A run down of the LOLER Regulations 1998 by http://www.lifting-equipment.co.uk/

1. You’re Responsible… forYou’re Responsible… for
someone's life!!someone's life!!
Don’tDon’t
LetLet
ThemThem
DownDown

2. If you work with lifting equipment,
you should know about…
LOLER 1998
Who’sWho’s
LOLER?LOLER?

3. LOLER stands for:
Lifting
Operations
(and)
Lifting
Equipment
Regulations

4. What’s the story??
The LOLER Regulations came in to action on 5
December 1998 under the Health and Safety at
Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act).
The Regulations apply to any work place covered in
the HSW Act and brings together two former pieces
of legislation, the ‘Amending Directive to the Use of
Work Equipment Directive (AUWED, 95/63/EC) and
the ‘Provision and Use of Work Equipment
Regulations 1998 (PUWER)’ to cover all main types
of lifting equipment within the work place.
•

5. What needs to be tested?
‘“lifting equipment” means work equipment for lifting or lowering loads and
includes its attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it;’
ForkliftForklift
TrucksTrucks
HoistsHoists
EyeboltsEyebolts

6. Who do the regulations cover??
‘ (2) The requirements imposed by these Regulations on an employer in
respect of lifting equipment shall apply in relation to lifting equipment
provided for use or used by an employee of his at work.
(3) The requirements imposed by these Regulations on an employer shall also
apply –
(a) to a self-employed person, in respect of lifting equipment he uses at
work;
(b) subject to paragraph (5), to a person who has control to any extent
of –
(i) lifting equipment;
(ii) a person at work who uses or supervises or manages
the use of lifting equipment; or
(iii) the way in which lifting equipment is used,
and to the extent of his control.

7. Therefore if you are either self-employed or an employer
providing lifting equipment to be used in the workplace, or you
control lifting equipment then these Regulations apply to you.
The LOLER Regulations don’t just cover factory and construction sites, they cover any
work premises that the HSW Act cover, such as…
shopsshopsOfficesOffices
HospitalsHospitals

8. What they say…
When using lifting equipment the requirements of the LOLER
Regulations must be met. All lifting equipment must be:
• Visibly marked up with the appropriate load information for safe
use, this ensures that any contractors using the equipment are
familiar with the maximum safe loads. Also, any accessories
used with the equipment should be appropriately marked.
•
• They should be positioned in such a way that should a load fall it
will not cause injury e.g. from equipment falling or striking a
person.
•
• The correct type of equipment must be selected, being ‘sufficiently
strong, stable and suitable for the proposed use.’

9. Other considerations when using lifting equipment:
• Lifting equipment (where appropriate) should be inspected thoroughly to
ensure it is safe for use. The Regulations also specify that some types
of lifting equipment (used for lifting people) i.e. eyebolts, should be
inspected every six months by a competent person (with the
appropriate ‘skills, knowledge and experience.’)
•
• All lifting operations should be planned, carried out in a safe manner and
supervised by people who are classed as competent.
•
• If lifting equipment is to be used for the hoisting of people it should be
marked accordingly, with the appropriate loads and all necessary
precautions taken to eliminate any risks.
•
• Following the inspections of any lifting equipment (by a competent
person) a full report should be submitted, detailing and actions
required, ensuring that the equipment is safe for use.

10. Lifting Gear UK
Lifting Gear UK is the one stop provider for a complete lifting and handling equipment
service, with branches throughout the UK. Whether your requirement is equipment
hire, sales, on or off site testing, repairs, LOLER inspections or bespoke fabrications,
Lifting Gear UK has both the expertise and equipment to get the job done.
www.lifting-equipment.co.uk