In Facilities Management, Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems are a common way to work at height - and a common source of falls when they are misused. This guide explains how Facilities Management teams in Ireland use Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems safely, and why a Working at Heights Course ties it all together.
Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems in Facilities Management: where the risk lies
A maintenance technician changing high-bay lighting in a shopping centre, balancing footfall, access equipment and a tight overnight window. Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems are suited to fall arrest or restraint only where collective protection (guardrails, platforms) is not reasonably practicable, but in a Facilities Management setting the margin for error is small.
Pre-use checks for Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems
Before any Facilities Management worker uses Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems, confirm that:
- The anchor point is rated and suitable
- The inspection is in date and recorded
- Buckles and D-rings work and are undamaged
- Stitching is intact
The relevant standard here is EN 361 (harness), EN 355 (energy-absorbing lanyard), EN 360 (retractable), inspected before use and thoroughly examined at least every 12 months.
Common Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems faults to never ignore
- Unsuitable or unrated anchors
- Damaged or contaminated webbing
- Out-of-date inspection
- Wrong lanyard length creating fall-clearance issues
FM teams carry out the widest variety of height tasks of any sector, so general Working at Heights training plus task-specific assessments are essential.
The Working at Heights Course makes compliance simple
The practical fix is straightforward. Our Working at Heights Course is delivered fully online, takes about 45 minutes, and issues a downloadable certificate the same day. It is CPD certified, RoSPA approved and QQI aligned, and it is written specifically for Facilities Management teams using Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems.
The Working at Heights Training covers the avoid-prevent-minimise hierarchy, ladder and stepladder safety, MEWPs and scaffolds, harnesses and anchor points, and how to carry out a proper risk assessment. Every learner finishes with a recognised Working at Heights Certificate that stands up to HSA inspection and supports your insurance position.
Training that goes beyond the tick-box
The cheapest control is always to avoid the work at height in the first place. For Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems in Facilities Management, that can mean long-handled tools, lowering the task to ground level, or designing the job so no one needs to climb. Where that is impossible, collective protection such as guardrails and platforms beats personal protection every time.
The rescue plan is the part most teams forget. If a worker doing Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems in Facilities Management falls and is left hanging in a harness, suspension trauma can become life-threatening within minutes. Calling the emergency services is not a rescue plan; having the equipment, the trained people and the method to recover them quickly is. Our Working at Heights Training makes that planning routine.
Frequently asked questions
Do Facilities Management workers need training to use Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems?
Yes. Safe use of Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems is part of working at height. A Working at Heights Course covers selection, inspection and safe use for Facilities Management tasks.
How often should Harnesses and Fall-Arrest Systems be inspected?
Before every use by the operator, plus formal recorded inspections to the relevant standard. Keep the logs for HSA inspection.
Is online training enough for Facilities Management height work?
Our online Working at Heights Training covers the legal and safe-system knowledge; equipment-specific practical tickets (such as IPAF or PASMA) are added where the task requires them.
Get certified today
Do not wait for an HSA inspection or a near miss to act. Facilities Management teams can complete the Working at Heights Course online in 45 minutes and download a certificate the same day. For 10 or more learners, see our team training rates, or contact our team for a tailored quote.
Start the online Working at Heights Training now and put a recognised certificate in every worker's file before the next job at height begins.
