Reduce risk and maintain compliance with our specialist risk management services.
We’re proud to be a leading provider of complete life cycle risk management solutions. From ensuring asset safety and legal compliance with our thorough engineering inspections to driving operational efficiency with our specialist non-destructive testing services, (and much more in between), we’re proud of the long-lasting partnerships we have formed with our customers over the last 160 years, based on the value of our solutions.
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) Inspections
Ensuring safety compliance and equipment integrity
Don’t take risks with your critical machinery – keep your people safe and site compliant with BES Group.
Keeping people safe with our expert LOLER inspections
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) are a statutory requirement that places a duty on people and companies who own, operate, or have control of lifting equipment to ensure their lifting equipment is fit and safe for use.
A LOLER Inspection is, as set out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a “thorough examination of lifting equipment by a qualified or ‘competent’ person.” It’s a legal obligation and for those who aren’t up to date on it, you could face hefty penalties.
LOLER plays a vital role in ensuring that the right equipment is chosen for the job, that machinery is properly maintained and that, by having thorough exams, the risks associated with the machine failing and injuring someone are minimised.
Ensure the safety of your workforce and maintain compliance on your site with BES Group - safeguarding your machinery has never been easier!
Get in touch today! Get in touch today! Get in touch today!How we work with you
1. Visual inspections
Our visual inspections are conducted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that no visible defects, such as cracks, dents, corrosion, or missing components, go unnoticed.
Our engineers scrutinise every aspect of your lifting equipment, from the lifting beams and hoists to the shackles, chains, and hooks, ensuring that no potential hazards remain undetected.
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2. Functional checks
Beyond the visual inspection, our engineers meticulously assess the functional integrity of your lifting equipment.
This involves testing the brakes, gears, hoists, and other critical components to ensure they operate as intended. We also verify the proper functioning of safety devices, such as overload alarms and load indicators, to safeguard against overloading and other potential hazards.
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3. Measurements
To ensure that your lifting equipment operates within the specified parameters, our engineers take precise measurements of key factors, such as load capacity, clearances, and alignment.
This not only verifies compliance with manufacturer’s specifications but also optimises the performance and safety of your equipment.
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4. Advanced testing
While visual inspections and functional checks form the foundation of our LOLER inspections, we also utilise advanced NDT techniques when necessary.
These techniques, such as ultrasonic testing and X-ray testing, enable us to detect hidden defects that may not be apparent from visual inspections. This proactive approach ensures that even the most subtle flaws are identified early on, preventing potential failures and ensuring the continued safety of your lifting equipment.
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5. Documentation review
Our thorough inspection process goes beyond the physical examination of your lifting equipment.
We also scrutinise relevant documentation, including manufacturer’s manuals, inspection reports, and maintenance records. This comprehensive review enables us to gain a holistic understanding of the equipment’s history, maintenance practices, and overall condition.
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FAQs
Where does LOLER apply?
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Subject to the provisions of regulation 3, LOLER applies to all workplaces and work situations where the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act) applies and extends beyond the mainland of Great Britain to specified offshore areas and activities. Ships in UK waters must comply with MCA-LOLER.
Common examples of lifting equipment include cranes, forklift trucks, fore end loaders, telescopic handlers, lifts, hoists, mobile elevating work platforms, and vehicle inspection platform hoists. Lifting accessories such as chains, slings, and eye bolts also fall under LOLER.
How often should LOLER testing be done?
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Depending on the equipment, LOLER inspections should usually be carried out every 6 to 12 months.
6 months for lifting equipment and any accessories used to lift people
6 months for all lifting accessories
12 months for all other lifting equipment
If there have been exceptional circumstances, such as damage or failure, being out of use for lengthy periods of time, or major changes like modifications or replacements of critical parts, you should have the equipment inspected as soon as possible to check it’s still operating as it should.
Who can conduct a LOLER inspection?
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According to the LOLER regs:
“You should ensure that the person carrying out a thorough examination has such appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the lifting equipment to be thoroughly examined as will enable them to detect defects or weaknesses and to assess their importance in relation to the safety and continued use of the lifting equipment.”
This means that lifting equipment inspections should only be carried out by those with the right experience, knowledge, and training to thoroughly understand what they are looking for. Our team of specialist engineer surveyors are trained to the highest standards and have the know-how to ensure your lifting equipment and machinery are operational and compliant with the standards they need to be. Our team of specialist surveyors have the qualifications and expertise to keep your machinery compliant and people safe.
How many types of inspection are needed for lifting equipment?
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Thorough examinations of lifting equipment depend on the professional judgement of the competent person undertaking the examination but need to include all matters that affect the lifting equipment’s safety, including likely deterioration with time.
During the inspection, the examiner will check the basic function of the machine, keeping an eye out for wear and tear. Measurements of wear, if found, will be taken from the equipment and reported for future action. Then, the equipment will be load tested to ensure it conforms to industry standards and is not being overburdened.
The ramifications of not staying on top of your inspections can lead to a whole host of consequences down the line. Put simply, making sure your lifting equipment is operational, compliant, and safe for use can be a matter of life or death.
Our team of the very best engineer surveyors have set the industry standard and are on hand to make sure your machinery and equipment are operating as they should be, and as always, to keep you from harm’s way. What’s more, we’ll do this with minimum disruption to your business
What types of equipment does LOLER apply to?
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LOLER applies to all types of lifting equipment that’s used in the workplace. Covering both equipment and accessories, here’s just some of the lifting equipment that falls under this regulation:
Cranes
Mobile cranes, tower cranes, overhead cranes
Forklifts
Industrial trucks used for lifting and moving loads
Hoists
Lifting devices such as: electric hoists, manual hoists
Elevators and lifts
Vertical lifting devices such as: passenger lifts and goods lifts
Lifting platforms
Lifts used for working at height such as: access platforms, cherry pickers, telehandlers and scissor lifts
Winches
Power driven winches used for lifting and pulling operations
Vehicle-mounted lifting equipment
Mechanisms installed on vehicles like cranes
Lifting attachments
Attachments used for lifting and moving loads such as: lifting beams, spreader bars
Stacking equipment
Trucks used for stacking and lifting loads such as: stacker trucks, pallet trucks.
Key benefits of ensuring compliance to LOLER
Increased safety
LOLER inspections can help to identify and correct potential hazards, contributing to preventing accidents.
Reduced downtime
By identifying and correcting potential problems before they cause a failure, lifting inspections can help to reduce downtime.
Increased productivity
By ensuring that lifting equipment is operating safely and efficiently, LOLER inspections can help to increase productivity.
Reduced liability
By complying with LOLER, businesses can reduce their liability in the event of an accident.
Increased safety
LOLER inspections can help to identify and correct potential hazards, contributing to preventing accidents.
Reduced downtime
By identifying and correcting potential problems before they cause a failure, lifting inspections can help to reduce downtime.
Increased productivity
By ensuring that lifting equipment is operating safely and efficiently, LOLER inspections can help to increase productivity.
Reduced liability
By complying with LOLER, businesses can reduce their liability in the event of an accident.
Did you know...
13,940
workers were impacted by work injuries in the UK in 2021/22 as a result of lifting accidents, according to the HSE.
20%
of lifting accidents could be prevented by regular lifting inspections, the HSE estimates.
£250,000
in fines was charged by the HSE to a coach company in Wrexham for failing to have their lifting equipment inspected.
Why choose us
Expert Industrial Knowledge
With over 160 years’ experience in engineering compliance, trust in us to meet all your site requirements.
We’re Independent and impartial
Without favour or profit from recommended repairs, you can rest assured that you’ll only ever be getting the solution that’s right for you.
We’re Highly Qualified
Our Engineers Surveyors meet a minimum required standard of competence (required experience of 5 years)
Commitment to Excellence
Our engineer surveyors regularly carry out audits of on-site inspections, ensuring each and every solution we provide meets the most stringent quality standards.
Accredited Service
We’re a ‘Type A’ organisation, and are accredited to the highest industry standards, including ISO/IEC 17020. With us, you’ll receive a nationally recognised service.
Hear what our customers have to say
We care about the journey we take our customers on, but it’s not our word you should be taking, see what our customers think of the service we provided!
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The industry requires competence to be demonstrated, typically through UKAS accreditation, which is a prerequisite for many major clients. BES is type A accredited, which is preferred, they can provide highly objective opinions.
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Customer
Senior Project Manager
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The BES inspectors are way more technically competent and diligent compared to other providers. I previously used Allianz, and BES definitely stands out due to their strong technical competence and strong back office support.
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Customer
Project Operations Manager
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BES is a really disruptive force in the market, they are able to provide a variety of necessary services to their customers and none of the other big players are able to provide that breadth of services.
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Industry competitor
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We have been with BES for the past 5 years and don’t plan on switching providers. They are very flexible with their services and are able to bring the best inspectors who can deal with on the ground challenges and build real relationships with clients.
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Customer
Global Technical Services Manager
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