GB
Rescue plan
WARNING: A suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be carried out
before commencing with any kind of work at height, or any work that requires
the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as a control measure.
• The user must have a rescue plan and the means at hand to implement it
• The plan must take into account the equipment and special training necessary
to effectively conduct prompt rescue under all foreseeable conditions
Accessories
• Additional fall arrest gear, workwear and other personal protection equipment
is available from your Silverline stockist
Maintenance
Note: All fall arrest equipment must be regularly inspected, cleaned and
maintained by a competent person, in accordance with local laws and
regulations. Maintenance must be recorded in a dedicated service record (see
end of this manual).
WARNING: Carry out a visual and tactile inspection of all components every
time the equipment is used. Carry out a detailed examination if the equipment
has not been used for some time.
Note: A thorough, detailed examination of the equipment must be carried out at
regular intervals, at least once annually, or more frequently depending on use.
WARNING: It is ILLEGAL to carry out any kind of repair or modification to
this equipment.
WARNING: Should any damage be detected, remove the equipment from
service immediately. It must then be rendered unusable and discarded.
Harness visual/tactile inspection
The following defects potentially result in degradation and/or weakening of
equipment components:
• Cuts of 1mm or more at the edges of webbing
• Surface abrasion across the face of the webbing, at webbing loops and around
the edges
• Damage to stitching
• Knots other than those intended by the manufacturer
• Chemical attack potentially resulting in local weakening and softening (often
indicated by flaking of the surface). Discolouration of the fibres may also be
present
• Heat or friction damage indicated by fibres with a glazed appearance which
may feel harder than surrounding fibres
• UV-light degradation which can be difficult to identify, particularly visually, but
there may be some loss of colour (if dyed) and a powdery surface
• Partially deployed energy absorber (e.g. short pull-out of tear webbing)
• Contamination (e.g. with dirt, grit, sand etc.) which may result in internal or
external abrasion
• Damaged, oxidised or deformed fittings (e.g. karabiners, screw link
connectors, scaffold hooks)
• Damage to the sheath and internal damage to the core of a rope
Note: See 'Service life and product obsolescence' if such damage or other
defects are detected during inspection.
Karabiner & lanyard inspection procedure
• The following procedure helps detect defects potentially resulting in
degradation and/or weakening of the Karabiner (13) and Scaffold Hook (9):
1. Inspect for missing or altered parts. Refer to the image in 'Product
Familiarisation' for identification. Verify each item is present and has not been
tampered with
2. Inspect the entire Karabiner or hook for cracks, nicks or breaks in the metal.
Inspect every millimetre
Note: If necessary, clean before inspection, to be able to detect even small
hairline cracks.
3. Inspect for deformation, bent or dented parts. Open the Gate (17) and inspect
the Nose (14) of the Karabiner or hook for signs of wear, distortion or damage
10
4. Inspect the metal surface for any signs of corrosion. Steel karabiners and
hooks may show red dust as evidence of corrosion, aluminium karabiners may
develop pitting or scales
5. Inspect for heat damage, which can usually be seen as discoloration or
darkening of the metal surfaces
6. Perform a functional test: The locking mechanism must function easily, and
the Karabiner or Hook must fully open and close smoothly and easily. When
locked, the Gate MUST NOT open under pressure from any direction
• Slowly pass the rope through your hands to detect small defects, abrasions
and twist damage. Feel for softening and hardening of fibres and look for
ingress of contaminants
• The following defects potentially result in degradation and/or weakening of
the lanyard:
• Cut/broken fibres or nicks
• Kinks, knots (other than those intended by the manufacturer) or hockling
(unravelling due to constant turning of the rope in the same direction, or
due to shock loading)
• Brittle, fuzzy or worn fibres, fraying or abrasions
• Overall deterioration or discolouration
• Any kind of modification/attempted repairs
• Hard or shiny spots, fused fibres or strands
• Heat or friction damage indicated by fibres with a glazed appearance
which may feel harder than surrounding fibres
• Burnt, charred or melted fibres or strands
• Change in diameter, compared to the original diameter (see
'Specification')
• Rope marked with paint or a permanent marker
• Loose, missing, deformed or damaged Rope Thimble (12)
• Eye damage (cuts, nicks, fraying, fusing, abrasion etc.)
• Damage to protective covers/sleeves/sheaths
• Splices starting to unravel, or showing signs of damage or deterioration
• Partially deployed energy absorber (e.g. short pull-out of tear webbing)
• Damage to stitching
• Chemical attack potentially resulting in local weakening and softening
(often indicated by flaking of the surface)
• UV-degradation which is difficult to identify, particularly visually, but there
may be some loss of colour (if dyed) and a powdery surface
• Contamination (e.g. with dirt, grit, sand etc.) which may result in internal
or external abrasion
• Damaged, oxidised or deformed fittings (e.g. karabiners, screw link
connectors, scaffold hooks)
• Inspect all other components or subsystem of the fall arrest equipment
according to manufacturer's instructions
• Record inspection date and results in a dedicated service record (see end of
this manual)
Note: Refer to 'Service life and product obsolescence' if any damage or other
defects are detected during inspection.
Cleaning
Note: Correct cleaning is essential to ensure integrity of this equipment. Follow
the cleaning instructions below without deviation.
• Clean lanyard, webbing straps and buckles in warm water (30 – 60°C) with
a mild pH neutral (pH7) household detergent. In the event of minor soiling,
wipe with a cotton cloth or carefully clean using a soft brush
Note: Take care that water does not enter underneath the protective sheath of
the Energy Absorber (10). In case of minor soiling, wipe with a cotton cloth or
carefully clean using a soft brush.
• Clean the Karabiner (13) and hook by wiping it with a soft, lightly oiled cloth
• DO NOT under any circumstances use any abrasive materials, acids, basic
detergents or solvents
• Disinfect parts that come into contact with the operator's skin, using a
disinfectant suitable for the material of the equipment (see 'Specification').
Strictly follow the disinfectant manufacturer's recommendations and
procedures