What is the importance of the annual inspection? The answers may surprise you. The annual inspection allows users to validate if the equipment is fit to remain in service, but most of all, it allows them to validate if the pre-use inspections are being done properly or need improvement.
Often, understanding the process surrounding this practice is as important as the inspection itself. While a user manual will give you the tools to understand the inspection of your equipment, it will not always give you a complete procedure or global approach. There are beneficial things you can do and know, that are often overlooked by managers, users and sometimes even designated equipment inspectors.
Whether it's a helicopter sling, a rescue harness, an anchor strap or fall protection equipment, the manufacturer’s guidelines will vary and include several important steps that must be followed.
Photo credit: Heli Air Sweden
For example, Barry user manuals have a 3-step approach to the inspection of our products:
- Initial inspection (upon receipt of the products)
Inspect the equipment – is this what you ordered? Is everything there, and in new condition? Do you have the documentation and user manual for the product?
- Pre-use inspection (before each use)
What kind of condition is the equipment in? When was it last used? What were the storage conditions? Who used it last, when and how? Is this the best tool for this job ?
- Formal / Annual Inspection
The primary purpose of the annual inspection is not only to validate whether a piece of equipment is fit to remain in service, but also to validate whether other types of inspections have been done and have complete traceability of this products service history and uses.
For example, if a piece of equipment fails the annual inspection, the real problem is that the failed piece of equipment was still in service, and the pre-service inspections did not flag the issue.
During formal inspections, if equipment is to be removed, it must be done immediately and permanently to prevent accidental reinstatement of the damaged equipment.
Who should be doing the annual formal inspections ?
The formal inspection must be done at least once a year by a competent person (other than the primary end-user of the product).
Photo credit: Volo Mission
The annual inspection allows users to validate if the equipment is fit to remain in service, but most of all, it allows them to validate if the pre-use inspections are being done properly or need improvement.
The objective is to have an unbiased collection of information and analysis performed by a qualified person. There are many ways to advance your competence and knowledge in the field of equipment inspection. Like many trusted manufacturers, Barry offers a wide range of training and technical resources in this field for people of all levels.
Finally, the annual inspection allows users to validate if the equipment is fit to remain in service, but most of all, it allows them to validate if the pre-use inspections are being done properly or need improvement. This can come in the form of new training, continued learning, or refresher courses.
To complete the inspection of a Barry product, please refer to its instruction manual :
Posted by Marc-André Pilon on
