LOLER
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
The regulations governing lifting equipment and lifting operations: strength and stability, marking, planning by a competent person, and periodic thorough examination.
LOLER applies to any equipment used at work for lifting or lowering loads, including the accessories that attach the load: cranes, excavators used for lifting, telehandlers, forklifts, MEWPs, hoists, lorry loaders, chain blocks, slings, shackles and eyebolts. It requires that the equipment be strong and stable enough for the load, positioned and installed to reduce risk, marked with its safe working load, and that every lifting operation be planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out safely.
The part every contractor knows is the thorough examination: by a competent person, at least every six months for equipment lifting people and for lifting accessories, at least every twelve months for other lifting equipment, or in accordance with a written scheme of examination, and after installation or exceptional circumstances. The report is kept and defects notified. The part that gets missed is the planning: the lift plan for a routine excavator lift of a drainage ring is as much a LOLER requirement as the one for a tower crane.
Where it comes from
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 regs.4 to 11 and Schedule 1.
- HSE Approved Code of Practice L113 (Safe use of lifting equipment).
- BS 7121 (Code of practice for safe use of cranes) and BS 7121-1 for the appointed person.
Questions people ask
Does LOLER apply to an excavator?
When it is used for lifting (a drainage ring on chains, a trench box), yes. It needs a rated lifting point, a check valve or the equivalent, marking of the safe working load, a thorough examination as lifting equipment, and a lift plan for the operation.
How often are slings and shackles examined?
Every six months as lifting accessories, plus a visual check before each use. Colour-coding by examination period is the usual way to make the six-month rule visible on site.
LOLER, handled on a phone
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