Loler for Arb kit

[tommer9]

My loler inspector is also a Lantra trainer, and has been contracting for over 35 years. His attitude I really like, and is similar to some points raised earlier, in so far as he feels it is very important, nay essential, to have a working knowledge of, or at least full technical understanding of, all current kit. He does arb kit only, as this is the field he has spent his life working in.

For example he explained to me why my Yale split tail would fail due to a nick in the outer sheath, as this was integral to the working strength of that particular rope, and wnet on to unpick some of the material which rapidly made it obvious why he was failing it. He went on to explain the on another rope (I THINK it was a marlow rope that i retired long since) the nicks were not relevant to the inherent strength of the rope, as the strngth was in the inner core, thus could be passed on that test. This is what i mean by a full technical understanding of the gear. Now he hasnt used/ doesnt use tachyon, but has read and understood its make-up (i quizzed him on this specifically) in order that he can realistically judge its condition, as the test is far more than just a visual and 'touch' test. He also explained how ropes should feel to me, and what differences in stiffness and diameter meant etc etc. I think this is where the competence part comes in- as Gollum posted basically.

[Peter]

Yet as a following post showed its happened at least once, and in the other thread Nick Potts mentioned another example, and outside of the forum the question arose to me, hence this thread. Stupid? maybe not, misinformed definitely. So I feel that maybe a better education to everyone is needed, and it appears that applies to large cmpanies as well as small.

 

Maybe misinformed, maybe just suffering from overwhelming apathy. Like many issues in our industry, head buried firmly in sand and perhaps it will never catch up with us.

[Andy Collins]

Nice post Tommer, makes perfect sense.

What I'm hoping for here is to show to those who dont know/arent sure what is needed for your Loler inspection, who to go to and why. And why you shouldnt go to the local Lifting Gear Shop where the guys dont have a real understanding or qualifications. I'm sure the 2 or 3 examples highlighted earlier are in the minority, but as far as this form of media goes I think we have a duty to ensure all are educated in these matters. No-one wants to sit and wade through boring literature on the matter, but will happily read through these threads to glean info.

[skyhuck]

How many on here just pay the money to get a cert to comply with the regs and satisfy some clients??

 

The guy who does mine is great and I trust and value his opinion, but if their was no requirement I would not bother and I still always check my own gear as I always have.

[Jonesie]

Justin were you told this was all you needed to inspect arb equipment ?

 

Not sure what you mean, is what all I needed?

[skyhuck]

I reckon Justin will have been working with ropes and other arb gear for more than 5 years.

[eddiegts]

Hi Guys,

 

A while back I worked for a Large company (fountains) as a manager, I was ask to go and do a LOLER course it was not NPTC it was with the National Access and Rescure centre (NARC) most of the guys were single rope access and firemen. My cert says: Inpection of PPE- Competent person, .........has attended a course inspecting and assessing the condition of PEE for working @ height. the company I worked for said this is ok to carry out LOLER on our climbing Equipment.

I am not so sure I have been a climber for over 5 years etc...

what do you think.

[Gareth Smith]

The General requirements for a LOLER inspector are as follows.

Have practical experience in the use of the equipment he or she is inspecting

(at least five years commercially working with it),

and be qualified to use it.

Have theoretical knowledge of the equipment that they are inspecting.

Be able to condemn equipment without fear nor favour

and have evidence of this.

The above are the main criteria.

The NPTC certificate is not evidence on its own it acts as part of evidence.

If the inspector only holds the NPTC certificate in Thorough Examination of Arboricultural Equipment he/ she is not qualified to do so.

 

I don't understand this part where it says be qualified to use it . Does that mean they have to be qualified climbers ? Or am I being thick:confused1:

[tommer9]

I think it does Smith. I reckon the idea being that if one is a qualified arb, then one is more likely to have had experience in using the kit, or at least had some more in-depth knowledge of how the kit may be used in the field....maybe?

[Gareth Smith]

I think it does Smith. I reckon the idea being that if one is a qualified arb, then one is more likely to have had experience in using the kit, or at least had some more in-depth knowledge of how the kit may be used in the field....maybe?

 

Yeah I agree but kind of confused me as I know of two loler arb inspectors that aren't at all qualified climbers, just arb retailers. I'll be speaking to one of them in the week so will ask him then