LIFTING OPERATIONS AND LIFTING EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 1998 (LOLER)
Statutory Instrument 1998 No. 2307
Atlantic Bridge Limited can provide Training Courses on LOLER and also advice in specific situations.
The following is an overview of LOLER, but the regulations should always be referred to for the definitive text.
Application
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations apply wherever the HSW Act is enforced. They are an extension PUWER and apply to lifting equipment provided for use or used by an employee at work. They also apply to a self-employed persons, persons who control, supervise, manage the use of lifting equipment or the way it is used. These regulations often have to be read with the Work At Height regulations.
Key Responsibilities of Employers
Strength and Stability. Every employer must ensure that;
- lifting equipment has adequate strength and stability for each load, particularly considering the stress at its mounting or fixing point and,
- every part of a load and anything attached to it and used in lifting it is of adequate strength.
Lifting equipment for lifting persons. Every employer shall ensure that equipment for lifting persons:
- shall prevent a person using it being crushed, trapped or struck or falling from the carrier
- has suitable devices to prevent the risk of a carrier falling
- and that persons trapped in any carrier are not exposed to danger and can be freed
Positioning and installation. Employers shall ensure that lifting equipment is positioned or installed in such a way as to reduce to as low as is reasonably practicable the risk to persons from impact or from falling loads. Additionally persons shall be protected from falling down shafts etc
Organisation of lifting operations. Employers shall ensure that these are properly and safely planned, supervised and carried out.
Examination and inspection. The regulations define when examinations and inspections are to be carried out and recorded. The general rule is for apparatus for lifting persons examinations should be 6 months, for other lifting equipment every 12 months.
Reports and defects. The regulations call for reports to be made if lifting equipment could become a danger to persons. The reporting is detailed in the regulations.
The regulations also specify how long various reports are to be kept.
Conclusion
All employers involved in any way with lifting operations or equipment should be familiar with LOLER. It is particularly important that lifting equipment is CE Marked and that a credible Declaration of Conformity exists. The planning, management and execution of lifting operations are key responsibilities of an employer
If you are experiencing difficulties Atlantic Bridge Ltd can offer training and help to meet your responsibilities under LOLER.