LOLER
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
Frequently asked questions
What is LOLER Testing?
The LOLER inspection(often refered to as LOLER test, or insurance inspection) is a thorough examination of lifting equipment to ensure its safety and compliance with the regulations.
The focus of the examination is safety and integrity, checking equipment for wear and tear, defects and compliance with the regulations.
Who can carry out LOLER Inspections?
LOLER examinations must be carried out by a COMPETENT PERSON , who is suitably qualified and experienced to test the equipment.
It is best practice that LOLER thorough examinations are carried out by competent person independent of maintenance providers and the equipment owner to ensure impartiality. Hiring someone like HWEC ensures that inspections will be objective and unbiased.
What comes under LOLER?
A wide range of lifting equipment falls under LOLER, including lifts, cranes, hoists, forklift trucks, lorry loaders (e.g. HIABs), bin lifters, and lifting accessories such as slings, shackles, lifting brackets and hooks.
Lifting equipment used in professional or industrial settings are likely subject to LOLER and require legally require regular inspections for wear, damage and defects.
How often should LOLER inspections be done?
LOLER inspection frequencies vary, but in general lifting machines for lifting goods are 12 monthly, lifting machines for lifting people are 6 monthly, and lifting accessories for coupling a load to a lifting machine are also 6 monthly. Examples of lifting equipment include:
6 Monthly:
Passenger lift
360 excavator with elevating cab
Forklift truck (for lifting person/moffet/VNA
Mobile elevating work platform (MEWP)
Vehicle lift
Fibre slings/chain slings/shackles/lifting beam etc.
12 monthly:
Mobile Cranes (good only)
360 excavator (crane duties)
Forklift truck (goods only)
Goods lift
Hoists/chain blocks/lever-pull
Jib arms
Lorry loaders
Plant we Inspect
- LIFTS: Passenger lifts, goods lifts, platform lifts, disabled access lifts, home lifts
- CRANES including gantry, pillar jib, overhead travelling cranes, lorry mounted (HIAB etc.) crane tracks and runway beams
- FORKLIFT TRUCKS: side-loaders, reach trucks, VNAs, orderpickers, telehandlers
- Loaders and 360 Excavators, material handlers, back-hoes
- ROAD VEHICLE LIFTS: single post, 2, 4, 6, & 8 post, scissor lifts, work platforms, jacks and garage equipment
- VEHICLE TAILBOARD LIFTS: including wheelchair access
- Racking
- Lifting tackle, vacuum lifts, hoists, chain blocks etc
- Home-aids: stair Climbers, stair Lifts, patient Hoists, stand-aids and slings and harnesses
- Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP) -static/self-propelled & push-around & vehicle mounted. boom/scissor/vertical
- Refuse lifters, skip lorries, hook Loaders, vehicle transporters
- PPE, working at height, anchor-systems, fall-arrest, rescue equipment
- Rope access
- Arboriculture equipment
- Theatre Equipment
