LOLER is a legal requirement for those and companies that own, use, or operate lifting equipment, meaning they must regularly and comprehensively inspect it.
A competent individual not involved in equipment maintenance should conduct examinations.
Mastering Safety: A Guide to LOLER Training for Lifting Equipment Inspection
Ensuring safety in the workplace, especially when it involves lifting equipment, is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical measure to prevent accidents and maintain operational efficiency. This UK-based exploration into LOLER training sheds light on the vital role of thorough lifting equipment inspection and the expertise required to execute it effectively. Elite Cranes LOLER training equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to assess and manage the risks associated with lifting operations and equipment.
LOLER safeguards not only those directly involved in lifting operations but also those within the vicinity, promoting a safer working environment for all. This guide delves into the specifics of LOLER training, highlighting its importance for anyone responsible for planning, supervising, or conducting lifting operations. By emphasising the legal requirements, practical inspection techniques, and risk assessment strategies, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of what LOLER training entails and how it contributes to workplace safety and compliance.
Navigating through the technicalities and legalities of lifting equipment inspection can be daunting. Yet, with the right training, individuals can acquire the competency to not only comply with LOLER regulations but also to contribute significantly to the prevention of workplace accidents and injuries. Whether you’re a manager, safety officer, or operational staff, understanding the intricacies of LOLER training is a step towards achieving a safer and more efficient working environment.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Legal Framework | Understanding LOLER regulations and how they apply to lifting operations and equipment. |
| Risk Assessment | Techniques for evaluating risks associated with lifting equipment and operations. |
| Inspection Procedures | Step-by-step guidance on conducting thorough inspections of lifting equipment. |
| Reporting and Record Keeping | How to document findings and ensure compliance with legal requirements. |
| Equipment Types | Overview of various lifting equipment covered under LOLER training. |
| Practical Application | Hands-on approaches to apply LOLER principles in real-world scenarios. |
| Certification | Information on obtaining certification and the importance of continuous learning. |
What is LOLER?
LOLER regulations aim to ensure employee safety when using lifting equipment. The regulations impose duties upon individuals and companies who own, operate, or control such lifting devices in the workplace, such as vehicle tail lifts for vehicles, cranes, passenger lifts, service and platform lifts, patient hoists, and forklift trucks. All lifting operations must be planned by a competent person before being executed safely; these lifts must also be marked appropriately and undergo regular statutory examinations by qualified personnel at regular intervals.
Comprehensive examinations are an essential requirement of the law and must be conducted by competent persons who possess both theoretical knowledge and practical experience of the equipment being inspected. This means possessing both the technical ability to detect defects as well as the judgement to decide when such defects should warrant stopping use until repairs can be completed.
Regulations require a competent person who conducts examinations to clearly mark equipment to indicate its Safe Working Load (SWL) and usage instructions, noting any deficiencies. Furthermore, each thorough examination must include dates for its conduct, as well as evidence from previous examinations.
Although not required by all businesses, LOLER inspections can save lives and extend the lifespan of equipment by ensuring it remains in good working order; this helps lower repair bills while creating a culture of workplace safety from the top down.
Selecting the right equipment
LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) laws aim to decrease any risks to people’s health and safety that arise from lifting equipment such as cranes on construction sites, passenger lifts in office buildings, refuse collection vehicles, and even escalators. LOLER inspections should take place every six to twelve months, depending on the industry type and machinery involved.
Inspections require testing all aspects of machinery to make sure everything is operating as expected, known as a thorough examination. A competent person (either one of your staff or a third-party contractor) should perform this task. However, any competent individual tasked with regular maintenance should not also perform inspections, as this could lead to potential errors being missed when inspecting non-obvious defects that are not immediately evident.
Completing a risk assessment before using any equipment is crucial to identify potential hazards and plan accordingly. This may range from simple plans for basic catering lifts to complex assessments of cranes used to transport heavy loads; any results should then be compared against their maintenance record to ensure everything lines up perfectly.
During each inspection, you must record and report any defects or issues to both the equipment users and its enforcer (HSE in industrial workplaces or local authorities in other workplaces). Once equipment has been fully examined, be sure to note when its next examination date is so you don’t forget this important procedure on time.
The location of your equipment
Make sure that the equipment used for lifting operations is located in a safe and accessible space to ensure that a person conducting pre-use checks can detect any faults or defects before use.
This course examines the risks that must be considered when selecting, planning, and conducting lifting operations and inspecting equipment. Furthermore, it reviews how those involved with or near lifting operations or equipment have to take responsibility for meeting regulation standards to prevent injuries from occurring and meet regulation standards themselves.
This course will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), and how careful planning, secure work system implementation, expert supervision, and comprehensive examination can make working life safer for those using, supervising, or operating lifting equipment.
As its name implies, LOLER applies to work equipment used for lifting or lowering loads, including accessories that accompany these pieces of equipment like slings, ropes, and chains. These regulations will apply whether the equipment belongs to an individual, company, or government institution and even when it is not being utilised by employees.
Regulations require that all equipment undergo a comprehensive examination every six or 12 months by an expert with sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge, which enables them to identify any defects that could compromise the safety of the equipment. This person should not also provide routine maintenance for it.
Maintenance of lifting equipment
At least annually, all your lifting equipment should undergo a thorough examination and inspection for compliance with LOLER regulations; this includes support equipment (anchors and hooks) as well as runways. Also covered under these regulations are pallet trucks, escalators, and moving walkways.
These inspections must be conducted by a ‘competent person’ with both theoretical and practical experience in order to recognise defects on equipment they inspect, assess their likelihood of causing harm to employees and customers using this equipment and document their findings before reporting back to those responsible for that piece of machinery.
Competent persons must plan and ensure adequate supervision for any required lifting operations. Furthermore, they must make sure the lifting operation is proportionate to any risks it might present and make necessary changes to their workplace or work area in order to mitigate those risks. Finally, they should be able to explain any risk assessments they have undertaken and how they are managed.
These requirements are essential for those operating and using lifting equipment in their work, so it’s crucial that you understand what LOLER requires. To gain a deeper insight into this legislation and how it affects daily duties, High Speed Training offers an accredited training course that lasts around an hour and provides digital certificates immediately, with printed versions being sent out the next working day. Visit their website to find out more about this course!