Thorough Examinations (LOLER) & Weight Tests

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)

B Conway Group is one of the largest providers in the UK for Tail Lift installations, repairs & routine maintenance tests. All of which fall under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).

Thorough Examinations (LOLER) are legally required to use lifting equipment and carry out lifting operations, based on a schedule:

6 months, for lifting equipment and any associated accessories used to lift people
6 months, for all lifting accessories
12 months, for all other lifting equipment

What is a “Thorough Examination”?

This is a systematic and detailed 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 link to external website, 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.

Learn More about Thorough Examinations under LOLER.

Health and Safety Executive

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It prevents work-related death, injury and ill health. HSE is also contributing to cross-government work being coordinated by the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) to prepare the United Kingdom (UK) for exit from the EU.

HSE is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Learn More about The health and Safety Executive.

Weight Tests

Whilst this is not a legal requirement, all tail lift manufacturers recommend at least one weight test per year, and also after a tail lift has had major work undertaken. This helps determine that the tail lift can actually lift the weight that it was designed to.

If a weight test is not undertaken annually, then issues may appear in the LOLER thorough examination, incurring more required repairs & maintenance work.

If a tail lift cannot lift it’s intended weight, then it can put strain on other components. If a tail lift can lift more than it is designed to lift then you are very likely to do some serious damage to the tail lift as well as risk the safety of the person operating the tail lift. Aim for at least one weight test per year. Weight tests can be included as part of a tail lift service or a LOLER thorough Examination.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations

These Regulations, often abbreviated to PUWER, place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over work equipment. PUWER also places responsibilities on businesses and organisations whose employees use work equipment, whether owned by them or not.

PUWER requires that equipment provided for use at work is:

Suitable for the intended use
Safe for use, maintained in a safe condition and inspected to ensure it is correctly installed and does not subsequently deteriorate
Used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training
Accompanied by suitable health and safety measures, such as protective devices and controls. These will normally include emergency stop devices, adequate means of isolation from sources of energy, clearly visible markings and warning devices
Used in accordance with specific requirements, for mobile work equipment and power presses

Some work equipment is subject to other health and safety legislation in addition to PUWER. For example, lifting equipment must also meet the requirements of LOLER, pressure equipment must meet the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations and personal protective equipment must meet the PPE Regulations PDF.

Learn More about the Provision of Use of Work Equipment Regulations.