LOLER Regulations

Video 5 of 34
3 min 35 sec
English
English
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In this video, we are going to be covering LOLER. LOLER is an abbreviation for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. These regulations place responsibilities on individuals and companies who own, operate or control any type of lifting equipment, whether the equipment is actually owned by them or not. LOLER and PUWER regulations require that all equipment used for lifting during work activities is appropriate and fit for purpose and that all operations must be properly planned by a competent person under appropriate supervision. They must always be carried out in a safe manner.

Many of the regulations relating to machinery, we have already covered in our PUWER video. Risk must be managed and controlled to avoid any injury or damage. This can be done by planning the lift properly, ensuring that people who are using the lifting equipment are competent, supervised and trained.

When assessing the risk involved in using lifting equipment and meeting the requirements of LOLER, you need to consider the type of load being lifted, its weight, shape and what it is. You also need to assess the risk of the load falling and striking a person or object, and the consequences of lifting equipment failing or falling over when in use.

Ergonomic risks should be considered. This takes into account the size and the shape of a human body to ensure that operating positions, working height and reach can be adapted to accommodate the intended operator. No undue force, stretching or reaching should be required. All new lifting equipment need to satisfy certain essential health and safety requirements, as set out in Article 100a, product safety directives. Existing equipment does not necessarily have to meet the same level of protection, but this does depend on the degree of the risk. The greater the risk is the greater the measures you need to take to control the risk.

LOLER applies to many different types of lifting equipment, from vehicle inspection hoists, a passenger lift in an office block, automated storage and retrieval systems, vehicle towel lifts or bath hoists used for lifting residents into a bath in a nursing home. All lifting equipment should be strong and stable enough for the intended load. It must be clearly marked to indicate the safe working load for each configuration, accessories for lifting should be marked in such a way that it is possible to identify the characteristics for their safe use.

Finally, it is the employer's responsibility to ensure that a competent person carries out the servicing. They must also keep records of the examination and service reports for inspection by the HSE if an accident ever did occur.