PPE Thorough Inspection & Record Keeping

This 2-day PPE inspector training is ideal for those who manage and inspect fall protection equipment used in the outdoor industry. The training course will show the knowledge and skills required by anyone undertaking thorough recorded PPE inspections in the role of the Competent Person in a workplace. There will be plenty of opportunity to practice practical inspecting and the recording of the results, with over 175 different items available to inspect. At the end of the training course you will know the legal requirements for PPE inspections and understand the process of conducting the inspection and recording the results.

The first part of day 1 is dedicated to the legal and record keeping aspects of workplace PPE inspection and management, which is essential knowledge for anyone who is intending to undertake the Competent Person role for their organisation. This straightforward theory session aims to make the ‘who’, ‘what’ and ‘when’ of formal PPE inspection requirements in UK law clear. The remainder of day 1 and the majority of day 2 involve a mix of group discussions and individual practical inspecting and recording with the support and guidance of the trainer. In the afternoon you’ll complete an assessment question paper and series of inspections to generate the evidence of competence for your certificate.

Who is this course for?

This course is for outdoor education centre and adventure activity business employees, equipment managers, freelancer instructors and the self-employed sole traders who are managing PPE used in outdoor activity delivery. This course is designed for people who have some prior experience of pre-use inspections and the use of outdoor activity PPE, or been involved with regular inspections but have never received formal training in the area.

Overview

The course will have both a theory and practical element, with participants shown how to inspect common PPE and given many example items to inspect themselves. The exact equipment types used on the course will vary, but will include a range of:

  • Harnesses
  • Helmets
  • Connectors
  • Ropes
  • Slings
  • Complex items like locking descenders or ascenders

Equipment is representative of common items from outdoor business kit stores, including high ropes, caving and climbing gear.

The course will cover:

  • Gaining competence for the role
  • Workplace PPE law
  • Certification of PPE
  • Safety standards
  • Obsolescence
  • Inspection structure in an outdoor business
  • Storage & Quarantine systems
  • Inspection method
  • Common wear and damage
  • Practical inspection of lots of PPE common to the outdoor industry

The course days run from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and this includes time for breaks and lunch.

We can also provide a half day training course to your instructors in PPE pre-use inspections. See details on the course page here.

What’s Included

The course fee includes everything that is needed. Over 175 items of outdoor industry PPE are available to inspect during the training.

A training manual will be provided to each participant, along with note taking materials and other printed resources.

Participants who successfully complete an assessment question paper and practical inspection activity at the end of the course will be issued with a Certificate of Attendance, valid for 3 years. This course is not a ‘Competent Person’ ticket on its own, but does form part of the training and experience required by anyone looking to demonstrate competence to undertake that role. There is no governing body or national qualification framework to accredit qualifications in PPE inspection, however the level of the course content is designed specifically to teach all the requirements of a person operating as the Competent Person in an outdoor activity workplace setting.

What’s Not Included

Lunch or Transport.

Price

£195 per person on advertised dates.
Private block bookings can be run at your own centre.

This course is run on a ratio of 1 trainer to 6 participants.

We can run this training as a bespoke course for your staff. Get in touch to arrange a private course.

Dates

Summer 2025 date TBC – Peak District
November 3rd & 4th 2025 – Peak District

Get in touch to book a private course.

Booking

To book a place on a listed date, or to discuss a private or bespoke course, please contact us directly.
You can see details of other training course that we offer on the Training page.