LOLER Regulations

What does LOLER stand for ?

LOLER is an abbreviation of Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It is often referred to as the LOLER regs or LOLER 98 regulations. The LOLER regulations came into force on 5 December 1998. 

What is LOLER? 

LOLER replaced existing legal requirements relating to the use of lifting equipment, for example the Construction (Lifting Operations) Regulations 1961, the Lifting Plant and Equipment (Records of Test and Examination etc) Regulations 1992 and the Docks Regulations 1988. Many aspects of LOLER should therefore be familiar to you. 

The LOLER Regulations aim to reduce risks to people’s health and safety from lifting equipment provided for use at work. In addition to the requirements of LOLER, lifting equipment is also subject to the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) 

What items require inspection or thorough examination under LOLER? 

A LOLER thorough examination (LOLER regulation 9) must be completed on all lifting equipment to comply with LOLER. The LOLER definition of Lifting equipment includes any equipment used at work for lifting or lowering loads, including attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it. The LOLER Regulations cover a wide range of equipment including, cranes, fork-lift trucks, lifts, hoists, mobile elevating work platforms, and vehicle inspection platform hoists. The definition also includes lifting accessories such as chains, slings, eye bolts etc. LOLER does not apply to escalators, these are covered by more specific legislation, i.e. the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. A full list of items requiring LOLER examination. 

What does LOLER do? 

Generally, the LOLER Lifting Regulations require that lifting equipment provided for use at work is: 

- Positioned and installed to minimise any risks;
- Strong and stable enough for the particular use and marked to indicate safe working loads; 

Used safely, i.e. the work is planned, organised and performed by competent people; and subject to ongoing thorough examination and, where appropriate, inspection by competent people