Updates to Personal Equipment for Work at Height Standards
Standards Australia are in the process of releasing revisions to two Standards for Personal for Work at Height – AS/NZS1891.1 and AS/NZ1891.5, The revised standards will outline new regulations for full body, combination and lower-body harnesses, lanyards and pole straps.
Standards Australia have however released a new version to AS/NZS 1891.3, these new regulations include the specification of the maximum force for a supporting lanyard– this is now limited to 6kN and the strength requirements for an anchorage line and attachment hardware are now consistently specified as 15kN – as your partner in height safety we make sure you are stayed informed and kept in the loop when it comes to new and revised standards.
Make sure you’ve got the right gear. We stock a full range of quality PPE that complies with the latest Standards. Available now for fast delivery! Check it out
A question we often get asked is how long should you expect height safety PPE and gear like harnesses to last?
PPE including harnesses and lanyards have an average lifespan of 10 years from date of manufacture, however most of the harnesses and lanyards will not make it to the end of 10 years. The main reasons a harness will be tagged “out of service” is due to mistreatment, dirt and oil build-up and incorrect storage or if it’s been stressed or damaged in an incident or fall. As per AS/NZS 1981.4 – 2009, once the ‘remove from service’ date has been reached it must be taken out of service and destroyed.
PPE must be checked before and after each use and be inspected by a qualified height safety equipment inspector every six months. If you look after your PPE, it lasts longer! Requirements for the inspection of equipment are summarised in table 9.1 of AS/NZS 1891.4:2009 Section 9 Inspection, Maintenance and Storage. View this table below
ITEM | REFERENCE AS/NZS 1891.4:2009 | FREQUENCY |
Personal equipment including harnesses, lanyards, connectors, fall arrest devices including common use devices | Clause 9.2 | Before and after each use. By a height safety operator or – if not competent – by another competent person. |
Harnesses, lanyards, associated personal equipment. Fall arrest devices (external inspection only) Ropes and slings | Clause 9.3.2 Clause 9.3.4(a) Clause 9.7 | 6 monthly inspection. By a height safety equipment inspector |
Anchorages – Drilled in type or attached to timber frames Anchorages – Other types | Clause 9.3.3 Clause 9.3.3 | 12 monthly inspection As recommended by manufacturer to a maximum of 5 years 12 monthly inspection in the absence of such recommendation By a height safety equipment inspector |
Fall arrest devices – Full service | Clause 9.3.4(b) | As recommended by manufacturer to a maximum of 5 years 12 monthly service in the absence of such recommendation By a height safety equipment inspector |
Horizontal and Vertical Lifelines – steel rope or rail | Clause 9.3.5 | As recommended by manufacturer to a maximum of 5 years 12 monthly service in the absence of such recommendation By a height safety equipment inspector |
Horizontal and Vertical Lifelines – Fibre rope / web | Clause 9.3.5 & 9.7 | 6 monthly inspection By a height safety equipment inspector |
All items that have been stressed as a result of a fall | Clause 9.5 | Inspection before further use By a height safety equipment inspector |
Learn more about inspecting your harness equipment
For advice about your fall arrest systems, or to replace any ageing height safety equipment, speak to Anchor Safe today.
