Fall Arrest Equipment Inspection and Anchor Testing SWMS

For safety inspectors, riggers, roofing and height safety contractors who inspect fall arrest gear and test anchor points. It follows the job in order, from planning and ground inspection to access, anchor inspection, load testing, condemning and records, and uses the Queensland fall arrest harness rules. Installing anchors is a separate task.

Inspecting and testing anchors on roofs and structures involves a risk of a fall of more than 2 metres, so that item is ticked for you (WHS Regulation s 291) and a SWMS is required before the work starts (s 299). Add any other item that applies. If you only inspect harnesses and lanyards on the ground, untick it and use this as a written safe work procedure.

Learn More: What Is A Safe Work Method Statement?
Have you ever been asked to provide a SWMS on a project in Queensland? Read our guide to what a Safe Work Method Statement is and when you need one.

What Is Covered In Our Fall Arrest Equipment Inspection and Anchor Testing SWMS?

The job steps run in the order the work is done, from pre-start checks to finishing up. The hazards and controls include:

• Missed damage to harnesses, lanyards and connectors
• Locking devices failing in a fall
• Falls while reaching anchors on roofs and structures
• Anchors or fixings failing during a load test
• Struck by test rigs or broken lines
• Fragile roof surfaces
• Dropped tools and test gear
• Worn anchors used by mistake
• Condemned equipment returned to service
• Suspension trauma if a harness is loaded

High Risk Construction Work

These high risk construction work items (WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) s 291) are already ticked because they are part of this work. Tick any others that apply to your job:

• Involves a risk of a person falling more than 2m

Licences, Training and Competency

• General construction induction training card (white card) for construction work, and site induction
• Competent person to inspect the components of each fall arrest system, and to inspect and approve each anchorage point before first use (WHS Regulation s 306I): trained and experienced in the equipment and, for anchors, in testing methods
• Engineer where an anchorage point must be designed, or where the supporting structure, the test method or the test figure is not set by the manufacturer
• Training for anyone who uses a fall arrest harness system in its safe and correct use, and in the rescue plan (WHS Regulation ss 80 and 306I(9))
• Boom-type elevating work platform of 11 m boom length or more: high risk work licence (Schedule 3 item 21)
• No high risk work licence is needed to inspect or test fall arrest equipment; installing anchors and static lines is covered by separate SWMS
• Trained rescuers and a first aider on site

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)
• Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice 2021 (individual fall arrest systems)
• Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2021
• Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice 2021
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021
• How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice 2021
• WHS Regulation: s 80 (emergency and rescue procedures), s 291 (high risk construction work), ss 306A-306Q (falls), in particular s 306G (travel restraint) and s 306I (fall arrest harness system)
• AS/NZS 1891.4 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices: Selection, use and maintenance (cited in the Falls Code)

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (12 pages), laid out on A4 landscape pages
• Business, client, job and document details typed once and filled in on every page, plus a space for your logo
• The high risk construction work checklist, worded as WHS Regulation s 291, and the construction project question (s 292)
• A worker and health and safety representative consultation record
• Qualifications, plant, PPE, hazardous chemicals, safety equipment, permits, references and emergency arrangements filled in for this work
• A 5 x 5 risk matrix, and job steps with initial and residual risk scores and the people responsible
• Implementing, monitoring and review requirements, an additional controls log, revision history and a worker sign-on sheet

Review and adjust it for your site, your plant and the way your crew does the job, and talk it through with your workers before work starts. If you have any trouble downloading this SWMS, you can contact us at any time. Please make sure you read our Disclaimer before downloading this SWMS.