LIFTING EQUIPMENT

• Lifting equipment must be of adequate strength and stability for each load lifted.
• Safe working loads for each configuration must be marked on the equipment or kept with it.
• Every part of the load and anything attached to it or used in lifting must be of adequate strength.
• Equipment for lifting people must:
  • safeguard people from being crushed, struck or trapped and from falling from the carrier;
  • have suitable devices to prevent the carrier from falling; and
  • ensure anybody trapped in the carrier is not exposed to danger and can be readily freed; and
  • be marked as such.
• Lifting equipment must be positioned safely and to:
  • minimise the risk of anybody being struck; and
  • prevent anybody falling down a shaft or hoist way.
• Lifting operations must be:
  • planned and carried out safely by competent, authorised people; and
  • appropriately supervised.
• Lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined for defects by a competent person:
  • before being put into service for the first time (unless accompanied by declarations specified in LOLER);
  • after installation/assembly and before being put into service where safety depends on the installation/assembly conditions; and
  • at appropriate intervals while in service.
• If exposed to conditions causing deterioration likely to result in a dangerous situation equipment must be thoroughly examined by a competent person:
  • at least every 6 months if a passenger carrying device or a lifting accessory; and
  • at least every 12 months otherwise.
  • If appropriate, inspections by a competent person should be made at intervals between thorough examinations.
• Equipment must not be used until defects revealed by examinations or inspections have been rectified.
• Equipment leaving the University or obtained from another undertaking for use in the University must be accompanied by evidence of any tests and thorough examinations required by LOLER.
• Departments must keep the following documents:
  • EC Declaration of Conformity accompanying equipment; and
  • reports of thorough examinations for the periods specified in LOLER.