Ensuring the safety and compliance of your crane operations is paramount, and this begins with understanding what a LOLER inspection entails and what checks are made during the test. We’ve created a LOLER inspection checklist to help duty holders and anyone who owns, operates, or controls lifting equipment manage their safety checks more efficiently. Between LOLER tests, this LOLER checklist for cranes will help you stay compliant and safe in your lifting operations.
What does LOLER stand for?
The acronym LOLER stands for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations which are health and safety regulations first implemented in 1998. The purpose is to enlist a duty on people and companies who own, operate or control lifting equipment such as cranes, hoists and any safety lifting gear. All lifting equipment must be fit for purpose, appropriate for the task, and suitably marked, which is checked during a LOLER inspection and proved by receiving a LOLER certificate after passing the inspection.
How often should a crane be inspected?
LOLER inspection frequency depends on the type of equipment, but as a general rule of thumb, your cranes should be inspected at least every 12 months, depending on the type of crane and its intended use. For example, should you have a crane that is designed to lift people in any way, it will need to be LOLER inspected more frequently (every 6 months). If you’re unsure about the required frequency of your crane LOLER inspections, we can help.
Your cranes should also undergo a thorough examination:
- before first-time use
- when installing, or re-installing / assembling at another site
- when exposed to adverse conditions that could cause deterioration (weather, environment, collisions etc.), liable to result in danger
- after any damage and repairs
What are the LOLER regulations for cranes?
A crane LOLER inspection will fundamentally examine how well the crane works, and whether it’s fit for purpose and safe for use. LOLER inspections look at how often the crane will be used; where it will be used; what the nature and characteristics of the intended load are; and what the safe working load for the crane is. In most cases, cranes will also need to conform to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) which will be considered during LOLER inspections. Its important to understand the differences between PUWER and LOLER for your operations.
The LOLER Inspection Checklist:
Follow this LOLER inspection checklist to see if your crane would likely pass a LOLER inspection and meets compliance standards. If your crane ticks all of these boxes, it’s off to a promising start! Remember, an official LOLER test must be completed by a qualified LOLER inspector or competent person.
Suitability of lifting equipment:
🗹 Has the equipment been ergonomically designed with the operator’s comfort and usability in mind?
🗹 Is the equipment appropriate for the intended task?
🗹 Has a PUWER risk assessment been conducted for the equipment?
🗹 Are equipment materials suitable for the anticipated operating conditions?
Positioning and installing:
🗹 Has the equipment been installed or positioned to minimise the need for lifting or suspending loads above people?
🗹 When the equipment moves along a fixed path, is the load/equipment safeguarded by an appropriate enclosure?
🗹 Have measures been taken to close off access to trapping points, or preferably, prevent trapping points altogether?
🗹 Does the site provide sufficient headroom for safe access and egress during equipment positioning and installation?
🗹 Are precautions in place to prevent the equipment from overturning during operations?
🗹 Have steps been taken to prevent the risk of collision between equipment or loads when multiple lifting devices are in close proximity?
🗹 Have appropriate barriers or gates (at least 2m in height) been installed to deter unauthorised access to lifting operation sites?
🗹 Has a 6m exclusion zone been established in areas where there’s a potential risk of someone being struck while working near a crane’s wheel tracks?
🗹 Have potential proximity hazards such as nearby buildings and structures been considered?
🗹 In cases where the operator cannot have a full view of the path during equipment positioning, is there a designated banksman to provide guidance?
Strength and stability:
🗹 Can the equipment handle the load as specified in the Safe Working Load?
🗹 Are precautions in place to prevent individuals from falling down shafts or hoistways?
🗹 Has the environment, including factors like sloped surfaces, uneven terrain, and weather conditions, been considered?
🗹 Is the equipment stable, and are precautions in place to prevent destabilisation, especially in conditions that may compromise stability, such as uneven terrain?
🗹 Have the mounting or fixing points been considered in the equipment’s setup?
🗹 Is dragging of loads prohibited when it could lead to damage or overturning of the equipment?
Organisation of lifting operations:
🗹 Is there a comprehensive pre-planning of all lifting operations and crane activity?
🗹 Does the plan encompass responsibilities, required resources, and actions to be taken in case of adverse conditions such as high winds or significantly reduced visibility?
🗹 Is the competent person knowledgeable about derating equipment when required?
🗹 Are there established signals and/or verbal communication between individuals participating in the operation?
🗹 Has a system been implemented to ensure the safe lifting and handling of loads with unknown weights?
🗹 During equipment testing, such as overloading, is the surrounding area clear, and are only the essential workers present?
🗹 Is there appropriate supervision for all lifting operations?
Marking lifting equipment:
🗹 Has the safe working load for each equipment configuration been clearly marked or labelled in a visible location?
🗹 Are accessories, kept separate from their equipment, marked or labelled to indicate which equipment they are intended for?
Equipment for lifting people:
🗹 Is the equipment used for lifting people clearly labelled to indicate its purpose, the maximum number of people it can carry, and the safe working load?
🗹 Does the person being lifted have an appropriate means of communication with the operator or others involved in the operation?
🗹 In case of an emergency or failure, is there a suitable and reliable means of rescue in place?
🗹 Is the platform or hoist of sufficient size and strength to accommodate the individuals who will be using them?
🗹 Are additional precautions implemented, as needed, to ensure the safety of individuals being lifted, such as the use of harnesses?
🗹 Where needed (typically if fall areas exceed 2m), is edge protection, such as gates and barriers that open inward, provided?
🗹 If lifting accessories and/or their configuration could impact the safe working load of equipment, is this information marked or labelled clearly?
Attaching, detaching, and securing loads:
🗹 Are the lifting accessories used compatible with the load they are intended for?
🗹 Before commencing lifting operations, is the centre of gravity of the load determined?
🗹 Are slings safeguarded from damage caused by sharp edges through the use of appropriate packaging?
🗹 During operations, are measures taken to prevent suspended loads from swinging and swaying excessively?
🗹 Does the operator wait for approval before starting lifting operations once the load handler has attached or detached a load?
🗹 Are extra precautions implemented to secure loads that might break apart, for example, a pallet of bricks secured in plastic sheeting?
Suspended loads:
🗹 Have operations that involve suspending loads above people been reorganised or prevented to avoid putting people at risk?
🗹 Is access to the zone where loads are left suspended between lifting operations prevented?
Storage:
🗹 Is the storage environment for lifting equipment and accessories suitable to prevent deterioration over time?
🗹 If a specific area is regularly used for lifting operations, is it marked, for example, with a yellow hatched box, to prevent storage of materials in that area?
Book a LOLER Inspection
Now you’ve got our LOLER inspection checklist to hand, it’s time to check when your next LOLER test is due. If you need to book a LOLER inspection for your crane or lifting equipment in the next 12 months, get a free quote from us today and speak with one of our experienced engineers about the examination. Or drop us an email at enquiries@bramleyengineering.co.uk for more information.
