Why Do You Need to Service Height Safety and Confined Space Devices?
The maintenance of Height Safety and Confined Space Devices are dictated under the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1891.4:2009 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices, Part 4: Selection, use and maintenance.
Before every use:
All Inertia Reels, Self-Retracting Lifelines, Winches and Rope systems must be inspected prior to each and every use.
They must be visually inspected to:
Devices should be checked before and after use by the user.
6 Monthly inspections by a Height Safety Equipment Inspector
All Inertia Reels, Self-Retracting Lifelines, Winches and Rope systems must be inspected every 6 months by a Height Safety Equipment Inspector and in order to for fill the Australian Standard Requirements, the results must be documented.
12 Monthly Recommended Service by an Authorized Service Agent
AS/NZS 1891.4:2009 states that all fall arrestors Type 2 and Type 3 need to be serviced annually unless specified by the manufacturer to having a lifespan of a maximum 5 years. Most Type 2 and Type 3 Devices distributed by height safety manufacturers require annual servicing by an authorized service agent.
During this service, the Type 2 and Type 3 devices are dismantled and depending on the block, mandatory replacement parts are switched as directed by the manufacturer.
What you can’t see………During an external inspection, the internals are not visible, therefore it can’t be visualized. This is what you don’t see: Corrosion, debris, broken internals, contamination, worn components.
Before every use:
All Inertia Reels, Self-Retracting Lifelines, Winches and Rope systems must be inspected prior to each and every use.
They must be visually inspected to:
- Ensure the casing of the device is clean and free of any debris or damage
- Ensure all the hooks, karabiners and thimbles are clean and in working order
- Ensure a wire cable is intact and has no kinks, broken wires or corrosion
- Ensure webbing is intact and has no nicks, burns or broken stitches
- Ensure locking mechanisms works when the line is pulled sharply.
- If your hook indication point is deployed, remove from service immediately.
Devices should be checked before and after use by the user.
6 Monthly inspections by a Height Safety Equipment Inspector
All Inertia Reels, Self-Retracting Lifelines, Winches and Rope systems must be inspected every 6 months by a Height Safety Equipment Inspector and in order to for fill the Australian Standard Requirements, the results must be documented.
12 Monthly Recommended Service by an Authorized Service Agent
AS/NZS 1891.4:2009 states that all fall arrestors Type 2 and Type 3 need to be serviced annually unless specified by the manufacturer to having a lifespan of a maximum 5 years. Most Type 2 and Type 3 Devices distributed by height safety manufacturers require annual servicing by an authorized service agent.
During this service, the Type 2 and Type 3 devices are dismantled and depending on the block, mandatory replacement parts are switched as directed by the manufacturer.
What you can’t see………During an external inspection, the internals are not visible, therefore it can’t be visualized. This is what you don’t see: Corrosion, debris, broken internals, contamination, worn components.
At what other times should you get your device serviced?
- If your device is trigger indicated
- Not functioning correctly, locking, swivel hook not swiveling etc
- The life line is cut, fraying, stretching or damaged due to heat or solvents.
- Loose or missing screws or nuts
- At any time you are concerned about the device
- 3M Digital Winches require servicing at 12 monthly intervals or when the counter reaches 10,000 rotations.