Petz SOI

In the context of work at height, Petzl's PPE inspection is a procedure for periodically inspecting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), aimed at ensuring the safety of mountaineering and industrial equipment.

The Petzl brand has created one of the most recognizable standards for verifying equipment such as harnesses, helmets, carabiners, and ropes.

Key principles of Petzl's inspection:

• Frequency: A thorough inspection must be performed at least once every 12 months by a competent (authorized) person.

• Inspection card: Each product has a unique card that records its use history, date of manufacture, and inspection results.

• Retirement criteria: Petzl clearly defines when equipment must be disposed of (e.g., after 10 years for plastic and textile products, or after a serious impact/fall).

  
  

How does the process work?

• Visual inspection: Looks for cuts, abrasions, cracks, signs of corrosion, or deformation.

• Functional inspection: Verification of the correct operation of mechanisms (e.g., whether the carabiner locks automatically, whether the descender operates smoothly).

• History analysis: Verification that the equipment has not been exposed to aggressive chemicals or extreme temperatures.