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British Standards at Height
How to Stay Safe, Compliant, and Ahead of the Curve
BS 8437: Code of Practice for Personal Fall Protection
BS 8437 provides practical guidance on selecting, using, and maintaining fall protection systems. It helps duty holders understand how to plan safe access and ensure equipment is used appropriately—including the need for rescue planning.
BS EN 365: PPE Traceability and Maintenance
This standard outlines how personal protective equipment (PPE) for work at height should be marked, documented, and maintained. It’s essential for tracking inspections, repairs, and recertification dates.
BS 7883: Anchor Systems Installation & Testing
BS 7883 governs how anchor systems are designed, installed, and tested to withstand fall arrest loads. It’s especially relevant for buildings retrofitting permanent safety solutions.
Inspection Intervals: Know Your Timeline
Most fall protection systems require annual recertification, but PPE such as harnesses or lanyards should be inspected before each use and formally checked every six months (or more frequently in harsh environments).
Keeping Your Fall Protection Systems Up to Standard
Fall protection systems must be regularly inspected and maintained to remain compliant with UK law and British Standards. PPE such as harnesses and lanyards should be visually checked before each use, while formal inspections by a competent person are required at least every six months under BS EN 365 and BS 8437.
Permanent systems like guardrails, anchor points, and lifelines must undergo annual inspection, testing, and recertification to meet standards such as BS 7883 and BS EN 795. Keeping to these intervals isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about ensuring systems are safe, legal, and ready when needed most.
What Can I Do?
Start with the Right Standards
Choosing BS- and EN-compliant systems from the outset ensures long-term safety and legal compliance. It’s the smartest way to avoid costly upgrades, removals, or enforcement action later on.
Early alignment with the right standards protects your investment and reputation. Build it right the first time, and you build it safe—and future-proof.
Standards aren’t just checkboxes—they’re benchmarks for quality and accountability. Prioritising compliance from day one signals professionalism, safeguards occupants, and demonstrates a commitment to best practice across the entire project.
Keep Records Up to Date
Accurate, up-to-date records—like inspection logs and test certificates—are a legal requirement, not just a formality. Missing paperwork can lead to fines, liability, or delays during audits or investigations.
Good documentation proves your system is safe and maintained. It’s your first line of defence if an incident occurs or the HSE comes knocking.
Establishing a clear documentation process from installation onward ensures nothing falls through the cracks. Digital recordkeeping tools make it easier to stay organised, audit-ready, and compliant over the system’s lifespan.
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Train and Refresh Regularly
Even the best fall protection systems are only as effective as the people using them. Regular training ensures staff know how to use equipment safely and confidently every time.
Over time, knowledge fades and teams change. Refreshing training regularly helps prevent misuse, reinforces safe habits, and keeps your workforce aligned with current best practices.
Effective training goes beyond box-ticking—it builds a culture of safety. Interactive sessions, real-world scenarios, and hands-on practice empower users to respond correctly under pressure and reduce avoidable risks.
Review After Every Incident
Every fall, near miss, or shock load event is a critical warning sign. These incidents demand a full system inspection to uncover hidden damage or failures in procedure.
Prompt reviews and re-certification ensure your system remains safe and legally compliant. Ignoring warning signs puts lives at risk and exposes your organisation to serious liability.
Treat every incident as an opportunity to improve. Thorough investigations reveal root causes, inform better training, and drive corrective actions that strengthen your fall protection strategy for the future.
Let’s Make Sure You’re Covered
Not sure if your systems meet current standards? We’ll audit what’s in place, advise on the gaps, and create a simple compliance plan.
