Rope Access Equipment Inspection

Rope access equipment includes ropes, harnesses, descenders, ascenders, connectors, and anchor devices.
All rope access equipment is life-critical PPE and must be inspected before every single use.
LOLER 1998 requires thorough examination of rope access equipment at least every six months.
IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) sets the international standard for equipment inspection.
Ropes must be inspected for cuts, abrasion, chemical contamination, UV degradation, and core damage.
Harnesses must be checked for stitching integrity, buckle function, and webbing wear or fraying.
Metallic components such as karabiners and descenders must be checked for cracks, gate function, and corrosion.
Equipment exposed to a fall arrest event must be immediately withdrawn from service and quarantined.
Each item must have a unique identification number and individual inspection record maintained in a log.
Only persons trained to IRATA Level 3 or equivalent should carry out detailed periodic inspections.

Prevent fatal falls	Rope access equipment is the sole means of fall prevention — any failure results in a fatal fall.
Legal compliance	LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998 require regular thorough examination and pre-use checks of all lifting equipment.
Equipment degradation	Ropes and textile components degrade from UV, chemicals, and wear — only inspection detects hidden damage.

Do

Don't

Inspect every item of rope access equipment before each use without exception
Check ropes for cuts, abrasion, soft spots, discolouration, and chemical contamination
Verify harness stitching, buckles, and webbing are intact with no signs of wear
Test karabiner gates for smooth operation, correct locking, and absence of cracks
Record all inspections in the equipment log with date, inspector name, and result
Withdraw any equipment immediately that fails inspection or has been shock-loaded
Ensure all equipment has a unique ID number traceable to its inspection history
Arrange six-monthly thorough examinations by a competent person as required by LOLER
Store equipment in clean, dry, UV-protected conditions away from chemicals and heat
Replace equipment at the manufacturer's recommended retirement date regardless of condition

DON'T use any rope access equipment that has not been inspected before the current use
DON'T continue using ropes with cuts, glazing, soft spots, or visible core damage
DON'T use karabiners with stiff gates, cracks, or corrosion on load-bearing surfaces
DON'T put shock-loaded equipment back into service without formal inspection and approval
DON'T store ropes in direct sunlight or near chemicals, solvents, or heat sources
DON'T lend or borrow equipment without confirming its inspection status and ID records
DON'T skip the six-monthly thorough examination — it is a legal requirement under LOLER
DON'T mark or modify equipment in ways that could weaken it or mask damage
DON'T use equipment beyond the manufacturer's stated maximum service life
DON'T allow unqualified persons to carry out periodic detailed equipment inspections

See also: Rope Access Safety | Harness and Lanyard Use

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