A competent person has the practical and theoretical knowledge of the equipment, plus enough experience to spot faults and judge whether the equipment is safe to use. They must also be independent enough to give an honest verdict, free from pressure and free from any interest in the outcome.
A LOLER certificate is the record of a thorough examination carried out under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. A competent person examines the equipment, then issues the certificate to confirm it has been checked.
A failed LOLER inspection means the equipment is no longer safe to use. It must be taken out of service straight away. From that point, the duty holder is responsible for the next steps. Get the Report of Thorough Examination. Decide whether to repair or replace. Keep the job moving with a certified replacement. Update the records. In serious cases, the HSE may need to be notified.
If a piece of equipment lifts a load, both LOLER and PUWER apply. Treating them as a single duty is what creates the gaps that audits find. Treating them as separate, deliberate streams of work is what closes those gaps for good.
This guide covers the 6 month rule. What counts as a lifting accessory. What an examiner checks. And how to make sure your records do not have the blind spot that catches everyone out. If you are new to LOLER, our LOLER inspection guide is the place to start.
This guide covers the five faults that most often cause a chain block to fail. For each one, we explain why it fails and how to spot it during a normal pre-use check. Whether you do the lifting or you carry the compliance, these are the things to watch for.
In any industry that involves lifting, from construction and facilities management to
manufacturing and logistics, these inspections help prevent accidents, protect workers, and ensure that equipment operates safely and efficiently.
In the demanding worlds of construction, demolition, and the lifting industry, safety isn’t just a buzzword, it’s paramount. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, universally known as LOLER, are the cornerstone of ensuring that all…
