Everything about L.O.L.E.R – Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations?

L.O.L.E.R is (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) S.I. 1998 No. 2307

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) is a set of regulations in the United Kingdom that aim to ensure the safety of lifting equipment and the lifting operations that use it. The regulations apply to a wide range of equipment, including cranes, hoists, lifts, and forklifts, as well as the lifting accessories and attachments used with them.

LOLER requires that all lifting equipment and lifting operations are thoroughly examined by a competent person at specified intervals, and that any defects or safety issues are reported and addressed promptly. It also requires that lifting equipment is installed, maintained, and used in a safe and appropriate manner, and that operators and other personnel involved in lifting operations receive adequate training and instruction.

The primary objectives of LOLER are to prevent accidents and injuries related to lifting equipment and lifting operations, to ensure that equipment is fit for purpose and properly maintained, and to promote the safe and effective use of lifting equipment in all industries and sectors.

Strength and stability

1. Every employer shall ensure that –
   • lifting equipment is of adequate strength and stability for each load, having regard in particular to the stress induced at its mounting or fixing point;
   • every part of a load and anything attached to it and used in lifting it is of adequate strength.

Marking of lifting equipment

1. Every employer shall ensure that –
2. subject to sub-paragraph (b), machinery and accessories for lifting loads are clearly marked to indicate their safe working loads;
3. where the safe working load of machinery for lifting loads depends on its configuration –
   • the machinery is clearly marked to indicate its safe working load for each configuration; or
   • information, which clearly indicates its safe working load for each configuration, is kept with the machinery;
   • accessories for lifting are also marked in such a way that it is possible to identify the characteristics necessary for their safe use;
   • lifting equipment which is designed for lifting persons is appropriately and clearly marked to this effect; and
   • lifting equipment which is not designed for lifting persons but which might be so used in error is appropriately and clearly marked to the effect that it is not designed for lifting persons.

Organization of lifting operations

1. Every employer shall ensure that every lifting operation involving lifting equipment is –
   • properly planned by a competent person;
   •  appropriately supervised; and
   • carried out in a safe manner.
2. In this regulation “lifting operation” means an operation concerned with the lifting or lowering of a load.

Thorough examination and inspection

1. Every employer shall ensure that before lifting equipment is put into service for the first time by him it is thoroughly examined for any defect unless either –
   • the lifting equipment has not been used before; and
   • in the case of lifting equipment for which an EC declaration of conformity could or (in the case of a declaration under the Lifts Regulations 1997) should have been drawn up, the employer has received such declaration made not more than 12 months before the lifting equipment is put into service;or, if obtained from the undertaking of another person, it is accompanied by physical evidence referred to in paragraph (4).
2. Every employer shall ensure that, where the safety of lifting equipment depends on the installation conditions, it is thoroughly examined –
   • after installation and before being put into service for the first time; and
   • 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.
3. Every employer shall ensure that lifting equipment, which is exposed to conditions causing deterioration, which is liable to result in dangerous situations, is –
   • thoroughly examined –
     • in the case of lifting equipment for lifting persons or an accessory for lifting, at least every 6 months;
     •  in the case of other lifting equipment, at least every 12 months; or
     •  in either case, in accordance with an examination scheme; and
     • each time that exceptional circumstances which are liable to jeopardize the safety of the lifting equipment have occurred; and
   • if appropriate for the purpose, is inspected by a competent person at suitable intervals between thorough examinations,to ensure that health and safety conditions are maintained and that any deterioration can be detected and remedied in good time.

In the UK, LOLER is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and non-compliance can result in fines, legal action, or even imprisonment in cases of serious breaches.