Engineer surveyors are trained to spot many signs that machinery and equipment has developed a defect, or is not functioning as expected. Generally an engineer surveyor will specialise in one particular discipline, such as pressure mechanical equipment or lifting equipment. Defects obviously vary greatly depending on the type of machinery or plant. It could be a worn sheave (type of pulley) in a lift, or a loose component in an escalator. In 2019, Allianz Engineering, Construction & Power revealed inspections data showing that 16% of inspected escalators and moving walkways had a potentially life-threatening defect.⁴ Once a fault is identified, an engineer surveyor will hand over to a maintenance provider to fix it.

As you might expect, different regulations are applicable for different types of equipment. This means that there’s no consistent rule for how often machinery must be inspected. The following provides an overview of some of the key regulations:

Naturally both legislation and regulation are subject to change at any time, so it’s imperative for business owners to remain up to date with their obligations under all inspection and maintenance requirements.

Engineering inspection remains as crucial as ever but is evolving in line with advances in technology plus the drive to meet renewable energy targets. Whereas engineer surveyors once had to rely on pen and paper, increasingly handheld electronic devices are used. These offer the advantage of allowing the surveyor to complete a report in real-time, often with supporting photos. Further, most devices are equipped with GPS and lone-worker tracking meaning that an engineer can quickly and easily request help should they get into difficulty.

Drones are being used for inspections at height, such as for wind turbines, or in areas not easily accessible. They are able to capture high resolution images which the engineer can then use to make a detailed assessment.

Virtual reality (VR) headsets are finding a new application in the engineering world, allowing for the simulation of scenarios in order to train engineer surveyors safely in a controlled environment. These VR headsets offer such a realistic experience that the brain is tricked into thinking it’s a genuine situation.

Inspection and maintenance work in tandem to keep equipment and machinery safe and it’s important for business owners to familiarise themselves with those regulations with which they are legally obligated to comply. Aside from the potential for injury, not keeping up to date with the regulations could result in equipment being taken out of use, thereby compromising operations. Furthermore, insurance can be invalidated where a business fails to adhere to health and safety regulations and breaches the HSWA.

Companies can and should speak to their broker and insurer about their engineering inspection needs to ensure that they are fulfilling their contractual obligations and keeping the workplace safe and open for business.

For more information, visit Allianz Inspection Services.