Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) place legal duties and responsibilities on those who own, operate or have control over lifting equipment. It was created under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and came into force in 1998, replacing several preceding pieces of legislation which had previously regulated the use of lifting equipment.
LOLER defines lifting equipment as ‘work equipment for lifting or lowering loads and includes its attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it.’
Equipment covered by the regulations includes:
- Lifts.
- Cranes.
- Ropes.
- Slings.
- Hoists.
- Rope and pulley systems.
- Forklift trucks.
The regulations require:
- That lifting equipment is strong and stable enough for safe use.
- Equipment is marked to indicate safe working loads.
- Equipment is positioned and installed so as to minimise risks.
- A competent person plans, organises and performs the safe use of the equipment.
- Equipment is subject to ongoing thorough examination and inspection.
LOLER may not apply where a lift is not used by people at work (such as a lift in a shop used by customers). However, Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act imposes general responsibilities for the safety of users.
LOLER requires that lifts are thoroughly examined by a competent person at least every six months or, in the case of goods-only lifts, every 12 months. Insurance companies will generally request that a third party independent inspector to carries out the inspections. The minimum requirements are:
- Every six months for lifting equipment used for lifting/lowering persons.
- Every six months for lifting accessories.
- Every 12 months for all other lifting equipment not falling into either of the categories above.
A competent person may determine a different time scale.
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