LOLER Inspections
Lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations 1998
Under the Lifting operations and lifting equipment regulations 1998 all Lifting equipment must be subject to an examination every 6 months or 12 months depending on its application; Use our LOLER frequency guide to see how often items should be inspected here.
Contact us at admin@aweinspection.co.uk to arrange friendly on-site testing with minimum disruption to your business...all carried out by a qualified Engineer:
The Thorough Examination (LOLER Inspection)
Lifting equipment must be “Thoroughly Examined” (Inspected) in a number of situations, including:
- Before first use (unless there is a valid Declaration of Conformity made less than 12 months earlier).
- Where it depends on installation or re-installation / assembly at another site.
- Where it is exposed to conditions causing deterioration, liable to result in danger.
- As per the LOLER 1998 Regulations.
Records of thorough examinations should be made and, where defects are identified, they should be reported to both the person using the equipment (and to any person from whom it has been hired or leased) and the relevant enforcing authority (HSE for industrial workplaces; local authorities for most other workplaces).
What we can do
- Carry out LOLER Inspections on most types of Lifting Equipment.
- Carry out LOLER (&PUWER) Thorough examinations at your site of work.
- Give Instant feedback on the equipment inspected.
- Thorough Examination reports emailed or hard copy.
- Schedule Examinations for the future if asked.
- Plus – We always give free advice over the phone.
What equipment we can Inspect
Forklifts, Sideloaders and Telehandlers. Cranes, Gantry Cranes and Lorry Mounted Cranes. Garage equipment including 2 post / 4 post vehicle lifts. Harnesses and lanyards. Loose items such as shackles, eye bolts and lifting stops. Port equipment such as Reachstackers and empty handlers. Skip lifting lorries, recovery trucks, low loaders and winches. In fact, far too much to list on one page.
What you should do?
If your Business undertakes any lifting operations you should:
Select the right equipment - LOLER requires that equipment must be of suitable strength and stability. This adds to the general obligations under PUWER regarding the suitability of work equipment. It must be installed and positioned in such a way as to minimise any risk of the load falling or striking a person or being unintentionally released.
Mark all Lifting Equipment - All items must be clearly marked with an SWL (Safe working load) and some form of ID / Serial number for identification. Where equipment is used to lift people, it should be marked to indicate the number of people that can be lifted in addition to the weight of any tools, items that may also be included in the load.
Carry out Regular Maintenance - You should carry out routine maintenance and repairs alongside your normal service schedule.
Carry out LOLER Inspections or “Thorough Examinations” - The Thorough Examination is more commonly referred to as a LOLER Inspection. It must be carried out at an appropriate frequency and by a competent person. Most insurance companies will only class a LOLER Inspector as competent if they have a minimum qualification (or equivalent) of an HNC (Year one of a degree) in an Engineering discipline, 5 Years experience and have passed a course specifically in LOLER.
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
These Regulations (often abbreviated to LOLER) place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over lifting equipment. This includes all businesses and organisations whose employees use lifting equipment, whether owned by them or not. In most cases, lifting equipment is also work equipment so the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) will also apply (including inspection and maintenance). All lifting operations involving lifting equipment must be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
LOLER also requires that all equipment used for lifting is fit for purpose, appropriate for the task, suitably marked and, in many cases, subject to statutory periodic ‘thorough examination’. Records must be kept of all thorough examinations and any defects found must be reported to both the person responsible for the equipment and the relevant enforcing authority.
What does LOLER apply to?
LOLER – is an abbreviation for “Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998”. It applies to any item of lifting equipment, including attachments, used for supporting, fixing or lifting. LOLER regulations apply to a range of equipment including Cranes, Forklift, Scissor lifts, Pallet trucks and mobile/elevating work platforms. We have covered as equipment and their inspection frequency on our “Guide” page.
Equipment is on hire. Who is responsible for ensuring a Thorough exam/LOLER Inspection?
Although some companies believe the owner of any item of equipment would be the person responsible for any legal compliance the health & safety at work act 1974 states that:
“It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees”
If you know it needs its annual inspection it's your legal obligation to ensure it has been carried out before allowing any employee to use it.
What is a Lifting accessory?
An accessory is not a permanent part but can be used to attach a load to lifting equipment. Items include Chains, Hooks, Shackles & Eyebolts. All lifting accessories are to be inspected at 6-month intervals.
What is Lifting Equipment?
Lifting equipment is a general term for any equipment that can be used to lift loads. This can include obvious items such as Jacks, Cranes etc or indeed anything that functions to raise or lower loads.
What should be inspected under LOLER and how often should it be checked?
Use our inspection frequency guide here.