Lifting Equipment Inspection

A Lifting Equipment Inspection (LOLER 1998) is a thorough examination of lifting equipment carried out at specific intervals. These inspections are to be carried out by a competent person who then must complete a written report.

The report was include ;

• Name and address of the employer and the premises where the Inspection takes place
• Identification and known date of manufacture of the Lifting Equipment
• Date of last Inspection
• The safe working load of the lifting equipment
• The interval in which the lifting equipment inspections must take place
• State any defects identified in the inspection of the lifting equipment
• The name, address and qualifications of the competent  person undertaking the inspection of the lifting equipment
• The date the inspection report was made

When Lloyds British International completes an Inspection and thorough examination we aim to implement a safer environment close contact with the lifting equipment but also ensures that the organisation remains compliant with LOLER 1998.

To verify that lifting equipment and accessories remain safe Lloyds British International use thorough examinations and inspections throughout the lifetime of Lifting Equipment and Lifting Accessories for an organisatio.

• Before first time use – If a piece of equipment has been assembled on site it must be examined and inspected by a competent person to ensure that the assembly of the lifting equipment has been done correctly. If lifting equipment has an EC declaration of conformity, less than a year  old and wasn’t assembled on site this is not applicable.
• After Assembly and Before use – For lifting equipment that required assembly of installation before use.
• Regularly whilst in use – If the lifting equipment is exposed to conditions where deterioration is expected. The majority of lifting equipment is subject to “wear and tear” so will need to receive a regular in service inspection. The two choices you have are ; Arrange for a thorough examination of the lifting equipment to be carried out at the specific intervals state in LOLER or conduct inspections in accordance with an examination scheme for the specific lifting equipment drawn up by a competent person.
• Following Exceptional Circumstances – Such things that are likely to impact the safety of the Lifting Equipment ; Damage, Out of use for long periods, modifications, replacements.

The scope of what is covered in the thorough examination and inspection of the lifting equipment depends on the judgement of the competent person undertaking it. However Lloyds British International endeavour to meet all needs to include all matters which will affect the safety of the lifting equipment for the customer.

For the common lifting equipment and accessories there are set industry procedures and criteria which a competent person would follow when undertaking the inspection. The standard methods of a thorough examination are as follows;

• Visual Inspection and Functional checks
• Measurements of wear
• In some case NDT ( non-destructive testing) and load testing may be required
• Sometimes disassembly or internal inspections may be applicable

In the case where there is not a examination scheme specifying other internals, thorough examination and inspection of lifting equipment according to LOLER 1998 should be carried out ;

• 6 months, for lifting equipment and associated accessories used to lift people (ie. Access Equipment, MEWPS)
• 6 months, for lifting accessories (ie. Chain Slings, Webbing Slings, shackles, eyebolts)
• 12 months, for all other lifting equipment (ie. Cranes and forklift trucks)

It is essential these time periods are followed to ensure lifting equipment is compliant with Lifting Operations and Lifting equipment regulations 1998 (LOLER). We here at Lloyds British International are here to manage you’re compliance to ensure your workforce and organisation remain compliant and safe.

A loler inspection and a Lifting Equipment inspection are the same thing! A lifting equipment inspection has many acronyms such LOLER Test, LOLER Inspection or  Third Party Inspections however all those sayings mean exactly the same thing. A Lifting Equipment Inspection by definition is –

The systematic and detailed thorough examination of the equipment and safety-critical parts, carried out at specified intervals by a competent person who must then complete a written report. This report must contain the information required by LOLER Schedule 1, including:

• the examination date
• the date when the next thorough examination is due
• any defects found which are (or could potentially become) a danger to people

Where serious defects are identified, the competent person carrying out the examination must immediately report this verbally to the dutyholder. This should then be followed by the written report, a copy of which must also be sent to the relevant enforcing authority.

For more information on what a loler inspection or lifting equipment inspection is please visit our news page.