Standards Development

Scope

This British Standard provides requirements for those designing, manufacturing and installing Personal Fall Protection Systems (PFPS) to:

a) have been appropriately trained, and to

b) have sufficient knowledge, experience and competence to design, manufacture, install, maintain and inspect in accordance with:

- BS 7883 Personal fall protection equipment – Anchor systems – System design, installation and inspection – Code of practice.

BS EN 795, PD CEN/TS 16415, BS EN 353-1, BS EN 353-2 and/or anchor systems conforming to BS 8610.

Purpose

There is currently no specific Standard for Duty Holders/Clients to use in order to ensure safety critical Personal Fall Protection Systems are designed, manufactured, installed, maintained and inspected by individuals/entities that have the required competence, experience, knowledge and training.

Over the last thirty years the fall protection industry has evolved due to the need for Duty Holders, Clients and designers to fulfil their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, as well as The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and The Work at Height Regulations 2005.

The fall protection industry remains without a formal apprenticeship or Standard and as such there is no means of measuring the ability/performance of those individuals/entities that offer such products and services.

There is a need to provide Duty Holders/Clients with clarity/guidance to ensure those involved with the designing, manufacturing, installing, maintaining and inspecting have received recognised training and have relevant knowledge and experience to fulfil their professional responsibilities in respect of product design, testing, manufacturing, assembly/installation and inspection to ensure the product is safe and fit for purpose to protect workers.