height safety inspections

Height Safety Inspections

Any areas at height, access to them and  fall arrest systems all need to be regularly inspected to ensure that they are safe, in good order and compliant. This includes:

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• stairs, ladders, landings, walkways,

• work areas, platforms, gantries, plant, guardrails and

• fall arrest systems, anchors, static lines, harnesses and PPE

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​This is part of the legislative requirement to provide and maintain a safe workplace.

Access Safety Australia undertakes regular inspections of fall arrest equipment to ensure that roof anchors, static lines, harnesses & PPE are safe for use and compliant with OHS legislation, Australian Standards and manufacturers specifications.

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Our regular inspections of fall prevention equipment ensures that stairs, ladders, walkways, guardrails, gantries and platforms are safe for use and compliant with OHS legislation, Australian Standards and manufacturers specifications.

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Stairs, fixed ladders & portable ladders:

There is no mandated inspection schedule for these items however in order to comply with legislation they must be maintained and comply with relevant standards :

AS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders  or

AS/NZS 1892 Portable ladders

AS 1657 requires stair tread nosings to be clearly visible and as these are subject to wear they need inspection & maintenance.

As portable ladders are subject to misuse and damage we often see non compliant, damaged and dangerous ladders in workplaces and recommend 12 monthly inspections to ensure compliance with AS/NZS 1892.

Fixed walkways, platforms & guardrails

There is no required inspection schedule for these items however in order to comply with legislation they must be maintained and comply with relevant standards : AS 1657 

As self closing gates and removable guardrails are subject to misuse and damage we often see non compliant & damaged gates and guardrails in workplaces and recommend 12 monthly inspections to ensure compliance with AS 1657

Fall arrest systems

Fall arrest systems: Anchor points, horizontal lifelines (static lines) & rails, vertical (ladder) lifelines.
Anchors (drilled in) require 12 monthly inspections as per AS/NZS 1891
Anchors require  12 monthly inspections as per AS/NZS 1891. (or as recommended by the manufacturer to a maximum of 5 yearly)

Horizontal lifelines (static lines) and rails require 12 monthly inspections as per AS/NZS 1891. (or as recommended by the manufacturer to a maximum of 5 yearly)

Vertical (ladder) lifelines require 12 monthly inspections as per AS/NZS 1891. (or as recommended by the manufacturer to a maximum of 5 yearly)

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Fall arrest equipment

Fall arrest equipment: PPE, Harnesses, lanyards, fall arrest devices, ropes and slings require 6 monthly inspections as per AS/NZS 1891.

It should be noted that harsh environments (such as construction or mine sites) can require more frequent inspections and this is often done on a 3 monthly basis to tie in with colour coded test and tag cycles.

Test and Tag

Equipment that requires regular inspection should be tagged to show it has passed inspection, is compliant and safe for use.

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Unfortunately we attend many sites where anchors, static lines, ladders and fall arrest equipment has been tagged at regular intervals despite being broken, non compliant or incorrectly installed.

It is vital to have an inspector that is independent and not associated with the installer.

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Access Safety Australia provides a true independent inspection service for all height safety systems and equipment.

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