Review – Safety Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007
The 2007 Act requires a competent person to carry out examination and inspection of hazardous equipment. The regulations give an overview of categories of plant and equipment which require engineering inspection.
What is required?
A thorough examination is a systematic and detailed visual scrutiny of all critical load bearing parts and the functional testing of all safety critical devices. Where critical components and devices are hidden then they must be exposed for such detailed scrutiny. Where deemed necessary by the Competent Person, a thorough examination can be supported by the application of load and/or non-destructive testing.
What is the purpose of the examination?
To assess the integrity of the plant and equipment and to provide a report outlining defects which could pose a safety hazard.
What is a competent person?
The duty holder should ensure that the person carrying out a thorough examination has suitable and sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge of the lifting equipment to be thoroughly examined as will enable them to detect defects and weaknesses. Furthermore, they should be capable of assessing the significance of such defects and weaknesses in order to advise on the continued safe use of the equipment being examined.
A competent person should be independent & impartial. Ideally, the person responsible for the repairs will not be the person who undertakes the inspection. A company with the relevant expertise can undertake their own inspections but it is important that the inspection is made by a suitable employee without fear or favour.
What should the report contain?
The final report should contain as a minimum, the particulars set out in Schedule 1, Part E of the regulations, summarised as follows:
1. Details of the owner for whom the thorough examination was undertaken.
2. Details of the location where the thorough examination was undertaken.
3. Sufficient detail necessary to identify the item.
4. Date of the current and last thorough examination.
5. Capacity details of the equipment at all operating configurations.
6. The nature of the thorough examination (i.e. periodic, post installation or repair, etc).
7. The defects which are or could become a danger to persons, the remedial action required and the time scale within which the workmust be completed.
8. Date of the next thorough examination.
9. Details of any tests undertaken as part of the thorough examination.
10. Details of the individual who carried out the thorough examination.
11. Details of the person authenticating the report.
This article gives an overview of some aspects of the Act. Please seek advice on all areas of health and safety from a qualified person or contact the Health & Safety Authority.
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Disclaimer: The material contained is this article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.
