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rope access question (on your own gear) 8-Feb-2017 At 2:36:09 PM technogeekery

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Interesting point (even if it is to an old thread, I'm interested in the answer / clarification).

As I understand it, there is no law or regulation saying that equipment (harnesses for example) must meet AS/NZS1891.1. The Code of Practise you cite does state "All equipment used for fall-arrest should be designed, manufactured, selected and used in
compliance with the AS1891 series of standards." While that is not a regulation, WHS law does indicate you must meet or exceed CoP guidelines. So either your equipment should comply with the AS, or I guess you can choose to make a case for example that it meets EN 361, EN 813, EN 358 etc and so exceeds AS.

Alternatively, I believe some manufacturers/importers will provide a certificate of compliance with 1891.1 - but I'm not sure how that could be validated without getting certified by a qualified certifier - in which case they could use the AS mark.

A lot of dancing around - but clearly it is simpler for most WHS auditors / safety officers just to say "we won't accept it as safe/compliant unless it has the AS mark" as it cuts out the guesswork.

I'd love to get advice on this point from someone who really knows the law / best practise. As part of my job I have to inspect height safety PPE of my subcontractors - and try telling an experienced rigger that his beloved $1000 Petzl harness is non-compliant, but a no name brand $129 roofers kit from Bunnings is better 'cos it has the AS mark on it!