Question: We are based in NSW and provide ‘Rope Access’ services in the industrial shutdown and maintenance industries. Recently, casual employees have purchased their own climbing equipment with the intention of using it on our projects.

In the past, we have provided all the required equipment and subjected them to a rigorous testing and inspection regime prior to use.

Are we responsible for the employees’ personal equipment inspections, logs, etc, and would we be liable if their personal equipment failed and there was an injury (or worse) as a result?