Most fall arrest blocks passed to us look ‘fine’ on the outside – but once opened, we often find worn components, weak springs, contamination and brake issues that would never show up during a visual check.
Recently, a batch of Globestock G-Saver II SRL-R fall arrest blocks came into our workshop – and two of them were in a genuinely dangerous condition.
After a full strip-down, clean and internal examination, we replaced multiple safety-critical components including the rope, pawl springs, brake discs, ratchet centres and the main spring.
They left our workshop fully restored, tested and compliant – and at a fraction of the cost of buying new.
Key Takeaways – Fall Arrest Block Servicing
- Servicing extends the life of PFPE equipment and is significantly cheaper than replacing blocks outright.
- Internal components wear long before visual signs appear – meaning hidden failures are common.
- Servicing should only be carried out by a manufacturer-trained service agent using approved parts.
- Regular inspection is essential for LOLER, PUWER and Work at Height compliance.
- A serviced block reduces risk, downtime, and long-term equipment costs.
Why Refurbish Instead of Replace?
Fall arrest blocks are expensive pieces of PFPE. Too many companies throw them away at the first sign of wear – but in most cases, a professional service will return them to a safe, fully certified condition for far less money.
A typical refurbishment includes:
- Full internal strip-down and mechanical clean
- Replacement of worn components (springs, discs, rope assemblies, bushings, pawl springs, ratchet centres)
- Lubrication, reassembly and function checks
- Label replacement, decals, and touch-up paint for clear safety markings
- Final test and certification to ensure smooth locking, retraction and braking performance
Refurbishment isn’t just a cost saving – it restores the equipment to the standard required for safe working at height.
Don’t Trust Just Anyone With Your PFPE
A fall arrest block is a life-saving device. It must be serviced and examined by a competent, manufacturer-trained technician.
This is not a job for:
A site operative doing ad-hoc PPE checks
Someone “good with tools”
A general maintenance contractor
Incorrect servicing can lead to:
- Sluggish locking behaviour
- Rope slip due to worn internal braking components
- Weak retraction from a fatigued main spring
- Unseen contamination affecting the brake disc or pawls
And all of these can cause total failure during a fall.
Regular servicing protects you against equipment failure and helps you stay compliant with:
- LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations)
- PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations)
- Work at Height Regulations 2005
Get Your Fall Arrest Blocks Serviced on Time
We service and examine all makes and models of fall arrest blocks and winches – including Globestock, Abtech, Ridgegear and others.
Our service includes:
- Annual servicing with approved components
- 6-monthly examinations as recommended for frequent users
- Detailed certification and traceability for your PFPE records
- Fast turnaround times to keep your team working safely
For more information on our inspection process, see our Fall Arrest Block Servicing service page.
Book Your Fall Arrest Block Service
Unsure when your blocks were last serviced – or whether they’re still safe to use?
We can inspect, refurbish and certify your equipment to manufacturer standards.
📞 Call: 01254 933 486
📩 Email: info@velocitysafety.co.uk
🌐 Or request a PFPE service online
