PPE Inspections (Personal Protective Equipment)

Currently under the requirements of EN 15567 - Part 2 and the European PPE Regulations all of the equipment used on your course needs to be checked on an annual basis by a qualified & competent person.

Operational Inspection

This is a more detailed inspection (than a routine inspection) and should be carried out every 1-3 months or as per the constructors/manufacturers’ guidelines, by a competent member of staff or independent Inspector;

“An Operational Inspection should be as comprehensive and thorough as a Periodic Inspection – the only difference being the latter has a greater degree of independence. This requires inspectors to be as competent and knowledgeable as they should be for a Periodic Inspection. For example, they may need to determine the degree of rot in a timber pole and decide, based on industry standards, whether it is acceptable. A thorough knowledge of wire rope discard criteria is invariably essential for an Operational Inspection” - UK Ropes Course Guide 2015. Edition 4.1 .21

We can help you set up, run and audit your operational inspections!

Periodical / Annual Inspection

This should be carried out once per year, after minor changes, storm damage or any other concern by; a qualified and competent Inspector or Inspection Body.

The inspection consists of (as a minimum);

• A functionality test carried out at height
• A practical ‘check’ of elements/activities to ensure they are ‘fit for purpose’
• An assessment of worn components and requirements for their replacement
• Verify that operational paperwork is in place
• Verify that PPE is logged
• Verify that a tree examination has been carried out (if applicable)

Anchor Testing

Various types of anchor installation exist, including; eye-nuts, strops, tapes, slings, wire strops, eye bolts, lifelines and dead-weight anchors. Anchors are also used to support many other outdoor applications.

We test all of the ground belay anchors & climbing wall anchors to; EN15567, EN 12572 and EN795 when conducting anchor inspections

Wooden Pole Inspections

Treated wood poles are widely used throughout the ropes course & playground industries. All wood components used in the construction of these facilities have a limited life-span and are subject to degradation over a period of time.

The periodical pole inspection should be carried out Annually by an experienced and competent inspector. The main purpose of the pole inspection is to identify:

• The condition of your facilities poles and/or other wooden components
• Whether a pole is treatable or unserviceable
• Type of damage to poles e.g. shakes, mechanical shakes and even woodpeckers
• To forecast a treatment plan (if applicable

High-Low have replaced many rotten poles and damaged poles. Earlier detection by a fully separate wooden pole inspection could have saved operators £thousands!

Climbing Wall Inspections

During the inspection of your facility, we examine the following;

• Bolt-on hold placements
• Bolt-on holds
• Final protection points
• Intermediate protection points
• Wall surface integrity
• Sub structure
• Safety surface

Inspections also include looking at the condition of the surrounding areas and the walls compliance with EN 12572 & EN 795 standards. Following your inspection, we provide a full and detailed report about the condition of the wall

Playground Inspections

We provide ‘Operational’ playground inspections. The European Standard for Playground Safety, BS EN1176, states;

Such inspections should be carried out by an appropriately qualified and competent member of staff or alternatively by a suitably qualified specialist and should be recorded. These inspections should be carried out on a quarterly basis as a minimum.

Please contact us for more details.