Lifting Equipment Examinations

Here at Safe Test Wales our aim is to aid you in keeping your equipment fit for purpose and your company in compliance with the relevant LOLER and PUWER regulations.

Below is a helpful guide of what is covered and what you need to do to fulfil your duties.

If you need any further guidance or to book an examination please feel free to contact us.

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The Regulations Explained

What equipment is covered by the Regulations?

Lifting equipment includes any equipment used at work for lifting or lowering loads, including attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it. The Regulations cover a wide range of equipment including, cranes, forklift trucks, lifts, hoists, mobile elevating work platforms, and vehicle inspection platform hoists. The definition also includes lifting accessories such as chains, slings, eyebolts etc.

Do the Regulations apply to me?

If you are an employer or self-employed person providing lifting equipment for use at work, or you have control of the use of lifting equipment, then the Regulations will apply to you.

What does LOLER require?

LOLER addresses the specific risks associated with the use of lifting equipment. Thorough examination and inspection are key requirements of the Regulations. To meet these requirements, duty holders must:

ensure lifting equipment (including lifting accessories) exposed to conditions causing deterioration which could lead to dangerous situations undergoes regular thorough examination by a competent person
ensure all supplementary inspections and tests recommended by the competent person are carried out within the timescale stated.

What equipment is covered by LOLER?

The scope of the Regulations is very wide and includes a range of equipment. There are two important definitions you need to know:

lifting equipment’ means work equipment for lifting and lowering loads. The definition includes attachments used to anchor, fix or support the equipment (eg the runway of an overhead crane)
‘accessory for lifting’ means lifting equipment for attaching loads to machinery for lifting.

What is thorough examination?

A thorough examination is a systematic and detailed examination of the lifting equipment by a competent person to detect any defects that are, or might become, dangerous.

How often must lifting equipment and accessories be thoroughly examined?

You must have lifting equipment thoroughly examined. You can arrange for the thorough examination to be carried out: - at regular intervals (either at least every 6 months or 12 months depending on whether the lifting equipment is for lifting people or not); or - in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person.