Who must inspect the access equipment before use, and when must the inspection occur?

• A. A competent person must inspect it before each use.
• B. The site supervisor must inspect weekly.
• C. A worker can inspect at any time.
• D. Inspection is not required.

Answer: (A)

The important point here is that access equipment must be checked by a competent person before it is used. A competent person is someone trained to recognize hazards, knows what to look for, and has the authority to stop work or take corrective action. Checking before each use ensures any damage, wear, or loose parts is caught right away, preventing a fall or equipment failure during operation. If a defect is found, the gear must be taken out of service until it’s repaired or replaced. Weekly checks by a supervisor aren’t enough because conditions can change from one use to the next, and the person responsible must have the right training and authority to judge safety. Allowing a worker to inspect at any time lacks the required training and formal responsibility, and skipping inspections introduces unnecessary risk.