SpanSet are a global leader in height safety, lifting and load equipment. They manufacture the equipment, sell it, and manage it throughout its lifecycle. They also handle inspections, testing, asset management and training. They’ve been using CheckedOK for their inspection services for years (read more here), but recently they wanted to tackle a seemingly small operational niggle: their daily pre-use checks.
The Problem with Paper Checklists
Despite running tight operations globally, SpanSet were dealing with the same headaches most companies face with manual pre-use checks:
- Getting consistent results from teams scattered across different sites
- Paper forms that went missing, became illegible, or created admin nightmares
- Slow reporting that made it hard to spot patterns
- Difficulty proving compliance when auditors came knocking, even though their safety standards were exceptional
Enter the Pre-Use Checks App
Since they were already satisfied CheckedOK users, building custom digital pre-use checklists with our new Pre-Use Checks app was a no-brainer.
“Most companies are aware of the need for formal equipment inspections and the intervals they are set at. In some ways though the most important inspection is the Pre-Use one, often carried out by the user. It is these smaller more regular inspections that are likely to pick up areas of concern, because damage never waits for a formal date. Being able to follow a set routine and record it easily should encourage more workers to do it”, says Peter Ward, Managing Director of SpanSet UK.
The app transformed how they handle their equipment checks. Now they can build custom digital checklists for every piece of kit in their inventory – whether it’s a simple harness or a complex hoist system. Each checklist is tailored to the specific safety requirements and potential failure of that equipment type.
Their operators now do daily checks directly on mobile devices, selecting details from pre-populated drop-down menus for ease, capturing photos of any issues and automatically timestamping every inspection. That information feeds straight into their existing CheckedOK dashboard, giving managers one complete picture of their entire equipment fleets’ safety status.
The Results Came Quickly
“Periodic inspection is a well-established control helping ensure equipment continues to perform. Picking up damage and faults as soon as they occur is however even more important. Making pre use inspections easier to carry out and keeping a record is a great way to encourage this”, says Peter.
Their operators spend less time on paperwork and more time on actual safety. Administrators can pull up any record instantly. And they’re spotting potential problems before they become expensive headaches.
“Emphasising the importance of pre use inspections can only be a good thing, as that is how you pick up damage and faults as soon as they occur” Peter confirms.
The digital trail also means everyone knows exactly who checked what and when, strengthening their already impressive safety culture through accountability.
SpanSet continues to roll out the Pre-Use Checks app across their operations, exploring more ways to customise it using the custom checklist module. Their partnership with CoreRFID and CheckedOK keeps driving innovation in how they manage equipment safely.
Benefits
- Standardised, digital checklists reduce human error and missed checks
- Audit-ready, timestamped documentation at the click of a button
- Real-time defect reporting prevents costly breakdown and accidents
- All check data flows directly into your dashboard – no more lost paperwork
- Clear accountability and easy tools strengthen your safety culture
