Regular LOLER inspections are a legal requirement and are essential to maintaining workplace safety. However, many businesses face common equipment failures during these inspections, which can lead to legal implications, penalties, costly repairs, or interruption operationally. Understanding the most common LOLER inspection failures and how to avoid them can help ensure your business remains compliant and safe.
We’re sharing the most common reasons for LOLER inspection failures and providing actionable advice on how to prevent them to avoid non-compliance with LOLER.
What are the most common LOLER inspection failures?
The key areas businesses tend to fall down on during a LOLER test are often easily avoidable. Here are the most common LOLER inspection failures:
- Missed Equipment: Make sure all lifting equipment and accessories under LOLER regulations are assessed and examined to stay compliant.
- Inadequate Record Keeping: Records of maintenance, inspections, and repairs should be kept for at least 2 years, and readily accessible.
- Overdue Inspections: LOLER inspections must be scheduled at required intervals (usually 6-12 months depending on equipment).
- Lack of Staff Training: Your team should receive comprehensive training for equipment operation and maintenance.
- Poor Maintenance: You should regularly maintain and repair equipment to avoid failures during inspections.
- Improper Labelling: All equipment must be properly marked with load limits and safety warnings.
- Misuse of equipment
Knowing these common problems can help you avoid failures in during test day. Read on for more information on these areas and proactive tips to avoid failing a LOLER test.
What equipment does LOLER apply to?
A common issue during LOLER examinations is failing to identify all lifting equipment that falls under the scope of LOLER. Businesses often overlook smaller or less frequently used equipment or don’t realise that accessories must be included in a LOLER test, such as chains, slings, or hooks. These items are subject to the same inspection requirements as larger machinery.
How to Avoid Missed Equipment:
- Conduct an Equipment Audit: Create an inventory of all lifting equipment and accessories, ensuring nothing is missed, including cranes, passenger lifts and elevators, hoists, forklifts, lifting beams, chains, and slings.
- Consult an Expert: If you’re unsure, seek guidance from a LOLER inspection service like Bramley Engineering to help identify all equipment that needs inspection.
We can help you understand the scope of your business’ LOLER requirements.
How to avoid LOLER failure from inadequate or incomplete record-keeping
An easy thing to fall down on during a LOLER test is poor record-keeping. LOLER requires businesses to maintain detailed records of equipment maintenance, previous inspections, and any repairs. You must be able to provide these records for your inspector on the inspection day. Missing, incomplete, or disorganised records can lead to test failure and non-compliance, even if the equipment is otherwise safe.
How to Avoid Inadequate Record-keeping:
- Maintain Detailed Records: Keep comprehensive records for each piece of equipment, including past LOLER inspection reports, repair logs, and maintenance details.
- Review Regularly: Make it a routine to review and renew these records to ensure they are complete and up-to-date.
- Store Securely: Ensure that records are easily accessible for both internal reviews and official inspections.
We provide our clients with a secure online database where we will store and allow you 24/7 access to your LOLER records in line with LOLER record-keeping requirements.
How often does a lifting device have to be inspected by law?
Failing to conduct LOLER inspections at the required intervals is a definite breach of compliance. LOLER regulations typically mandate inspections every 6 to 12 months, depending on the type of equipment. Many businesses fall behind on their inspection schedules, either due to oversight or operational pressures but this can cause serious implications.
How to Avoid Missing Inspection Due Dates:
- Set Automated Reminders: Use digital tools or maintenance management systems to schedule inspections in line with LOLER frequency requirements. We can do this for you!
- Partner with an Inspection Service: Work with a reputable, accredited LOLER inspection service that can help you manage the inspection schedule and ensure no deadlines are missed.
Choose Bramley Engineering as your LOLER service and receive ongoing reminder notifications every time your next LOLER test is due. Book a test easily and never fall behind.
Do employees have any specific duties under LOLER?
LOLER compliance isn’t just about the equipment; it’s also about the people operating it. Your staff have a duty to be safely operational, and your business has a duty to train them appropriately. A lack of proper staff training can lead to incorrect equipment use, which poses safety risks and increases the likelihood of equipment damage. During inspections, untrained operators may also be unable to properly explain or demonstrate how equipment is used when asked by an inspector, leading to potential failures.
How to Avoid Training Failures:
- Regular Operator Training: Staff must understand their equipment’s load limits, operating procedures, and emergency protocols.
- Refresher Courses: Periodically provide refresher training for staff to keep their knowledge up-to-date, especially when new equipment is introduced or regulations change.
Why is the maintenance of lifting equipment important?
Inspections frequently reveal equipment that has not been properly maintained. Worn-out parts, rust, and general disrepair can cause equipment to fail during a LOLER inspection. Even minor issues can lead to serious safety risks, non-compliance with LOLER, and costly repairs. Should your equipment fail, staff health is put at risk, operations are impacted, and legal implications could arise.
How to Avoid Poor Maintenance:
- Regular Maintenance: Implement a robust maintenance schedule that includes routine checks, cleaning, and servicing of all lifting equipment. Ensure that any wear and tear is addressed promptly before it leads to bigger issues.
- Pre-Inspection Checks: Conduct a thorough review of all equipment before the official LOLER inspection to identify and fix any potential problems ahead of the test.
- Rectify Past Defects: Ensure ALL defects previously highlighted on past LOLER tests have been rectified and fixed prior to inspection.
What must lifting equipment be marked with to pass a LOLER test?
LOLER requires that all lifting equipment is clearly marked with information such as safe working loads (SWL) and any necessary safety warnings. Missing, faded, or incorrect labels can result in failure during an inspection.
How to Avoid Improper Labelling:
- Check Labels Regularly
- Replace Worn Labels
- Ensure all signage is clean and visible
- Add a second label with safety information as a fail safe
Preventing LOLER inspection failures
Avoiding common LOLER inspection failures requires a proactive approach. By keeping accurate records, maintaining equipment, training staff, and preparing for inspections well in advance, your business should easily stay compliant with LOLER regulations and pass your next LOLER test.
At Bramley Engineering, we provide expert LOLER inspection services to help businesses stay compliant and safe. Contact us today to request a free LOLER inspection quote and ensure your lifting equipment is fully prepared for inspection.