LOLER – Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment

• strong and stable enough for the particular use and marked to indicate safe working loads;
• positioned and installed to minimise any risks;
• used safely, ie the work is planned, organised and performed by competent people; and
• subject to ongoing thorough examination and, where appropriate, inspection by competent a competent person.

Hazards associated with lifting operations and lifting equipment

The typical risks associated with the use of lifting equipment include:

• the mechanics of the lifting equipment itself, such as points of shear and entrapment;
• failures of the equipment (or accessories) in use (risks associated with the strength and stability of the lifting equipment and the accessories used with the equipment (chains, slings, hooks, spreader bars, etc));
• falling loads;
• failure to manage the use and storage of lifting accessories (leading to deterioration of equipment and to increased tripping hazards);
• etc.

Control measures (to keep things safe)

As with all work activities, risk assessment is central to the determination of hazards and the introduction of appropriate control measures. Typical control measures to be considered to reduce the risks associated with the use of lifting equipment may include:

Selection of equipment

When selecting lifting equipment, employers should take note of the working conditions that the equipment will be used in, the tasks that the equipment will be required to do (such as consideration of the loads to be lifted) and relevant existing risks as well as those risks that will be introduced with the new equipment. The employer must also consider whether the equipment has adequate strength for the proposed use. Consideration must also be given to the stability of the equipment for the proposed use. Mobile lifting equipment, such as hydraulic jacks should be stable during use under all foreseeable conditions.

Siting of equipment

Care must be taken with the siting of the lifting equipment. There must be adequate room around lifting equipment to prevent, inter alia, the risk of crushing people against the building, items of equipment or stored materials, etc. Consideration should be given to marking the area around the equipment with, for instance, a yellow box to raise employee awareness to potential hazards and to ensure that materials are not stored in this area. Account should also be taken of the nature of the ground and other surfaces on which the equipment might be used.

Storage of lifting accessories

Adequate arrangements must be made for the safe, secure storage of lifting accessories when they are not in use. This is necessary to ensure that the accessories are not subject to mechanical damage or damage through exposure to oils and greases, etc.

Safe Work Limit

The safe working limit of all lifting equipment must be displayed clearly on the equipment itself. Similarly, all lifting accessories must be marked clearly with their safe loading limits. Operatives must establish the safe loading limit of all components used in any lift (the lifting equipment and the lifting accessories) and must not exceed the limit of the lowest limit (the weakest link).

Maintenance

In line with the requirements of Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), all work equipment must be maintained in a safe and effective condition. Accordingly, the lifting equipment itself must be maintained in good working order, as must any safety devices associated with the equipment.

Statutory inspection and test

Under LOLER all lifting equipment (and accessories) must be tested and inspected by a competent person at regular intervals, with records kept of all inspection and test as well as of any remedial work. The competent person must have appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge of the lifting equipment so that they are able to detect defects or weaknesses. They should also be able to assess the importance of any defects or weaknesses in relation to the continued safety of the lifting equipment.

Lifting equipment that is exposed to conditions which are likely to cause deterioration should be thoroughly examined for any defect at the following intervals:

• after installation and before being put into service for the first time;

• after assembly and before being put into service at a new site or in a new location, to ensure that it has been installed correctly and is safe to operate;

• at least every six months for lifting equipment that lifts persons or lifting accessories;

• at least every 12 months for other lifting equipment;

• in accordance with an examination scheme.

Inspections must be carried out at suitable intervals between thorough examinations. These inspections are to ensure that health and safety conditions are maintained, and that any deterioration can be detected and remedied in good time. Hired lifting equipment must not be used without physical evidence that the last thorough examination required under LOLER has been carried out.

If, during the thorough examination, defects are found, then the competent person is required:

• notify the employer immediately;

• make a report to the employer and to the person from whom the equipment has been hired as soon as practicable;

• send a copy of the report to the relevant enforcing authority where the defect in the equipment presents an imminent risk of serious injury.

An employer who receives a report on defects in equipment is required under LOLER to ensure that the equipment is not used before the defect is rectified.

Planning of lifting operations

It is a specific requirement under LOLER that lifting operations that use lifting equipment are properly planned by a competent person. Planning of lifting operations includes consideration of the load to be lifted (weight, centre of gravity, lifting points, etc.), visibility, failure of the equipment, proximity hazards (from nearby equipment and services or from the structure of the premises), the potential for overload, etc. The guidance that accompanies LOLER makes it clear that for routine lifting operations, the operation need only be planned once, but the plan must be revised regularly to ensure that it remains up to date.

Housekeeping

Housekeeping standards must be maintained to avoid and reduce tripping hazards in the workshop. This is assisted if there is a suitable location for the safe storage of lifting accessories, etc. for when they are not in use.

Training

To ensure that equipment is use properly, employees must provide suitable training to employees and restrict the use of lifting equipment to trained, authorised employees. As well as training in the use of the equipment, employees must be aware of the hazards associated with the use of the equipment and in the control measures to be used to avoid or control the risks. If the equipment can be lowered onto the operator, or the operative’s foot, then this issue must be highlighted as part of the training.

Summary

The use of lifting equipment decreases the need for manual handling of loads, but may lead to increases in other risks. Lifting equipment (and accessories) must be suitable and strong enough for the tasks it is used for, it must be maintained in a good and effective condition and subject to statutory examination at appropriate intervals. Lifting operations must be planned and must be carried out by trained persons in a safe manner. Housekeeping standards must be maintained to prevent injuries.