LIFTING OPERATIONS AND LIFTING EQUIPMENT

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

These Regulations place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over lifting equipment, whether the equipment is owned by them or not. In most cases lifting equipment is also work equipment so the PUWER will also apply.

All lifting operations involving lifting equipment must be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.

The Regulations require that all equipment used for lifting is fit for purpose, appropriate for the task, suitably marked and subject to thorough examination.

Records must be kept of all examinations and any defects found must be reported. You are entitled to see those records in your case.

When undertaking lifting operations involving lifting equipment your employer must:

• plan them properly
• use people who are sufficiently competent
• supervise them appropriately
• ensure that operations are carried out in a safe manner.

Most lifting equipment and lifting accessories will fall within the scope of the Machinery Directive.

What is a lifting operation?

An operation concerned with the lifting or lowering of a load. A “load” is the item or items being lifted, which includes a person or people.

If you have been injured at work using lifting equipment or in a lifting operation we can help you direct your claim properly. Feel free to call us to discuss or click on the “Enquiry” button and we will get back to you today.