Ensuring the safety and reliability of your Personal Protective Equipment and other safety gear is essential before starting any task. A simple pre use inspection can prevent accidents and ensure you remain compliant with LOLER, PPE and Work at Height Regulations.
This guide explains how to check your equipment properly and how the RISE Safety App makes it easier to manage inspections, track certificates, and stay compliant.
1. Review the Manufacturer's Guidelines
Purpose: Understand the correct inspection and maintenance procedures for each type of safety equipment.
Action: Read the manufacturer’s user manual or instruction sheet for details on what to look for and how often inspections are required.
Tip: In the RISE Safety App you can instantly access digital copies of user manuals and manufacturer details for every registered item.
2. Conduct a Visual Inspection
Purpose: Identify any obvious signs of damage, wear, or contamination.
Action: Check the entire item for cracks, corrosion, fraying, loose stitching, cuts, abrasions, or chemical residue.
Tip: The RISE App lets you compare current photos with past inspection images so you can easily spot early signs of deterioration.
3. Check for Wear and Tear
Purpose: Make sure all components remain safe and functional.
Action: Examine straps, buckles, stitching, connectors, and metal parts for wear, distortion, or rust. Ensure moving parts operate smoothly.
Tip: When using the RISE Safety App you can scan the NFC tag to see a full component list, previous repairs, and inspection notes.
4. Test Functionality
Purpose: Verify that each mechanism works as intended.
Action: Test locking systems, release catches, adjusters, and moving parts. For mechanical or electronic items ensure batteries or indicators work correctly.
Tip: The RISE App records the date, time, and user performing each inspection giving you a full audit trail for compliance checks.
5. Verify Cleanliness
Purpose: Maintain hygiene and prevent material degradation.
Action: Wipe away oil, dirt, salt, or chemical residue using the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning methods. Never use harsh solvents.
Tip: The RISE App can store your cleaning logs and maintenance history alongside inspection data for complete traceability.
6. Confirm Certification and Expiry Dates
Purpose: Ensure all equipment meets current safety standards and has not passed its service date.
Action: Check printed labels, serial numbers, or metal tags for conformity details and expiry dates.
Tip: In the RISE Safety App you can instantly view certification details, expiry dates, and conformity documents for every asset in one place.
7. Document the Inspection
Purpose: Keep accurate records to prove compliance and maintain accountability.
Action: Record the inspection date, results, and any defects found using a paper checklist or digital logbook.
Tip: The RISE App allows you to complete daily inspections directly from your phone, automatically logging time, date, GPS location, and user ID.
8. Address Identified Issues
Purpose: Prevent unsafe equipment from being used in the field.
Action: Remove any damaged or expired equipment from service immediately. Arrange for repair or replacement before reuse.
Tip: The Report a Problem feature in the RISE App lets you attach photos, notes, and flag items as Not Fit for Purpose alerting your safety manager instantly.
Daily or pre use inspections are a legal requirement under the following regulations:
LOLER 1998 requires lifting equipment to be visually inspected before each use.
Work at Height Regulations 2005 require harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points to be inspected daily.
PPE at Work Regulations 1992 (amended 2022) require PPE to be maintained and checked regularly by a competent person.
RISE Basic Training Program
RISE offers an introductory training course that helps users confidently carry out daily PPE and fall protection inspections. Trainees learn how to identify common defects, document inspections correctly, and understand the principles of LOLER and Work at Height compliance.
Please fill in the form below to book training for daliy inspection compliance