What is LOLER? A Simple Guide To Lifting Equipment Regulations

Lifting operations have the potential to place people at risk of injury, as well as incurring huge costs if things do go wrong. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, abbreviated to LOLER, LOLER Regulations, or LOLER 1998, place duties on people and organisations that own, operate, or have control over lifting equipment.

Bdaily reports that LOLER inspectors are turning their focus to improving standards post-pandemic, and urging companies, particularly construction and material handling firms to ensure that their LOLER, PSSR (The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000), and COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002) are up to date.

In the majority of cases, lifting equipment will also be covered by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, or PUWER, so make sure you fully understand your legal duties under PUWER when it comes to maintaining and inspecting lifting equipment.

What is LOLER?

In the simplest of terms, LOLER regulations mean that all lifting operations that involve lifting equipment must be properly planned by a competent person, and appropriately supervised and undertaken safely and sensibly.

LOLER also requires that all equipment used for lifting is fit for purpose and appropriate for the task and that maintenance is recorded and defects reported.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that businesses and organisations carrying out lifting operations providing lifting equipment for others to use ensure that operations are planned properly, operators are sufficiently trained and competent, appropriately supervised, and those operations are carried out safely.

If you need a LOLER inspection arranged to conduct thorough inspections of your lifting equipment, talk to us today.