Fall Protection Equipment Inspection Frequency

This document outlines the required inspection frequencies for fall protection equipment to ensure worker safety and compliance with regulatory standards. Regular inspections are crucial for identifying defects, wear, and damage that could compromise the integrity and effectiveness of fall protection systems. This document specifies inspection protocols for various components of fall protection, including personal fall arrest systems, positioning devices, safety nets and more.

General Inspection Requirements

Personal fall protection systems must be inspected before initial use during each workshift for mildew, wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components must be removed from service. [10]

Any personal fall protection system or its components subjected to impact loading must be removed from service immediately and not used again until a competent person inspects the system or components and determines that it is not damaged and safe for use for employee personal fall protection. [5]

Competent Person Inspections

A competent person shall ensure that all fall protection equipment is inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, defect or other deterioration by employees who have been trained. Defective equipment shall be identified as defective and immediately removed from service. [3]

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS)

Each personal fall arrest system shall be inspected not less than twice annually by a competent person in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. The date of each inspection shall be documented. [1]

PFAS shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service. [7]

Positioning Device Systems

Positioning device systems shall be inspected prior to each use for wear, damage, and other deterioration, and defective components shall be removed from service. [1]

Safety Net Systems

Safety nets shall be inspected at least once a week for wear, damage, and other deterioration. Defective components shall be removed from service. Safety nets shall also be inspected after any occurrence which could affect the integrity of the safety net system. [2]

Ladders

Prior to climbing the structure, a competent person shall ensure that the ladder safety system has been inspected for proper operation and that all components used with the ladder safety system are compatible. [9]

Gin Poles

Gin poles shall have a documented inspection annually by a qualified person. In addition to the annual inspection, the employer shall designate a competent person who shall visually inspect the gin pole and rigging prior to each use, and during use, to make sure it is in safe operating condition. Any deficiencies shall be repaired before use continues. [3]

Rope Descent Systems

Before any rope descent system is used, the building owner must inform the employer, in writing that the building owner has identified, tested, certified, and maintained each anchorage so it is capable of supporting at least 5,000 pounds (268 kg), in any direction, for each employee attached. The information must be based on an annual inspection by a qualified person and certification of each anchorage by a qualified person, as necessary, and at least every 10 years. [4]

Elevating Work Platforms

An elevating work platform shall be inspected by the operator before use on each shift and a condition that could endanger workers shall be remedied before the platform may be used. [6]

An elevating work platform shall be inspected, maintained, repaired and modified in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, the relevant CSA Standard, the direction of a professional engineer, or another standard acceptable to the minister. [6]

An insulated aerial device shall be dielectrically tested at least annually in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-C225 "Vehicle Mounted Aerial Devices" or other standard acceptable to the minister and the insulating capability of the aerial device shall be certified by the testing agency. [6]

Documentation

The planning and inspections shall be performed and documented. The documentation shall be maintained on-site while work is being performed. The documentation shall include the date of the planning and inspection, the name of the competent person performing the planning and inspection, and the site location. [9]

Training

Before an employee uses a fall protection system, an employer shall ensure that he or she is trained in the proper use of the system. Training should stress the importance of inspections prior to use, the limitations of the equipment to be used, and unique conditions at the worksite that may be important. [8] [8]

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