LOLER

LOLER stands for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It is UK legislation designed to ensure that all lifting operations and lifting equipment are safe to use.

• Lifting Operations: Any process of raising or lowering a load, including supporting it.
• Lifting Equipment: Machinery or gear used in lifting operations, such as cranes, hoists, forklifts, slings, and chains.

What is the Purpose of LOLER?

The main aim of LOLER is to protect people in workplaces where lifting equipment is used. It requires employers to take reasonable steps to:

• Ensure lifting equipment is strong ...

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that a LOLER inspection must be conducted by a "competent person" This ensures lifting equipment is safe to use, preventing accidents and maintaining legal compliance. Unlike routine maintenance, a thorough examination is a formal process requiring specific expertise.

A competent person is defined as someone who has:

• Sufficient Knowledge of the lifting equipment and LOLER regulations.
• Relevant experience in identifying defects and assessing risk.
• Independence to make impartial decisions about safety and compliance.

There is no official "LOLER lice...

If your role includes responsibility for work equipment in the workplace, then you will most likely be bowled over by the amount of legislation and regulations which exist to ensure you keep your work equipment safe (and your organisation avoiding HSE intervention!).

A common question is ‘What is the difference between PUWER & LOLER?’. Both sets of regulations are often referred to together because they do have some overlap. However, it is important to recognise that LOLER only applies to lifting equipment (e.g. a hoist, winch, crane and the lifting elements of other work equipment and accesso...