Page 27 - BOSS Today Issue 39

he Lifting Operations n Slings, shackles and who is normally acting within the organisation
T& Lifting Equipment eyebolts should be on the behalf of your who is responsible for
Regulations (LOLER) 1998 tested every six months insurance provider. lifting equipment and its
cover the specific hazards Qualified agents will usage is also responsible
and risks associated Testing should notify the business of for the maintenance/
with lifting equipment be conducted more Safe Working Loads (SWL) examination schedule and
and lifting operations. frequently if any on all lifting equipment. the register for audit by
An Approved Code of doubt exists as to From this, the business any interested parties.
Practice (ACOP) ‘Safe Use whether the condition must ensure that the Users of lifting
of Lifting Equipment’ of the equipment SWL is marked on the equipment are responsible
supports LOLER and has deteriorated. relevant equipment. Staff for reporting any faulty
HSE Guidance notes. Many businesses should also be given equipment and/or misuse
Under LOLER, there utilise equipment to instruction regarding the of equipment to a member
is an absolute duty on lift persons to carry SWL, and this information of the management
employers and others out certain working should be included in team, who should ensure
to undertake lifting operations, and these any Safe System of Work that the equipment in
operations safely. The include cherry pickers, relating to the operation question is withdrawn
law contains specific scissor lifts and cages being undertaken. from use and quarantined
requirements for the lifted by forklift trucks. The business must to avoid further use
maintenance, testing and Employers must ensure produce a register of all until it is disposed of or
thorough examination that the equipment used lifting gear inspected repaired. Following any
of the following in the lifting of persons by the agent. Registers repair, the equipment
lifting equipment by a is designed to prevent should include a unique must be re-tested and re-
competent person: the person from being identification number examined/re-certificated
n Lifting chains and crushed, trapped or struck relating to each item and prior to being put back
ropes should be tested by any fixed or moveable its inspection history. All into the workplace.
every six months objects and from falling newly-acquired lifting
n Lifts/hoists should from the cradle. equipment should carry n IF YOU HAVE
be tested every The minimum standard a test certificate provided ANY CONCERNS OR
six months for the business owning with the equipment by the QUERIES RELATING TO
n Forklift trucks (all the equipment is to supplier. The examining THE USE OF LIFTING
variants) should be have the inspection, agent must be notified EQUIPMENT, CONTACT
tested at a minimum identification and so that a register number YOUR REGIONAL
of every 12 months recording of lifting gear can be allocated and the BOSS HS&E ADVISER
n Cranes should be conducted by a qualified item added to the register. OR VISIT WWW.
tested every 12 months agent (competent person), The appointed person BRITISHPRINT.COM/HSE

April/May 2018 | BOSS TODAY 27