Lifting equipment

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 aim to ensure that all lifting operations are properly planned, that lifting equipment is used safely and that, where necessary, lifting equipment is thoroughly examined at suitable intervals by a competent person.

Properly plan and organise the lift, using appropriate equipment and competent people, to minimise the risks. Make sure that:

• a competent person thoroughly examines all lifting equipment (and tests it if necessary) Independent inspection organisations, including insurance companies, can help;
• safe working loads (SWLs) are marked on lifting equipment. Never exceed SWLs, or use damaged, makeshift or worn items;
• overload indicators on handling machines are in working order. Do not ignore them;
• lifting/loading operations are planned to minimise travel with loaders raised and carried out in a safe area away from power lines or other overhead obstructions. Whenever possible lower tractor fore-loaders for travel and keep telescopic handler booms retracted and lowered to maximise stability.

Never use grain buckets, pallets or other makeshift equipment for lifting people off the ground.

There is a need for examinations of lifting equipment along with the need for operator seat restraints to be fitted to such equipment where there is an increased risk of overturning.

Thorough examination

• Equipment which lifts loads over or close to people (eg fork-lift trucks and foreloaders on tractors without adequate operator protection) should be thoroughly examined at 12-month intervals.
• Equipment used for lifting people (eg mobile platforms or lift-trucks with attachments) needs to be examined every 6 months.

New equipment that is CE marked does not need thorough examination until 12 months after it is first used.

If no one is at risk from failure of the lifting equipment then a thorough examination may not be required. But this decision can only be justified after carrying out a suitable risk assessment - the responsibility is on the operator or employer. If you decide that a thorough examination is not required you will still need to ensure that the equipment is properly maintained in order for it to be safe.

When any lifting equipment which requires a thorough examination leaves or comes onto your farm or business, then a copy of its current thorough examination report should be available, eg if you hire a fork-lift for your own use or you lend yours to a neighbour.

A competent person making a thorough examination for you should notify you immediately of any defect which is or could become a danger to people. If you are notified of a defect you should ensure that the lifting equipment is not used before the defect is rectified or that it is rectified within the time specified in the competent person's report.

Operator seat restraints

Working with raised loads and attachments, especially on rough terrain or slopes, increases the risk of rollover and overturning. Operator seat restraints (seat belts or lap straps) will reduce the risk of injury if there is an overturn. They must be fitted to new and existing mobile equipment where there is a foreseeable risk of rollover and where the driver could be trapped between the roll frame or mast and the ground.

Further information

For further information, see:

• Agriculture Information Sheet AIS37 Operator seat restraints for mobile work equipment in agriculture and forestry
• Lifting equipment at work: A brief guide INDG 290
• Thorough examination of lifting equipment INDG 422