As well as governing the way in which we undertake lifting operations, there are requirements to ensure that all lifting equipment and their accessories are routinely inspected by a competent person, this is called thorough examination.

Departments that own lifting equipment, whether it is used for lifting goods or people, must ensure that their equipment is on the Estates Department statutory inspection register, such that it becomes incorporated into the statutory inspection regime that Estates manage on behalf of Procurement and Insurance Services. For more information, see Responsibilities.

Statutory Inspection Frequency

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) requires statutory inspection of lifting equipment and lifting accessories at the following frequencies:

Equipment Type	Frequency of Statutory Inspection
Equipment used to carry people (e.g. lifts, stairlifts, people hoists)	Every 6 months
Lifting accessories, e.g. eyebolts, shackles, wire ropes, lifting slings, magnetic and vacuum devices (used for lifting), pulley blocks and ropes for climbing or work positioning	Every 6 months
Equipment used to lift goods (anything other than people) e.g. motor vehicle lifts, fork lift trucks, vehicle tail lift, overhead crane, engine hoist,	Every 12 months

The only time when the above frequencies may alter would be when an examiner deems it necessary, or where circumstances may alter the conditions (such as certain lifting equipment being used outside), where there may be a requirement to examine the equipment on each occasion it is used, or after an accident or dangerous occurrence.

The University’s insurance company Zurich currently carry out such examinations and it is important that any new item of lifting equipment is added to the register. Defects will be reported via the CRIMSON system to 'key representatives' within the department responsible for the equipment and to the enforcing authority as deemed necessary by the examiner. Defective equipment must be taken out of use or quarantined by the department concerned and must not be used.

Pre-use Checks and Maintenance

Users of lifting equipment must carry out pre-use checks of the lifting equipment prior to its use as with other work equipment. In relation to lifting equipment this could be a simple task to check its functionality, or could involve a visual check of the integrity of straps, ropes or slings etc. This type of pre-use check and its associated recommended maintenance would be incorporated into the documentation provided by the manufacturer / supplier at the time of purchase. As many of these types of equipment will also fall under the term, 'work equipment' or 'machinery', the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations will also apply to ensure that the equipment is maintained safe for use in the workplace. Further guidance around this can be found in Machinery and Work Equipment. Some work equipment such as fork lift trucks require a specific maintenance regime to be put into place.

Appropriate storage of lifting equipment can extend its working life. Consult with the manufacturer’s guidance and follow the storage requirements.