LOLER
LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) relates to safety in the use of lifting equipment at work.
What is LOLER?
LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) relates to the use of lifting equipment and aims to reduce risks to people’s health and safety from lifting equipment provided for use at work. To some extent it overlaps PUWER (see below) but does not contradict it.
LOLER is applicable to employers or self-employed persons providing lifting equipment for use at work, or control the use of lifting equipment at work. The duty holder will normally be the building occupant.
Platform Lifts: LOLER or PUWER?
PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) relates to the testing and use of any equipment at work, which is a more general regulation.
“The use of work equipment is also very widely interpreted and ‘…means any activity involving work equipment and includes starting, stopping, programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing and cleaning’.”
Lifting platforms are governed by LOLER regulations, which offer more specific and relevant requirements – however, if a lifting platform falls within the scope of PUWER then the full regulation must be applied.
For more information around LOLER, PUWER and lifting equipment, please see the government HSE website here.
Platform Lift Requirements for LOLER
Basically the lift must be suitable for use, used properly, and given official inspection every 6 months.
What Does LOLER Cover?
LOLER regulations cover a wide range of lifting items:
What is Excluded from LOLER?
Items which are covered by more specific legislation are not covered by LOLER regulations – for example, escalators and conventional lifts are covered by the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 when used by employees, teachers, welfare staff, shop assistants and nurses, so are not under LOLER requirements.
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