According to the standard EN 365:2004, height safety equipment must undergo periodic examination by a competent person. This means that not just anyone can carry out these inspections — specific criteria must be met to ensure the safety and reliability of the equipment.
A competent person is defined as someone who can clearly demonstrate:
- Sufficient professional or technical training – They must have undergone proper education or instruction specific to the equipment and its use.
- Relevant knowledge – They should fully understand how the equipment works, the risks involved, and what signs of damage or wear to look out for.
- Authority and impartiality – The person must have the authority to make decisions regarding the equipment's use and be unbiased in their assessments.
- Practical experience – They should have hands-on experience with height safety equipment and know how it is used in real-world situations.
- Ability to carry out assigned duties – They must be able to perform the inspection duties to the standard required, taking full responsibility for their findings and recommendations.
This means that unless you meet all the above criteria, you should not inspect your own height safety equipment. It's essential that inspections are carried out by someone fully qualified to ensure safety is not compromised.
Key points:
- Inspections must follow EN 365:2004 standards.
- Only a “competent person” is authorised to perform examinations.
- A competent person must have training, knowledge, authority, impartiality, and experience.
- Individuals without this competency should not inspect their own height safety equipment.
- Ensuring proper inspection helps maintain equipment safety and user protection.
If you need further support, please contact our Technical Support Team using the email: technical@jspsafety.com or contact us via our WhatsApp.