FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW OFTEN SHOULD A LOLER INSPECTION BE CARRIED OUT?

A LOLER Inspection, as outlined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), constitutes a comprehensive examination of lifting equipment conducted by a qualified or 'competent' individual. It is imperative to uphold your legal obligation to maintain up-to-date inspections, as failure to do so may result in penalties and legal consequences.

Frequency of LOLER Inspections

The frequency of LOLER inspections is contingent upon the specific equipment in question:

6-Month Intervals: Lifting equipment, including accessories used for lifting people, and all lifting accessories necessitate inspections every six months.
12-Month Intervals: All other types of lifting equipment mandate inspections every twelve months.

Responding to Exceptional Circumstances

In certain exceptional circumstances that may jeopardize the safe use of your equipment, prompt action is required. These circumstances include but are not limited to equipment damage, extended periods of disuse, or significant alterations such as modifications or replacements of critical components. In such cases, immediate inspection is essential to ensure continued safety.

Our Expertise and Dedication

At LOLER Inspection Services, we possess the experience and expertise needed to handle a wide spectrum of inspection requirements. Our commitment to professionalism, efficiency, and delivering exceptional results sets us apart.

WHAT DOES A LOLER INSPECTION INVOLVE?

When conducting a thorough LOLER inspection, the competent person, relying on their professional judgment, determines the inspection's scope. This scope encompasses all factors affecting the safety of the lifting equipment, taking into account the natural wear and tear that occurs over time.

Essential Components of the Inspection

During the inspection process, the examiner conducts a meticulous assessment of the equipment, focusing on the following key elements:

Basic Functionality: The primary function of the machinery is thoroughly examined to ensure it operates as intended.
Wear and Tear: The inspector scrutinizes the equipment for any signs of wear and tear or damage that may present an immediate or future hazard.
Recorded Findings: Any relevant findings, including precise measurements of wear, are documented in the inspection report. This report is subsequently provided to you, the client, serving as a valuable reference.
Load Testing: A critical part of the inspection involves performing a load test. This test confirms that the equipment can safely lift a load at its rated capacity, aligning with industry standards.

Inspection Times

The duration of LOLER inspections may vary depending on several factors, including the type of equipment under assessment, its age, and its current condition. These variables influence the extent of scrutiny and testing required to ensure the equipment's safety and compliance.

WHO CAN CARRY OUT A LOLER INSPECTION?

As per the stringent LOLER regulations, the responsibility of conducting LOLER inspections falls solely on competent individuals. These individuals must possess the right blend of experience, knowledge, and training, coupled with a deep understanding of what to scrutinize.
Here at LOLER Inspection services we have the qualifications, expertise, experience and professional training to help you ensure that your lifting equipment and machinery are safe to operate and are fully compliant with the required standards, thus keeping you and your people safe.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF EQUIPMENT TO WHICH LOLER APPLIES?

LOLER regulations cast a wide net, encompassing an extensive array of lifting equipment and lifting accessories utilized within various workplace settings. While this list is non-exhaustive, it provides an overview of the many types of equipment subject to LOLER:

Cranes
Forklift Trucks
Hoists
Passenger and Goods Lifts
Service Lifts
Lifting Platforms
Cherry Pickers
Telehandlers
Scissor Lifts
Winches
Vehicle-Mounted Lifting Equipment (e.g., Cranes and Grabs)
Lifting Attachments (e.g., Buckets, Lifting Beams, Spreader Bars, Load Forks)
Stacker Trucks
Pallet Trucks
Lifting Tables
Accessories (e.g., Slings, Eyebolts, Shackles)

LOLER regulations aim to ensure that all these equipment types are maintained in safe working condition, regularly inspected, and compliant with industry standards. This comprehensive approach to safety helps protect personnel and property in a wide range of workplace scenarios.

WHO DOES PUWER APPLY TO?

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) apply to all work equipment used within the workplace. PUWER's reach extends to various scenarios:

Employer-Owned Equipment: PUWER encompasses equipment owned by the employer, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that these assets are safe and suitable for their intended use.
Hired Equipment: Equipment hired from third-party providers is also subject to PUWER regulations. Employers are responsible for verifying that hired equipment meets safety and compliance standards.
Contractor Equipment: When contractors bring equipment onto a worksite, whether owned by them or another entity, PUWER obligations remain in place. Employers must ensure that contractor equipment adheres to PUWER requirements while on their premises.

The overarching goal of PUWER is to guarantee the safety and well-being of employees by establishing stringent standards and practices for the use of work equipment in various workplace scenarios.

HOW DO I MAKE SURE THAT I AM PUWER COMPLIANT?

You can ensure that you are compliant with PUWER regulations by:

Carrying out risk assessments so that any hazards can be identified that may be associated with the use of your work equipment.
Selecting work equipment that is suitable to meet the requirements of the intended task safely and that meets all the relevant safety standards.
Providing your employees with adequate information, instruction, and training on the safe use of your work equipment.
Keeping your work equipment in a safe condition by regularly maintaining it and carrying out regular maintenance and pre use inspections.
Incorporating suitable health and safety measures, such as equipping your work equipment with manufacturer approved protective devices and controls.

WHAT COULD RESULT FROM NOT COMPLYING WITH PUWER REGULATIONS?

There is a legal requirement to comply with PUWER regulations in the UK.
You may incur heavy penalties such as fines, criminal charges, or even imprisonment if you do not comply with PUWER, LOLER, and other associated health and safety legislation.
HSE inspectors enforce PUWER regulations and are entitled to carry out checks and inspections on your equipment and records and can even halt operations to take measurements, samples, or photographs to aid their investigations.
They are empowered to issue enforcement and/or prohibition notices and can legally stop production to initiate prosecution proceedings.
We can help you avoid prosecution and uncapped fines by helping you keep your equipment safe and compliant.

WHAT ARE PUWER'S MAIN OBJECTIVES?

The main objectives of PUWER are to:

Ensure that the equipment you provide is suitable and safe for the task at hand and it's intended use.
Ensure that clear guidelines are provided for the maintenance, safe operation, and inspection of your work equipment.
Ensure that any risks associated with the use of your work equipment is minimised.
Promote the training and competence of your employees, so that they are capable and qualified to operate, use, or manage your work equipment.
Enable the establishment of procedures for identifying and suitably controlling any potential hazards that may be associated with your work equipment.

PUWER places various duties on employers which include:

Carrying out risk assessments for the purpose of identifying any potential hazards related to their work equipment.
Ensuring that their work equipment is suitably maintained and regularly inspected.
Making sure that they provide adequate training for their employees and that all relevant information is made available to them.
Ensuring that any risks that have been identified have control measures implemented against them.

It is important that employees cooperate with their employers regarding the information above, work safely, and report any hazards, equipment defects, or other safety related issues that may arise whilst carrying out their duties

As part of this, employees are expected to cooperate with their employers, follow safe work practices, and report any equipment defects or hazards that they may find while working.

Both employers and employees have a responsibility to ensure that their workplace is safe and free from accidents or injuries and should therefore familiarise themselves with the specific requirements of PUWER that relate to their equipment and workplace.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ON LOLER AND PUWER REGULATIONS?

The GOV.UK website has everything you need to know regarding PUWER and LOLER legislation, including other related health and safety legislation. See the links below for more information:

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) (hse.gov.uk)

and

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) (hse.gov.uk)