Frequently Asked Questions

About Bell’s Inspections

  • Bell’s Inspections provides professional inspection, testing and certification services for businesses across Kent and London.

    Our services include lifting equipment inspections, Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), fire extinguisher servicing, first aid kit management, ladder and access inspections, and PPE and fall arrest equipment inspections.

    Our goal is simple: to take care of the technical details and help you keep your workplace safe, compliant and properly documented.

  • Bell’s Inspections is based in Deal, Kent and provides inspection services across the county and London.

    If you're unsure whether we cover your area, get in touch and we'll be happy to discuss your requirements.

  • We work with businesses across a wide range of industries, including construction, rail, wind, logistics, education, manufacturing, offices, retail, healthcare and more.

    Whether you have a single item that needs inspecting or a large number of assets across a site, we can discuss the most practical way to manage your requirements.

  • Yes. One of the benefits of using Bell’s Inspections is that we can provide several different compliance services under one roof.

    This can include lifting equipment inspections, PAT testing, fire extinguisher servicing, first aid kit management, ladder and access inspections, and PPE inspections.

    This gives you one point of contact and helps keep your inspection records and certificates organised.

Inspections & Compliance

  • What you need will depend on the equipment you use, the type of work you carry out, the environment it is used in and the risks associated with it.

    For example, a business using lifting equipment will have different requirements from an office with portable electrical equipment, while a construction company may need to manage several different types of equipment.

    If you're unsure, tell us what equipment you have and what you use it for. We can help you identify which of our services may be relevant.

  • No. An inspection or thorough examination is designed to establish whether equipment is safe and suitable for continued use. Maintenance is the ongoing work needed to keep equipment in good working order.

    For example, a lifting equipment thorough examination shouldn't be treated as a replacement for routine maintenance. HSE guidance makes the same distinction: maintenance should be carried out as part of normal equipment management rather than waiting for an examination to identify problems.

  • That's a common situation.

    If you have equipment without a clear inspection history, get in touch and we'll discuss what information is available and what needs to be done.

    It's much better to establish the current condition and create a clear inspection record than to continue relying on an unknown inspection history.

  • Don't wait for the next scheduled inspection.

    If equipment appears damaged, has been involved in an incident, or you have any reason to believe it may no longer be safe, it should be taken out of use until the issue has been properly assessed.

    Scheduled inspections are an important part of compliance, but they don't replace sensible checks and reporting during normal use.

  • Yes. Our inspectors attend your site to carry out the required inspections and testing.

    We'll arrange a suitable date with you and work around your site requirements wherever possible.

  • Following the inspection, you'll receive the relevant inspection report, certificate or asset register for your records.

    Where appropriate, items are clearly labelled with their inspection or service status so that they can be easily identified.

  • We won't simply tell you that something has failed and leave you to work out what to do next.

    We'll explain what we've found and, where possible, advise you on the most practical way forward.

    Depending on the issue, this could mean a minor repair, adjustment, further testing, repair by a specialist or replacement of the equipment.

    Our approach is straightforward: if something is safe, we'll tell you. If it isn't, we'll explain why.

  • Yes. Depending on the service and the issue identified, we can carry out a range of minor repairs and adjustments on site.

    Examples include replacing minor hardware, adjusting components, replacing a fuse or re-wiring a plug, replacing ladder feet, or fitting a new fire extinguisher seal or bracket.

  • Simply get in touch with Bell’s Inspections and tell us what services you require, what type of equipment you have and where you're based.

    We'll discuss your requirements and provide a free quote based on your selected services and site specifications.

    Contact us.

Managing Your Inspection Records

  • An asset register is a record of the equipment being inspected.

    It can help you keep track of individual items, inspection dates, results and other relevant information without relying on paperwork or trying to remember what was checked.

    Bell's Inspections provides digital asset registers as part of several of its services.

  • That's not unusual for larger workplaces.

    The important thing is having a practical way of identifying each item and keeping the inspection history organised.

    When requesting a quote, give us an idea of the number and types of assets involved so we can discuss the best approach.

  • This is one of the situations where bringing several services under one inspection provider can make things easier.

    Rather than having different contractors visiting at different times throughout the year, we can discuss whether your services can be coordinated around a more manageable inspection schedule.

  • The inspection records and asset registers we provide make it easier for you to keep track of your equipment.

    If you have a larger number of assets or several different inspection types, talk to us about how your inspection programme can be organised.

Before You Book

  • Usually, the more information you can give us, the more accurate the quote will be.

    Useful information includes:

    • Your location

    • The services you require

    • The type of equipment involved

    • Approximate quantities

    • The number of sites involved

    • Any access restrictions or site requirements

    • Your preferred timescale

    If you don't know exactly what you need, that's fine. Give us as much information as you have and we'll help you work through it.

  • It helps if equipment can be identified and accessed when we arrive.

    For larger sites, it can also be useful to have someone available who knows where the equipment is located and can provide access to restricted areas.

    We can discuss any site-specific requirements when arranging the visit.

  • We'll arrange a suitable time with you and aim to carry out the work with as little disruption to your day-to-day operation as possible.

  • Tell us what equipment you have, what you use it for and what you're trying to achieve, and we'll talk through the appropriate service with you.

  • Absolutely.

    If you have several areas of workplace compliance to manage, let us know when you enquire. We can quote for the services you require and look at whether they can be carried out together.

  • We'll arrange a suitable inspection date with you and our inspector will attend your site.

    Once the work is completed, you'll receive the relevant reports, certificates and asset records for your services.

Lifting Equipment Inspections

  • A LOLER thorough examination is a formal examination carried out by a competent person to establish whether lifting equipment is safe to continue in use.

    It isn't simply a quick visual check.

    HSE also makes clear that thorough examination and routine maintenance are different activities, with maintenance still required between examinations.

  • Don't wait for the scheduled date.

    If equipment has suffered damage, been involved in an incident or may have been overloaded, it should be assessed before being put back into use.

    A scheduled six- or twelve-month examination doesn't mean equipment should continue to be used regardless of what happens to it in the meantime.

  • We'll explain the defect and what needs to happen next.

    Where a defect presents a danger, the equipment should not continue to be used until the problem has been dealt with. LOLER places specific duties on employers following notification of certain defects.

  • LOLER can still apply to equipment that isn't owned by your business.

    The responsibilities can depend on the circumstances, which is why it's important not to assume that the hire company automatically takes care of everything.

    If you're unsure about your responsibilities for hired or leased equipment, we can discuss the inspection side with you.

  • It helps to have as much information as possible, including the equipment type, unique identification number, Safe Working Load and previous inspection records.

    If some of this information is missing, let us know. We can discuss what's needed before the inspection.

  • It can do, depending on the nature of the repair and what the equipment has been subjected to.

    A major repair or structural alteration can be a reason for further examination or testing rather than simply waiting for the next scheduled inspection.

Portable Appliance Testing
(PAT)

  • No. There isn't one universal annual testing interval that applies to every portable appliance.

    The appropriate approach depends on factors such as the type of equipment, how often it is used and the environment in which it is used.

    This is why a power tool used regularly in a workshop shouldn't necessarily be treated in exactly the same way as a computer in an office.

  • Yes. Users should be encouraged to look for obvious signs of damage before using electrical equipment.

    Things such as damaged cables, cracked plugs, loose components, burn marks or equipment behaving unusually should not be ignored.

    If something doesn't look right, stop using it and report it.

  • Moving equipment doesn't automatically make it unsafe, but it can introduce additional risks.

    Equipment that is regularly moved between sites can be exposed to more wear and damage than equipment that stays in a controlled office environment.

    This is one of the reasons the frequency of inspection should reflect how equipment is actually used.

Fire Extinguishers

  • The appropriate provision depends on the risks present in the workplace, the materials involved and the type of fire that could occur.

    If you're unsure whether your existing equipment is appropriate, tell us what type of workplace you have and we can discuss the servicing requirements and what information may need to be reviewed.

  • Fire extinguishers should be readily accessible and positioned where they can be reached when needed.

    If your workplace layout has changed, or an extinguisher is obstructed, hidden or difficult to access, it's worth reviewing its location rather than simply leaving it where it is.

  • Even if it has only been discharged briefly, it should not simply be put back on the wall and forgotten about.

    A used extinguisher needs to be assessed and, where necessary, serviced, recharged or replaced so that it is ready for use again.

  • A pressure reading outside the expected range can indicate that an extinguisher needs attention.

    If you notice a problem with an extinguisher between services, contact a competent service provider rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.

First Aid Kit Management

  • First-aid provision should take account of factors such as the size of the workforce, the work being carried out, workplace hazards, location and the types of injuries that could reasonably occur.

    HSE guidance recommends carrying out a first-aid needs assessment rather than simply relying on a standard number of kits.

  • Used items should be replaced rather than waiting until the next scheduled inspection.

    Our first aid kit management service can identify missing items and restock the kit so that it is ready for use again.

  • Yes.

    Some items have expiry dates and sterile products can deteriorate over time.

    That's why checking a kit isn't simply a matter of seeing whether anything has been used. Expired or damaged contents also need to be identified and replaced.

Ladders & Access Equipment

  • It should be removed from use rather than waiting for the next inspection date.

    Depending on the damage, it may be possible to repair the ladder or it may need to be replaced.

  • No.

    An inspection checks the condition of the equipment. It doesn't replace the need for suitable planning, risk assessment, appropriate equipment and competent users.

    This distinction is particularly important because work at height involves risks that go beyond the condition of the ladder itself.

PPE & PFPE Inspections

  • They should report it straight away and stop using it if the damage could affect its protective function.

    It shouldn't be put back into the equipment cupboard and left for someone else to discover at the next inspection.

  • This should not be assumed.

    Fall arrest equipment involved in an incident or fall needs to be taken out of service and assessed appropriately before any decision is made about further use.

  • Yes, although the appropriate inspection frequency can depend on usage and environmental conditions.

    Equipment that isn't used frequently still needs to be stored, maintained and inspected appropriately. Bell's service provides different recommended intervals depending on whether equipment is in frequent use.

  • Some types of PPE and PFPE can have manufacturer-defined service lives or replacement recommendations.

    The inspection date isn't necessarily the only factor to consider. The equipment's age, condition, manufacturer's instructions, usage and storage history may all be relevant.