LOLER REGULATIONS

Keeping All Safe

Keeping patients, residents, staff, and students safe is always a constant concern in the care industry. Ensuring that servicing and LOLER inspections are kept up to date minimizes any potential safety risks and can reduce the chance of any unwanted breakdowns. Having the correct certificates for the equipment gives peace of mind to any organization should there be any inspections from government regulatory representatives.

Under the LOLER 1998 regulations, hoists and lifting accessories must be serviced and inspected every six months.

What are LOLER regulations?

What equipment requires LOLER Inspections?

LOLER regulations (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Requirements, 1998) aim to ensure that all lifting equipment and lifting accessories in the workplace are used safely and appropriately.

The regulations state that all lifting equipment should have suitable strength and stability for its designed use. LOLER also states that the Safe Working Load (SWL) and maintenance dates must be visible on the equipment and any faults must be reported immediately.

LOLER is implemented to prevent the risk of injuries or fatalities that may occur from the use of lifting equipment within the care environment.

Thorough LOLER tests should be conducted at least every 6 months on all lifting equipment and any accessories used to lift persons. Accessories cover items such as slings, which are necessary to complete the lift. It is advised that daily routine checks are carried out before any lifting equipment is used. Any faults or defects should be reported immediately and the equipment should not be used until a specialist has conducted a thorough inspection.

Here are some examples of lifting equipment that requires testing under LOLER regulations.

Mobile hoists (Full body hoists)
Ceiling hoists
Stairlifts
Standing/raising aids
Slings (lifting accessory)
Hoist weighing bar (lifting accessory)
Assisted baths, bath hoists/lifts (Known as ‘floor mounted hoists’ which are used to lift and lower a person into their bath)
Passenger lifts

Who do LOLER regulations apply to?

Persons who have a responsibility, either directly or indirectly, for the lifting equipment and its use.

This includes employers who have responsibility for the health and safety of their staff as well as the condition of the equipment that they use.

Employees may have specific responsibility for the equipment that they use. They also have a responsibility to use the equipment safely and to report anything that they perceive to be a risk.
The self-employed also have responsibilities for themselves and for others depending on the nature of their role.

Further information about hoisting can be found following these links:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsis3.pdf

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsis4.pdf