How to Ensure Your Rescue Equipment Is Ready for Action with Professional Servicing

Regardless of the industry sector you are working in, the safety of your personnel is paramount. And if you are involved in operations that are a higher-than-average risk then specific safety protocols are non-negotiable. This means going beyond the norm to ensure all possible eventualities are covered and you have robust and comprehensive safety procedures in place. One of these is a professional servicing plan for your rescue equipment.

Working in sectors such as construction, utilities, mining or any industrial operation, there is a high safety risk and having emergency plans in place is essential. Whether you have personnel working at height, in confined spaces, in underground areas or even underwater areas, you must have a practical and effective rescue plan in place and that involves rescue equipment. Common types of rescue equipment include breathing apparatus and ventilation systems, fall arrest and retrieval devices, winches, stretchers, harnesses and ropes. These are all items that are critical in rescue operations and could be required at any time, so a two-step maintenance programme needs to be in place.

How servicing rescue equipment can ensure the safety of your personnel

A thorough maintenance programme for your rescue equipment should involve users regularly inspecting their rescue equipment. This should be done after every use, and periodically whether an item has been used or not. This will highlight any issues with the performance or condition of the item. But to properly safeguard the condition and suitability of a piece of rescue equipment it should be serviced on a routine basis by qualified personnel.

Having a piece of rescue equipment regularly and professionally serviced means it has been inspected and tested by qualified technicians with specific expertise, and this service will be certified as complying with the relevant industry standards. This ensures you have gone to the maximum extent to confirm a piece of rescue equipment is in peak condition at all times and is ready for action whenever it is required. Some items will require servicing more frequently than others, six-monthly rather than annually, for example, depending on:

• The nature of their use
• The frequency of their use
• The risk factor of the operation they are performing, i.e. the results of a risk assessment
• The environment they are used in

What does servicing rescue equipment involve?

A professional servicing programme will essentially confirm an item of rescue equipment is safe, functional and operates correctly. A service programme will therefore vary depending on the nature of the item, but in general will involve:

• Inspection – Looking for obvious signs of damage or deterioration
• Performance – Assessing how the item operates its primary function as closely as possible, in order to check whether there are any obvious flaws in its performance or whether it is not achieving a specific standard of performance
• Calibration – Where applicable an item can be calibrated against a known standard to ensure it is performing as it is designed to
• Repair – Any identified flaws or damage can be repaired or parts replaced
• Certificate – An accredited service provider can issue a certificate to confirm and demonstrate that the item of rescue equipment complies with the applicable standards and is in peak condition and ready for use in rescue operations

In addition to regular inspection and professional servicing, it is recommended that any operations where rescue equipment and emergency procedures are required, also have clear procedures in place for how rescue equipment is used. This ensures their safe use, safe storage, that they are used in line with manufacturer’s guidelines and that they are used by competent people. This all helps to maintain the good and serviceable condition of rescue equipment, but doesn’t reduce or remove the need for regular professional servicing to ensure full safety compliance.

The benefits of professional servicing for your rescue equipment

There are many benefits to having an item professionally serviced, many of which we have already covered and don’t really need explaining, but others involve cost savings and ensuring you can maintain an efficient operation. These benefits include:

• The safety of your personnel in rescue situations because the best possible equipment is available and functional, and has been serviced by qualified parties
• Legal compliance
• Parts availability – a professional service provider will have access to spares and replacement parts, which means your equipment can be repaired and made available much quicker
• On-site servicing – many service providers carry out equipment servicing on-site, which means your equipment doesn’t have to go off-site. This minimises possible downtime and disruption to your operations if key rescue equipment isn’t available

Professional servicing for your rescue equipment with Civil Safety

At Civil Safety we can carry out a professional service for your rescue equipment directly on your site, or if you prefer, we can do it in-house at our IDEST-approved test and inspection centre. We can ensure your rescue equipment is fully compliant with industry standards, but most importantly, is functional, available and ready to use when you need it. So check out our servicing options and send us an enquiry today.