HEIGHT SAFETY PPE INSPECTION AND RECERTIFICATION
At Kolab Ensayos we make sure your equipment is in proper condition to undertake jobs involving fall hazards.
Work at Height is any activity carried out on a work area situated at a height exceeding 2 metres. Any person working at height must be suitably provided with fall-protection equipment.
Whenever possible, collective protection systems will be provided, such as handrails or other physical barriers preventing the worker from reaching the fall hazard. When this is not possible, fall protection PPE (also known as height safety PPE) must be used.
Basically, they include:
Harness
This is a structure consisting of webbing straps which distribute the forces generated in the event of a fall throughout the worker’s body, and ensures the worker is suspended upright after the fall. It should always be a full-body harness and feature front and/or rear attachment points (sternal and/or dorsal D-ring). More recent versions incorporate elastic materials which help dissipate arrest forces in the event of a fall.
Connector with energy absorber
This is connected to the worker’s harness D ring and one end and to the anchor point at the other end. It must incorporate an energy absorber, whose purpose is to mitigate the force exerted on the worker’s body when a fall is arrested; thereby preventing serious injury.
Hard hat
In addition, workers should wear a hard hat suitable for work at height: without holes and with a chin strap to ensure it does not come off during the fall.
Kolab Ensayos
Kolab Ensayos inspects and recertifies fall-protection PPE in accordance with standard UNE-EN 365:2005. Aspects that require to be verified include checking that all textile (rope or webbing) elements are within their service life (as from 2016, 10 years from the date of first use, with a 1-year maximum storage period from the date of manufacture); and that all their features conform to the applicable standard – UNE-EN 361: 2002. This includes CE marking, full-body harness, presence of ‘A’ marking on dorsal or sternal D-ring, etc. In addition, it is important to check that all metal components (harness attachment points, karabiners, etc) do not show any signs of damage that could compromise their mechanical integrity. Buckles must also be tested to ensure the coupling is secure. Webbing and rope components must be clean, without any traces of hydrocarbon-based or corrosive agents that could alter their properties.
It is recommended to inspect fall-protection PPE at least once a year, and always in compliance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. PPE subject to intensive use should be inspected at more frequent intervals.
