Safety Belt Testing for Factories Act: When Should I Check My 6-Month-Old Belts?

Dear Safety professionals,

I have bought 5 safety belts in June. Now they are 6 months old. When do I need to test the safety belts for the Factories Act (Form 36)? Please clear my doubt regarding this.

Clarification on Safety Belt Testing Under Tamil Nadu Factories Rules

As per Rule 61A of the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950, safety belts must be tested and examined thoroughly by a competent person at least once every six months. A competent person is someone recognized by the Chief Inspector of Factories or the Director of Industrial Safety and Health in writing for the purpose of examining and testing safety belts, hoists, lifts, etc.

You've mentioned Form No. 36; it is not the prescribed examination/test certificate of the competent person for safety belts. Form No. 36 pertains to the examination/test certificate of hoists and lifts. In fact, there is no prescribed format for safety belts under the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950. The competent person must use their discretion in designing the examination/test certificate for safety belts.

Please note that the Bureau of Indian Standards has prescribed the examination/test procedures for safety belts in IS: 3521:1989. Therefore, you may insist that the competent person follows IS: 3521:1989 while conducting the examination/test on safety belts. Furthermore, the competent person should not conduct a 'drop test' by attaching a human dummy to the safety belt and dropping it from a height, as this can weaken the safety belt. In such cases, the drop-tested safety belt should not be put into use; instead, it must be removed from service and condemned.

I hope this clarification clears your doubts.

Regards, K.A. Thariq Muhamed Salim
Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories (retired)
Government of Tamil Nadu.

Dear Mr. S. Gururajan,

With reference to my previous communication, I would like to make a small correction. The "IS:3521:1999 - Industrial Safety Belts and Harnesses" is the correct specification/standard.

Regards,
K.A. Thariq Muhamed Salim
Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories - retired.

Respected Sir,

Thank you for your valuable reply. However, I am having difficulty understanding clearly. In my previous company, we tested safety belts every 6 months and obtained a certificate from a competent person. The test certificate falls under FORM - 36. Could you please confirm if this is correct or incorrect, sir?

My question is whether the new safety belt should also be tested within 6 months or if there are any extension periods available.

Thank you.

Rule 61A of the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950 has not prescribed any format for the Certificate of Examination/Test of Safety Belt. Form No. 36 under the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950 relates to the Certificate of Examination of Hoist/Lift. Hence, any Certificate of Examination/Test of Safety Belt issued in Form No. 36 in Tamil Nadu is not correct.

As regards the new Safety Belt, Rule 61A of TNFR, 1950 does not provide exemption from the Examination/Test by a Competent Person. Hence, even a newly purchased Safety Belt has to be examined/tested by a Competent Person before being taken into use.

Hope your doubts are now clarified.

Regards, K.A. Thariq Muhamed Salim