The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) are duties placed on companies or people who own or operate lifting equipment. This applies to any lifting equipment and accessories used at work.
PUWER stands for Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and applies to all work equipment.
The LOLER (1998), requires that machinery and equipment is subject to a systematic and detailed examination by a competent person, with a written report completed.
It is vital that machinery and equipment is inspected to ensure it remains safe for use for its lifetime. Inspections should be carried out:
- Before first use
- After assembly and before first use at each location (for equipment that requires assembly or installation before use)
- Every 6 months for lifting equipment / accessories used to lift people or every 12 months for all other lifting equipment
In some cases it may be necessary to complete inspections more regularly. The frequency of inspections should be determined through risk assessment, taking full account of any manufacturer’s recommendations. Further recommendations on inspection relating to cranes are given in BS 7121 British Standard Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Cranes.
‘Lifting equipment’ means work equipment for lifting and lowering loads. This includes lifting accessories and attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting the equipment
Some examples of Lifting Equipment Includes, but is not limited to:
- Hiab Cranes
- Overhead cranes and their supporting runways
- Motor vehicle lifts
- Vehicle tail lifts
- Goods and passenger lifts
- Telehandlers and fork lifts
- Lifting chains and slings
- Earth movers
- Lifting accessories
Our inspections cover all matters which could affect the safety of lifting equipment. In most cases, we would carry out the following:
- Visual inspection
- Functional checks
- Measurements of wear
- Non-destructive testing
- Load testing
- Formal report documents and certification