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.
For more informaton visist the UK government HSE website directly.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Avoiding crane collapses.
- Considerations When Installing a Residential Lift.
- Crane regulations.
- Lifting device.
- Lifting platform.
- Lifts for buildings.
- Pulley.
- Site records and registers.
- Temporary demountable structures.
- Work at height.
- Work at height checklist for managers.
- Work at height regulations.
Featured articles and news
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding..