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Lifting Equipment
Lifting equipment inspections & Testing (LOLER)
If you own, operate or have control of lifting equipment, you have a legal duty under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), to ensure that the equipment is safe to use and properly maintained.
The regulations cover various aspects related to lifting equipment, including its design, construction, installation, examination, testing and safe operation.
Bureau Veritas has an experienced team of qualified inspection engineers, ready to work with you to ensure LOLER compliance.
REDUCE RISKS AND KEEP EQUIPMENT SAFE IN USE
The LOLER regulations aim to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries associated with lifting operations and equipment, promoting workplace safety and compliance with best practices.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines a LOLER inspection as:
A “thorough examination of lifting equipment by a qualified or ‘competent’ person.”
You should ensure that the person carrying out a thorough examination has such appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the lifting equipment to be thoroughly examined as will enable them to detect defects or weaknesses and to assess their importance in relation to the safety and continued use of the lifting equipment.
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WHAT DOES A LOLER INSPECTION INCLUDE?
- Thorough Examination: In-service lifting equipment must undergo regular thorough examinations by competent individuals. The frequency of these examinations depends on the type of equipment, its usage, and other factors, but typically it is either six or 12 months and anything used for lifting people must be inspected every six months
- Safe Working Load (SWL): Lifting equipment must have a clearly marked Safe Working Load, indicating the maximum weight it is designed to lift safely
- Training and competence: Operators of lifting equipment must be adequately trained and competent to use the equipment safely
- Planning and supervision: Lifting operations must be properly planned and supervised to ensure safety
- Maintenance and repairs: Lifting equipment should be well-maintained, and any defects or faults must be addressed promptly
- Records: Detailed records of thorough examinations, maintenance, and testing must be kept and made available for inspection
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A LOLER INSPECTION?
- Achieve and maintain compliance with LOLER and PUWER, helping to ensure the safety of your lifting equipment.
- Identify faults earlier and keep equipment in operation.
- Demonstrate your commitment to safety best practice and boost confidence for stakeholders.
- Reduce the risk of penalties for non-compliance.
WHY CHOOSE BUREAU VERITAS FOR LOLER INSPECTIONS?
As a UKAS 17020 accredited Type A inspection body you can be assured that we are independent and have no association with any repair / maintenance organisations or Insurance companies.
MAIA & Swift - An easy way to manage and control your global inspection process online
As part of our enhanced inspection service – and free for mechanical inspection clients – we offer access to live, accurate and reliable data for all inspection reports using SWIFT, our online reporting system.
Developed in-house by our own team of experts, SWIFT is a web-based portal which gives our safe, secure, 24/7 access to your inspection records, visit reports and equipment lists.
Chief Mechanical Engineer
Bureau Veritas
It’s fantastic to work for a company that is so well respected all across the world. At Bureau Veritas we invest in our people to make sure they can do the best possible job for their clients. It’s easy to see the difference that makes.
FAQS
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WHAT TYPES OF EQUIPMENT REQUIRE LOLER INSPECTIONS?
Lifting equipment applicable under LOLER includes cranes (including mobile cranes), forklift trucks, telescopic handlers, lifts, hoists, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), access platforms, scissor lifts and vehicle inspection platform hoists. Lifting accessories such as chains, slings and eye bolts also fall under LOLER.
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WHO CAN CARRY OUT LOLER INSPECTIONS?
Only competent persons with appropriate ‘practical and theoretical knowledge and experience’ of the lifting equipment can undertake inspections. This usually means qualified engineer surveyors.
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD LOLER INSPECTIONS BE CARRIED OUT?
The required frequency of inspections depends on the equipment, its condition and use. In general, LOLER inspections should be carried out every six to 12 months, but exceptions apply, including if there has been damage or failure.
Lifting equipment and any accessories used to lift people should be inspected every six months. Lifting accessories should be inspected every six months. Most other lifting equipment should be inspected every 12 months.
