or hardening
No colour change
Fittings / No damaged, deformed or broken fittings
Lanyards / No damage to energy absorber protector
No deployment of energy absorber
Miscellaneous / Detailed inspection by competent person in date (within last 6 months)
Serial number visible and easy to read
Harness, restraint lanyard, energy absorbing lanyard less than 5 years old


Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) / Hi Lift User Inspection

1)  An inspection must be undertaken of the MEWP/Hi Lift, the work area in which it is to be used and the route to be travelled to its place of use.

2)  The inspection must be performed against the check criteria detailed below.

3)  The Inspection frequency is as follows:

a.  Before each use of the equipment, and

b.  At least weekly (equipment only)

4)  Any hazards that the work area presents must be addressed prior to use.

5)  A record of the inspection must be made in the equipments dedicated Inspection Record Book. The Inspection Record Book should reference the MEWP / Hi Lift type, model and / or serial number. There should be a column for

a.  Date of inspection,

b.  Name of person carrying out the inspection

c.  Inspectors signature to ensure traceability.

6)  Where the MEWP / Hi Lift belongs to a third party, written authorisation must be obtained to use it. Instruction in its use should be provided. Confirmation should be received before each period of use that the equipment is in working order, good repair and within its statutory inspection.

7)  The Inspection Record Book must be maintained with equipment for its lifetime.

Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) / Hi Lift User Inspection Criteria

Check Item / Check Criteria
Platform / structure / Clean and free from grease, dirt and debris
Extension platform / Slides in and out freely. Locking pins in place
Safety decals / In place and readable
Indicator lights and controls / In working order and readable
Legs / Maximum platform height changes with legs retracted and extended
Emergency stop / Operating correctly
Emergency lowering / Operating correctly
Motion alarm / Operating correctly
Lowering alarm / Operating correctly
Tyres and wheels / In good condition. Adequate pressure if pneumatic
Brakes / Operating correctly
Lights / Operating correctly
Horn / Working
Battery / Fully charged, free from corrosion
Hydraulic system / No leaks, sufficient reservoir fluid level, hoses secure
Fuel / Adequate, no leaks
Safety guard rails and guards / Sound construction. In place and correctly locked in upright position. Collapsible rails must NOT be left in lowered position. Safety rail pins are secure.
Safe Working Load / Not exceeded
Statutory inspection / In date (i.e. less than 6 months since LOLER inspection)
3rd party equipment / Written authorisation given to use equipment. Equipment in working condition.
Instruction provided in use of equipment.

Work area: Survey the work area and route for potentially hazardous operating conditions.

Check Item / Check Criteria
Floor/ground / No slopes (in excess of design), holes, uneven surfaces, unstable ground, obstructions
Overhead / No overhead gantries, electricity cables, pipes, steelwork, building projections or other obstacles
Weather conditions / No adverse weather conditions- wind, snow, ice, rain. Manufacturers wind speed not to be exceeded.


Ladders, Steps and Foot Stools Annual Inspection

1)  Ladders (including extension and step ladders), mobile steps/work platforms and step/kick stools should be inspected monthly using the criteria detailed below.

2)  Inspection records should be maintained in a dedicated Inspection Record Book containing the equipment serial/model/reference number, date of inspection, name of inspector and signature.

3)  Where a fault is detected, an assessment shall be made of the continued suitability of the equipment and a decision made by the Station Engineer to repair or dispose of the equipment.

4)  Defective equipment for disposal must be cut up before disposal to prevent further use.

5)  A tag shall be applied to the equipment with the next inspection date. Equipment not displaying an in-date tag should be removed from service immediately and reported to the Station Engineer.

6)  In between inspections, users should perform pre-use visual checks to ensure equipment is safe.

7)  Standards:

a.  All ladders, including extension and step ladders must conform to

i.  Aluminium ladders: Class 1 Industrial or

ii. Wood ladders: BS 1129 Class 1 Industrial.

b.  All step stools must conform to BS 7377.

Ladders, Steps and Stools Annual Inspection Criteria

General Check Items / Defects to check for
Stiles / Cracked, worn, broken, twisted, warped, splinters
Rungs/Treads / Cracked, worn, broken, twisted, dirty, rung to stile fixing loose (consider loose if can be moved by hand, including rotation)
Rubber feet / Damaged, worn, loose, missing or dirty
Base / Wobbly
Rivets / Loose or missing
Welds / Cracked or damaged
General / Sharp edges, dents, corrosion
Extension Ladders Only (the above general check items +)
Extension locks/latching hooks / Loose, broken, missing, poor seating when ladder extended
Step Ladders Only (the above +)
Top tread/ platform/shelf / Cracked, worn, broken, twisted, distorted, warped, splinters
Platform/shelf latching hook / Loose, broken, missing, poor seating
Top hinge / Worn, broken, loose
Rear legs / Cracked, split, worn, broken, twisted, distorted, loose
Stays / Chains / Cords / Unequal length, defective, broken, twisted, loose, bent
Mobile Steps / Work Platforms Only (the above general check items+)
Framework / Rusty, bent, broken, distorted
Safety barrier / Rusty, bent, broken, missing kick plates
Platform / Rusty, cracked, broken, bent, platform to frame fixing damaged
Wheels/castors / Missing, broken retracting/braking and rotating/swivelling mechanisms
Non-slip feet / Damaged, worn, loose, missing or dirty
Lever / Broken
Kick / Step Stools only
Wheels/castors / Missing, broken retracting/braking and rotating/swivelling mechanisms
Platforms / Rusty, cracked, broken, bent
Rubber non-slip treads / Damaged, worn, loose, missing, dirty
Document / Work at Height Equipment Inspection (Line Maintenance) / Issue / 2
Department / Risk Safety and Quality / Page / 3 of 4
Authority / Occupational Risk Manager / Date / February 2011