WHAT NEXT IF I FAIL A SAFETY CHECK?

Failing your safety check

So you’ve just had your lifting and rigging equipment tested and tagged, only to find out some of your gear has failed. What do you do next?

Can you still use it?

Your first question is probably, can I still use it? Once an item has been deemed unsafe, it is well, unsafe to use, so the short answer is no. There can be serious consequences if you use unsafe lifting and rigging equipment. Besides the obvious importance of keeping your workers and the general public safe; you also need to consider the legal implications for your company from a workplace health and safety perspective. Safety checks are designed to protect you, your company and the staff from unnecessary injury and legal disputes. Using unsafe gear may lead to the loss of jobs, work, a tarnished reputation and worse case injury or death. You may not think about it often, but safety checks are invaluable.

Can you keep it?

So does that mean you have to throw the equipment away? Not necessarily, depending on the reason it failed and the type of equipment, in many cases it’s a simple repair and then you’re back on track. It may be as easy as contacting the inspection and testing service company that failed the equipment in the first place and getting a quote for repair. Alternatively, the Australian Standards or manufacturer of the item can often give detail on the repair requirements for the item.

The item should be tagged out and removed from use until it is either destroyed or repaired by a competent person.

If the equipment is beyond repair, it is advisable that you completely replace the equipment. Safety is a very serious issue, and with heavy lifting equipment having strict safety guidelines, it’s best to invest in new lifting and rigging gear. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you have any questions regarding inspections and repairs of lifting, rigging and height safety equipment don’t hesitate to contact the All Lifting team of specialists today on 1300 666 733.