Pre-use checks are simple, visual and tactile inspections carried out
before equipment is used. They’re not detailed examinations — but
they are the first line of defence against unnoticed wear, damage, contamination or defects that can compromise safety.
These checks are an essential part of good professional practice for leaders and instructors working with clients at height.
In practice, this means that on
every session, instructors should:
- Visually inspect harness webbing, stitching and metal elements,
- Check ropes for fraying, cuts, contamination or hard spots
- Look at carabiners, pulleys and other metalwork to check for distortion, sharp burrs or carabiner gate failures
- Ensure helmets are free from significant cracks or impact damage, and that the straps are functioning correctly.
These checks help ensure that equipment is fit for its intended use before it’s put on a participant.
Two core pieces of UK Health and Safety legislation apply here:
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LOLER - the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (1998)LOLER applies when equipment is used for lifting or lowering people — and that’s exactly what PPE does in a climbing or high ropes context.
Under LOLER:
- PPE used to protect or support people must be subject to a thorough examination at specified intervals (typically every six months).
- These examinations must be carried out by a ‘competent person’ — someone with the right mix of practical experience and theoretical knowledge to detect defects and assess their safety implications.
- PPE should also under-go a pre-use check before every use. While not as detailed as a formal thorough examination, these checks must be performed by appropriately trained staff, and any defects must be reported and rectified before operation.
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PUWER - the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998)
PUWER complements LOLER by requiring that equipment provided for use at work is suitable, maintained, inspected, and safe for use — and that inspections are carried out at suitable intervals by competent people.
PUWER doesn’t specify six-month intervals like LOLER, but it reinforces the overall duty to ensure safe equipment use and inspection.
Crucially, neither LOLER nor PUWER define competence with a specific qualification — but the
Health and Safety Executive's guidance makes it clear that a competent person needs
"appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience" to detect defects and weaknesses in equipment. They must also be sufficiently independent to make objective decisions.
In many Activity Centres, Centre Managers are comfortable that senior staff or Lead Instructors meet this 'competent person' standard. They likely have years of hands-on experience, and understand the equipment and risks inside-out, and will normally hold externally validated 'competent person' qualifications.
[Learn more about our Competent Person course here]
Alternatively, smaller centres will bring in external providers or independent inspectors to fulfil the statutory requirement.
Here’s the rub: most
junior instructors — especially those just starting out —
don’t yet have that level of expertise.
And yet, they’re expected to do pre-use checks of PPE before each session — and that’s entirely appropriate, and indeed a legal requirement under LOLER —
BUT they often hold no certified training that explicitly qualifies them as competent to do even these basic checks.
That’s where courses like ours come in...
The Introduction to PPE Inspections course from Learn the Ropes gives instructors:
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A basic understanding of the legal requirements discussed above
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An understanding of the different type of PPE checks and 'competent person' requirements
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Detailed guidance on how to carry out basic pre-use checks of ropes, slings, harnesses, helmets and metalwork
It’s designed specifically for outdoor activity settings — and to help junior instructors gain a structured foundation in PPE checks.
Important distinction: this course is not a certified competent person qualification. It’s intentionally targeted at those still building experience and confidence in their roles — bridging that gap between “I know I should check the kit” and “I actually know what I’m looking for and why it matters.”
To demonstrate competence and compliance with your legal duties on PPE safety:
- Document your procedures for pre-use checks and who is authorised to do them.
- Train all instructors — from junior staff to seasoned pros — so they understand what to look for and why.
- Maintain a log of training for all staff, including certificates of completed courses, for future reference
- Maintain records of pre-use checks, even if they’re simple, to show routine diligence.
- Ensure that periodic and thorough inspections (six monthly or as required) are done by a competent person with appropriate qualifications and/or equivalent experience.
Your Activity Centre should demonstrate competence in PPE pre-use checks by combining:
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Practical, documented routines for daily equipment checks
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Structured Training - such as the courses offered by Learn the Ropes - for all instructors
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Clear roles and responsibilities for who can sign off equipment safety
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Formal inspections by a competent person in line with LOLER and PUWER
Junior instructors may not be ‘competent persons’ in the legal sense — and that’s okay. But they are the first line of defence in spotting problems with safety-critical PPE.
The key is that your centre recognises this, invests in their development, and ensures that properly qualified inspections are carried out regularly.
Courses like Learn the Ropes’ "Introduction to PPE Inspections" help build that foundation — and help your Centre meet its legal and practical duty of care.
Sign your team up today to our Introduction to PPE Inspections Course...
