UVSAR

Books and publications: Technical Safety Handbooks

When you need in-depth information from the leading experts in fall protection and safety, look no further than our Technical Safety Handbooks. The first title in our series covers a unique and much-demanded topic:-

Inspecting Personal Fall Protection Equipment

ISBN 978-0-9560784-1-4

This essential reference is the first complete guide to inspecting all forms of industrial and sporting PFPE, covering the legal and record-keeping requirements for UK workplaces, plus the practical process of inspection and maintenance, in complete detail and an easy-to-read style.

If you are working at height of in confined spaces as part of a job, as a member of a rescue team, or enjoy extreme sports as a climber, caver, canyoner or bungee jumper, your life depends on your safety equipment. Being able to inspect and maintain your gear in a safe working condition is an essential skill, and in a workplace is required by law. Many times the standards, laws, guidance and advice you receive can be confusing, even to expert users. This book explains it all.

Personal fall protection equipment comes in a huge range of styles, from a coil of rope to the latest complex designs of descender or rescue system. Inspecting and maintaining each item requires a detailed knowledge of standards, design specifications, corrosion, wear and chemical damage. The book is packed with full-colour photos and cutting-edge computer graphics, which chapters on each type of device explaining clearly what standards they should meet, how they should operate, and how they can fail. The information and techniques can be applied to any brand of equipment, including gear used for sport, in outdoor activity centres or by clubs and teams as well as that used in a workplace.

• 160 full-color pages with over 200 photos and diagrams of good and bad gear.
• Fully updated with all standards and UK laws issued to Jan 2009.
• Sample reports, detailed checklists and background explanations.
• Suitable for all types of workplace and sporting users.
• RRP £29.95 (paperback)

FREE report templates

You can download PDF copies of our blank WAHR and LOLER inspection report templates (pages 30 and 32) from our free downloads page.

Ordering

UK customers can buy this book direct from stock* for £29.95 each by clicking here (free delivery for one copy). You can also order copies from all the leading bookstores and book websites by quoting the ISBN number. * Dispatched within 24hrs via Royal Mail 2nd class, weekends excluded.

Trade customers, please click here for information.

FAQs

What standards and equipment does the book refer to?

We avoid brand-specific naming as much as possible, and refer to equipment via EN standards and generic design features. The legal aspects of work at height refer to the UK (Work at Height Regulations, PUWER and LOLER, etc.), however the techniques and protocols described in the book for inspecting each item are universally-applicable.

Does the book make me into a 'competent person'?

In law, to be 'competent' means you have the necessary skills and experience, both theoretical and practical, to carry out inspections of the items placed before you. This book provides a complete reference to these skills, but of course cannot provide 'experience' of the specific brands and models you are inspecting. Only you can decide if you are indeed competent to inspect a particular item, but there is no legal requirement to be certified or to hold any academic qualification. If you are familiar with the item, have access to the instructions, and follow the guidance in this book carefully, there is no reason why you could not safely and legally perform inspections of PFPE in a workplace.

Do you provide the book as a download?

No. The book contains Crown copyright material subject to reproduction licenses which do not extend to ebook versions.

We aren't in the UK - is the book still suitable for us?

Although the first section of the book is aimed at complying with UK workplace legislation, the main body of the text covering the actual inspection process applies to any item, and in any country using CE and EN standards schemes. The book is not intended for markets following the OSHA/NFPA frameworks (USA, Canada, etc.), where equipment and techniques are significantly different. We are hoping to publish a second version of the book for these markets, subject to customer demand.

I'm a sport user / club member not a workplace inspector. Is the book still suitable?

Very much so - as an individual, personal user you can ignore the first couple of pages on workplace laws, but 90% of the book is entirely relevant to sport climbers, cavers, mountaineers, etc. - anyone who uses harnesses and ropes. As a member of a club, you will often find it's easier (and safer for your members) to follow the "workplace" style of inspections even though you don't have to. Some insurance companies will insist on it.

Can I copy/extract parts of the book for training/newsletters/etc.?

With permission, yes. Contact us using the button below, and describe what parts you wish to use and how they'll be used, and we will normally be happy to provide permission. Without it, you will be breaking copyright law.

Can I use/sell copies as part of a training course?

Yes - indeed many training companies already do. If you are in need of bulk purchases, contact us for info on discounted pricing.

Can I copy the blank form templates for use in my company?

Yes, but you'll find it easier to download those pages from the link above, as a free PDF. You can make as many copies of those forms as your want, but you cannot re-sell the templates.