LOLER Inspection
What is a LOLER?
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, otherwise known as LOLER or Lifting Equipment Inspection is a detailed examination of lifting equipment that is carried out by a competent person. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations requires that all operations relating to lifting equipment must be accurately planned by a competent person, supervised appropriately and carried out in a safe manner to prevent the risk of injury. LOLER also requires that all equipment involved with lifting should be fit for purpose, appropriate for the job and suitably marked, with maintenance records and any damages reported.
What Do the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations Require?
An assessment of the risks at work associated with the lifting equipment must be able to be identified where the provision for thorough examination and inspection within LOLER applies. The thorough examination must be carried out by a competent person, who is independent and impartial to allow objective decisions to be made and LOLER inspection before the use of the lifting equipment in the workplace.
Where Does LOLER Apply?
LOLER applies every time lifting equipment is used in the workplace, regardless of whether the equipment is owned by you or not. To comply with LOLER, the lifting equipment must have passed a thorough examination by a competent person. It must be marked with its Safe Working Load, as well as any characteristics that might affect the safe use of the equipment.
How Often Does Lifting Equipment Need to Undergo a Thorough Examination?
To comply with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, the lifting equipment must have passed a thorough examination by a competent person and received a LOLER certificate. Thorough examinations should be carried out within the following timescale:
- 6 months - for lifting equipment and any accessories used to lift people.
- 6 months - for all lifting accessories
- 12 months - for all other lifting equipment
How Often Must a LOLER Inspection Be Carried Out By A Competent Person?
1. Before the first time of use, unless the equipment has an EC declaration of Conformity less than one year old and was not assembled on site. If assembled on site, a competent person must examine the equipment to establish the assembly was correct and safe.
2. Lifting equipment should always be thoroughly examined following ‘exceptional circumstances’ such as if it is damaged or fails, if the equipment is out of use for long periods of time or if there is a major change in how it is used.
3. Regularly in service, if the equipment is exposed to conditions causing deterioration that is likely to result in injury. If the following applies to your equipment then you can arrange for a thorough examination to be carried out at regular intervals (at least every 6 months or 12 months depending on whether the lifting equipment is for lifting people or not).
4. After assembly and before use at each location for equipment that requires assembly or installation.
What Lifting Equipment Does LOLER Cover?
Lifting equipment includes any equipment used in the workplace for lifting loads or lowering loads. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations cover any lifting equipment used in the workplace, although some equipment is not considered as lifting equipment and therefore not subject to LOLER.
LOLER covers a wide range of equipment including:
- Forklifts trucks
- Lifts
- Hoists
- Cranes
- Mobile elevating work platforms
- Vehicle inspection platform hoists
- Scissor lifts
LOLER regulations also cover lifting accessories including:
- Chains
- Slings
- Ropes
- Eyebolts
In accordance with LOLER standards, all lifting equipment within the workplace should be positioned to reduce any risks, as far as reasonably practicable, of the equipment or load striking a person, or of the load drifting, falling freely or being unintentionally released.
What Does a LOLER Inspection Cover?
This is usually left to the responsibility of the competent person undertaking the examination, however, it must include all matters which affect the safety of the lifting equipment, including likely deterioration with time. For most lifting equipment and accessories there are requirements which the competent person must follow when undertaking examinations including:
- Visual examination and functional checks
- Measurements of Wear
- In some cases, load testing
- Some disassembly or internal examination may be required
Should I Keep My Records?
You must keep your records of all thorough examinations and inspections for all your lifting equipment as set out in the table.
The competent person carrying out the LOLER inspection must provide the user with a written report of the thorough examination and any inspections or testing they do. The report must state if there are any damages and state any requirements to put them right.
The competent person carrying out the LOLER inspection must provide the user with a written report of the thorough examination and any inspections or testing they do. The report must state if there are any damages and state any requirements to put them right.
LOLER requires that the report must state the following:
- The date the examination was carried out
- The date when the next examination is required
- Any damages found that could potentially cause injury to people.
If any serious damages where to be found, the independent person carrying out the examination must immediately report this and state this on the written report.