To keep agricultural operations safe, the UK law enforces LOLER regulations which set guidelines that help prevent accidents and protect workers and businesses from injuries and costly damages. LOLER in agriculture and farming is fundamental to ensuring safety, especially when lifting equipment and machinery are used to handle heavy loads.
What are LOLER regulations?
LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) are UK regulations designed to ensure the safe use of lifting equipment in workplaces. These are particularly important for farmers and any business operating within the agricultural sector as they ensure all lifting operations are properly planned, supervised, and executed by trained individuals using safe working equipment to minimise risks. Complying with LOLER also helps ensure lifting equipment’s integrity and reliability as the regulations mandate regular inspections and maintenance.
What is lifting equipment in agriculture?
In the agricultural industry, lifting equipment refers to any machinery or device used to lift, lower, or move loads. This could be a piece of equipment or an accessory used to lift people or various types of materials, from hay bales to other machinery parts. Lifting equipment must be capable of handling loads within the specified weight safely, without stress or fault, and be maintained to prevent failure or accidents.
What farming equipment is covered by LOLER?
LOLER regulations apply to a wide range of farming equipment used for lifting purposes. Some common examples of agricultural lifting equipment that fall under LOLER include:
- Telehandlers (Telescopic Handlers): Machines used for lifting and moving loads around the farm, such as feed, hay bales, or pallets.
- Tractor-mounted Loaders: Attachments that can be fitted to tractors for lifting and transporting various items.
- Forklifts: Often used in farm warehouses or for loading and unloading goods.
- Cranes and Hoists: Used for lifting heavy equipment parts or aiding in repair tasks on site or used in farm workshops.
- Lifting Slings, Chains, and Ropes: Accessories used to secure and lift loads safely.
- Winches and Jacks: Used to lift or pull heavy machinery or vehicles.
Lifting equipment for lifting people
On farms, equipment like telehandlers or forklifts might occasionally be used to lift people to access high places or perform maintenance tasks. When lifting people, the equipment must be proof load tested and comply with stricter LOLER standards:
- Use of Man Cages or Platforms: If lifting people, a properly designed and secured man cage or platform must be used. The cage should be compatible with the lifting equipment and have safety features such as guard rails.
- Safety Mechanisms: Equipment used for lifting people should have secure attachment points and must prevent unintended movement or tipping.
- Supervision and Training: Operations involving lifting people require more planning and must be supervised by trained personnel. Operators and those being lifted must be aware of safety protocols and trained on the machinery.
How does LOLER apply to agriculture?
In agriculture, LOLER tests are essential to safeguard workers and maintain safe operations. Regular inspections are mandatory for agricultural lifting equipment and a thorough examination should be performed by a competent person frequently, every 6-12 months depending on the equipment.
Between inspections, maintenance routines must be established to keep equipment in good working order to prevent equipment failure and ensure safety. All inspections and assessments must be conducted by a competent person – someone with the necessary knowledge, training, and experience to identify potential hazards and issues with lifting equipment.
Here are further details on some key areas within farming where LOLER regulations should be upheld:
Positioning and installation
Proper positioning and installation of any lifting machinery and equipment are key to safe use on farms:
- Understand Ground Conditions: Agricultural environments are often based on uneven, muddy, or soft ground. In these conditions, the stability of lifting equipment can be compromised, so choosing the right location or improving the base for equipment use is essential.
- Allow Sufficient Space and Clearance: Before setting up equipment, check for adequate space around it and ensure there are no overhead obstructions, such as power lines or tree branches that could get caught during operation.
- Secure Installation: To prevent movement or tipping during use, equipment should be installed on stable, level surfaces, and any base supports must be secure.
Strength and stability regulations
LOLER mandates that all lifting equipment and accessories used in farming and agriculture must have adequate strength and stability to handle their intended tasks:
- Don’t Exceed the Safe Working Load (SWL): Operators should always follow the SWL marked on the equipment, considering the weight and distribution of the load and any potential for movement during lifting to avoid overloading the machine.
- Maintaining Load Distribution: Unevenly distributed or improperly secured loads can lead to instability. Loads should be well-balanced and evenly distributed before beginning lifting operations to maintain equipment stability and prevent rolls, tips, drops or breakage.
- Considering Environmental Factors: Weather conditions such as wind and rain should be assessed before work commences as they can significantly affect the stability of lifting equipment and loads.
Equipment marking and labelling
Clear marking and labelling are essential components of LOLER compliance:
- Displaying the Safe Working Load (SWL): Every piece of lifting equipment must have its SWL clearly displayed to help operators avoid exceeding the equipment’s capacity, reducing the risk of failure.
- ID Marking and Labels: Each piece of equipment should have a unique identifier, linking it to inspection and maintenance records. LOLER labels typically include the following information:
- The date of the inspection
- The name of the inspector
- The equipment’s status, such as “passed” or “failed”
- The company name and contact number
- Visible Instruction Labels: Labels that provide operational instructions, warnings, and usage limitations should be clear and legible. These labels ensure that operators are aware of the equipment’s correct use and any associated risks.
Agriculture lifting operations
Effective planning and execution of lifting operations are important to maintain compliance with LOLER in agriculture. Here’s how to get started:
- Start with a risk assessment to identify potential hazards. This assessment should consider the load weight, the condition of the lifting equipment, ground stability, and environmental factors. Identifying these risks beforehand allows for better planning and accident prevention.
- Planning the operation involves selecting appropriate lifting equipment, determining safe lifting paths, and preparing the site to minimise risks. Proper planning ensures that all aspects of the lifting operation are controlled and safe.
- Whilst operations are underway, supervision is necessary to monitor lifting operations. An experienced and trained supervisor should oversee the process, ensuring that all safety measures are followed.
Thorough examinations
Conducting thorough examinations is a key requirement of LOLER compliance in farming and agriculture. There a three main components of a thorough examination that must be followed to stay compliant:
- Examination and Inspection Frequency depends on the type of equipment and its usage. Equipment used for lifting people should be examined every six months. Other lifting equipment should undergo inspection at least every 12 months or after any incident that could affect its safety.
- Scope of Examination includes checking the condition of the entire lifting system, assessing the structural integrity, moving parts, and any accessories used. This level of detail helps identify and rectify potential issues before they lead to accidents.
- A Competent Person must carry out these examinations. This is an individual who should have adequate training, knowledge and experience to conduct a thorough assessment, ensuring the safety and reliability of the lifting equipment.
LOLER test reports and record-keeping
Accurate record-keeping in line with requirements is a legal obligation under LOLER and is vital for maintaining safety standards. After each examination, a LOLER test report must be generated and stored for future reference. This report should detail the equipment’s condition, any defects found, and the corrective actions taken and should be kept for at least two years or until the next report is made. Keeping these records accessible ensures a history of compliance and maintenance is readily available. To ensure compliance, all reports and records should be available for inspection by relevant authorities upon request, such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
LOLER Services by Bramley Engineering
At Bramley Engineering, we offer extensive LOLER tests and repair services for all your equipment needs across a wide range of industries including agriculture. We have a team of accredited, skilled and highly trained LOLER inspectors on hand to schedule your tests around your business operations.
We offer comprehensive LOLER inspections, providing a thorough examination of equipment, and offering advice and recommendations to help you meet all safety standards and ensure business compliance. Our experienced team of professionals will take the time to understand your specific requirements and provide you with the best possible service. Leave the hassle of remembering due dates, storing reports and organising inspections to us and benefit from our:
- Flexible bookings
- Email reminders for when your LOLER inspections are due
- Secure online storage for all records
- Easy scheduling and notifications
Get your free LOLER inspection quote today
Get your free quote by filling out our quote request form. Or to find out how we can help your business stay LOLER-compliant, drop us a message at enquiries@bramleyengineering.co.uk or call us on 01525 375225 and we’ll talk through your needs.
