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Exceptional Inspections of Fall Protection Equipment
In addition to pre-use checks and periodic inspections, situations may arise where fall protection equipment must undergo an exceptional inspection.
This is an additional check outside the normal inspection intervals, and must be carried out whenever an event has occurred that may have affected the safety of the equipment.
What is an Exceptional Inspection?
An exceptional inspection is an extraordinary safety check carried out when there is reason to suspect that equipment may have been damaged or degraded.
The purpose is to ensure that the equipment still meets its safety requirements before it is used again.
This type of check must normally be carried out by a competent person — that is, someone with knowledge of:
- The construction of the equipment.
- The manufacturer's instructions.
- The relevant standards and criteria for retiring equipment from service.
When is an Exceptional Inspection Required?
Such a check may be required in a number of situations.
After a Fall or Fall-Loading Event
If the fall protection equipment has been subjected to a fall, regardless of how minor, it must always be immediately taken out of service.
The equipment must not be used again until it has been:
- inspected in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions; and
- approved by a competent person; or
- alternatively, rejected and thereby retired from service.
In many cases, the manufacturer requires that the equipment be retired from service immediately after a fall.
After Unusual Loading
Even if no fall has occurred, the equipment may have been subjected to loading that could affect its performance, for example:
- Severe shock loading or sudden impact forces.
- Use outside the intended application.
- Overloading.
In such situations, the equipment should be checked before it is used again.
After Environmental Exposure
Fall protection equipment can be degraded by certain environments or substances.
Examples include:
- Chemicals or solvents.
- Extreme heat or exposure to fire.
- Prolonged UV exposure.
- Salt water or corrosive environments.
If there is reason to suspect that the equipment has been adversely affected and its protective performance is uncertain, an additional inspection must be carried out.
After Storage or Transport
If the equipment has:
- been held in storage for an extended period;
- been transported in a manner that may have caused damage;
- been exposed to moisture or temperature fluctuations;
a check may need to be carried out before it is returned to service.
When There is Uncertainty About the Condition of the Equipment
A simple rule of thumb is:
If there is any doubt about the safety of the equipment, it must be checked before use.
It is always better to carry out an additional inspection than to risk using equipment with impaired protective function.
What Does an Exceptional Inspection Cover?
An exceptional inspection may involve a more thorough check than a standard pre-use check.
It may include, for example:
- Thorough visual and tactile inspection of all components.
- Inspection of stitching, webbing, connectors and energy absorbers.
- Verification of markings and traceability.
- Assessment against the manufacturer's criteria for retiring equipment from service.
- Documentation of the findings.
If the equipment cannot be verified as safe, it must be taken out of service and retired.
How Exceptional Inspections Fit Into the Inspection System
Fall protection equipment is normally subject to checks at three levels:
Pre-Use Check
Carried out by the user before each use, in accordance with EN 365. Many manufacturers also state in their instructions for use that a visual check should be performed during and after use, which in turn becomes a legal requirement under AFS 2023:11.
Periodic Inspection
Carried out by a competent person at regular intervals in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Exceptional Inspection
Carried out when an event may have affected the safety of the equipment.
Together, these three levels form a systematic approach to fall protection safety management.
Next Periodic Inspection
Since regulations require that periodic inspections are carried out at intervals of no more than 12 months, exceptional inspections do not affect this due date.
An exceptional inspection does not count as a periodic inspection, as they serve different purposes within the inspection system. Periodic inspections are planned and recurring checks, whereas exceptional inspections are carried out when an event may have affected the safety of the equipment.
If an event occurs that may have affected the safety of the equipment, an exceptional inspection must always be carried out, regardless of when the next periodic inspection is scheduled.
An exceptional inspection therefore functions as an additional safety check between periodic inspections.
Sources and References
AFS 2023:11
Chapter 15, Section 12 [...] Personal protective equipment shall be used in accordance with the instructions for use, which must be available and comprehensible to workers.
SS-EN 365:2004
4.2.2 m)
A warning stating that it is necessary to immediately remove equipment from service if:
- any doubt exists concerning the safety performance of the equipment; or
- the equipment has arrested a fall.
The equipment must not be used again until a competent person has confirmed in writing that it is safe to use.
4.2.2 k)
Instructions for the user to carry out a check of the equipment before each use, to ensure that it is in a serviceable condition and functioning correctly.
NOTE: The requirement to check equipment before each use is in certain cases not applicable where rescue and/or emergency equipment is pre-packaged or sealed by a competent person.
Links to Sources
https://www.sis.se/produkter/miljo-och-halsoskydd-sakerhet/skyddsutrustning/ovrigt/ssen3652004/