Working at Height Equipment Inspections
Working at height poses significant risks, so you need to do everything you can to ensure the equipment your employees use is safe and reliable. At Excel Inspections Services, we offer thorough inspections of your working-from-height equipment so you can continue to be compliant and keep your staff safe.
What is 'Work at Height'?
Work at height refers to work in a place where, if there were no safety measures, a person could fall from any height above ground/floor level which could make the company liable to cause personal injury. This can also include falling from an edge, or through an opening or fragile surface.
Work at Height Regulations 2005
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 aims to prevent deaths and injuries caused by falling from a height. It’s addressing a significant risk in many workplaces. These regulations apply to employers who control work at height such as facilities managers or building owners who hire contractors. The goal of this regulation is to ensure that work at height is conducted safely, mitigating any dangers.
Working From Height Equipment
When working at height, it’s crucial to have the appropriate equipment to ensure safety and compliance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. There are different types of equipment you need suited for various tasks and levels of risk.
Ladders and Stepladders
Ladders are commonly used for tasks that require just temporary access to higher areas. They’re suitable for lower-risk tasks that are short in duration. However, the ladders and stepladders used must be in good condition, positioned correctly, and used by trained professionals.
MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms)
Mobile elevated work platforms like cherry pickers and scissor lifts provide a stable solution for accessing higher work areas. These platforms are highly flexible and useful for tasks that require mobility. Workers who operate MEWPs must be properly trained and familiar with the specific platform they are using. This ensures safe operation whilst working at height.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding provides a temporary platform for workers at various heights and is mainly used for long-term projects like external building work. Scaffolding systems must be erected and inspected thoroughly to ensure they meet safety standards. Scaffolding, when done properly, can provide a safe environment at height for multiple workers and tools.
Harnesses and Lanyards
Harnesses and lanyards are important parts of personal fall protection systems used to secure workers at heights. Inspections on these components are essential for safety. They should be free of cuts, abrasions, and damage whilst all metal components must be intact and corrosion free.
Fall protection systems
Fall protection systems encompass a range of equipment designed to prevent falls. This equipment can include guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), and more. Inspections for fall protection systems are necessary to prevent from falling, or to safely catch the worker if a fall occurs.
Why Does Working from Height Equipment Need Inspecting?
Inspecting working at height equipment is crucial for many reasons. Regular and thorough inspections can prevent accidents, maintain compliance, and extend the lifespan of the equipment.
Safety
The main reason why working from height equipment needs inspecting is to ensure the safety of the workers. Regular inspections identify any potential hazards like structural weakness or worn-out components that could lead to equipment failure. By addressing these issues quickly thanks to the inspection, the risk of incidents is significantly reduced.
Compliance
Compliance with safety regulations is mandatory for any organisation, and many regulations have stringent guidelines for the use of working at height equipment. Regular inspections ensure the equipment being used by your company meets these stringent standards which avoid legal action.
Wear and Tear
Regular inspections allow any signs of wear and tear to be documented and monitored. Regular use of equipment can cause the degradation of materials which can weaken components. This weakening can then cause a loss of functionality, creating safety risks. Inspections help to identify signs of wear and tear early and take action to extend the lifespan of the equipment and ensure the safety of workers.
Risk Reduction
Companies can heavily reduce the risks associated with working at heights through thorough inspections. Inspections help to identify potential risks and take action before they result in accidents.
Equipment Procurement
By regularly inspecting equipment, you can easily see which types of equipment withstand wear and tear better and which are the most reliable. This helps make better choices for future purchases. Tracking inspection results over time can also highlight recurring issues, triggering a reassessment of procurement strategies.
How Does LOLER Apply to Working at Height?
LOLER is the abbreviation of Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It’s created under the Health and Safety Act which exists to ensure the safety of workers. It applies to those who work in buildings and use lifting equipment. Here’s when LOLER applies:
-
When lifting equipment at height.
-
To ensure equipment integrity and safety.
-
To ensure lifting equipment is being operated by competent personnel.
-
To maintain compliance.
-
To ensure emergency procedures are in place for lifting operations.
How Do You Decide if Someone is 'Competent' to Work at Height?
To determine if someone is competent to work at height, you need to assess their practical skills, and knowledge of safety regulations, and ensure they have relevant experience. The individual should be able to use equipment like ladders and scaffolding safely and understand all health and safety rules that apply to using the specific piece of equipment.
To work at height, the individual must have completed proper training. For those still gaining experience, they need to be under the supervision of a competent supervisor.
Sectors We Cover
At Excel Inspection Services, we offer working at height inspections for the residential, commercial, and construction sectors. Our expertise span numerous industries and we always provide tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of each customer. Here are some of the sectors we currently serve:
• Power Stations
• E-commerce
• Block Management
• Chartered Surveyors
• Hospitality
• Education
• Industrial Cleaning
• Recycling
• Social care
• Shopping Centres
• Theatre
• Manufacturing
• Electrical Wholesalers
• Charities
• Embassies
No matter the industry, we are committed to delivering high-quality inspection services to support your operations.
Why choose Excel Inspection services?
Excel Inspection Services helps businesses stay compliant in industries governed by regulations. We focus on what our clients need and make giving quality service and advice our priority. We have years of experience under our belt to ensure your company remains safe.
FAQS
-
How long will a LOLER inspection take?This will depend on the amount of van and car lift ramps you have in your workshop, but we’re committed to working quickly as well as thoroughly, so that downtime is kept to a minimum - we know you’ve got a business to run!
-
Where in the UK does Excel Inspection Solutions operate?As we’re based in the South East of England, we largely attend to clients across London, Sussex, Berkshire, Kent, Hampshire and Essex. However, thanks to our network of surveyors, we’re able to offer our inspection services across the UK too.
-
How will I receive my LOLER report?You’ll receive a digital copy of your LOLER report, which will include photographs, particularly if we find any issues. Access to your report is also made possible at any time through our handy online portal.
-
Can you do a vehicle lift inspection at the weekend?Weekdays are hardly ideal for a busy garage, so we can accommodate weekends where necessary.
-
Do recovery vehicles need a LOLER inspection?Recovery vehicles that feature a crane-style mechanism are classed as cranes, and therefore should be treated as such under LOLER regulations.
-
How often should vehicle lifts be inspected under LOLER?When people are within the vehicle when the vehicle is lifted, inspections should be carried out every 6 months. Where people are not elevated within the vehicle on the ramp, inspections should be carried out every 12 months.
