A guide to LOLER and lifting regulations
When working with forklifts, staying safe and compliant is essential. Forklift LOLER regulations are a set of regulations that exist to keep people and businesses safe when working with lifting equipment.
Lifting equipment covers all work equipment used for the lifting and lowering of loads, including accessories and attachments. If you use forklifts for lifting in your place of work, whether they are owned or hired, it’s your responsibility to adhere to the regulations set out by LOLER.
What are the forklift LOLER regulations?
LOLER is an abbreviation of Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, a set of HSE rules that came into force in 1998. The regulations are a set of duties that people and businesses who own or operate lifting equipment must adhere to. They state that all lifting operations must be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
Forklift LOLER regulations also state that all lifting equipment must be:
- Fit for purpose.
- Appropriate for the task.
- Suitably marked.
- In many cases, subject to periodic ‘thorough examination’.
In most cases, lifting equipment is also work equipment. This means that PUWER, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, also applies. PUWER advice states that equipment provided for use in the workplace must be:
- Suitable for the intended use.
- Safe for use, maintained in a safe condition and inspected to ensure it is correctly installed and does not subsequently deteriorate.
- Used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training.
- Accompanied by suitable health and safety measures, such as protective devices and controls. These will normally include guarding, emergency stop devices, adequate means of isolation from sources of energy, clearly visible markings and warning devices.
- Used in accordance with specific requirements, for mobile work equipment and power presses.
What is a forklift ‘thorough examination’?
A thorough examination is an in-depth physical examination of a forklift truck and/or its accessories to ensure it’s safe and compliant, similar to a car’s MOT. LOLER states that lifting equipment should be regularly thoroughly examined at specified intervals by a competent person, who must then complete a written report. Generally, thorough examinations are required every 6 months for lifting equipment.
A thorough examination report includes important information about a forklift truck’s overall health and condition and lists any defects detected during the examination. It is then your responsibility to rectify any serious faults before using the forklift truck again.
A “competent person” is someone who has the practical and technical experience to properly examine the forklift. In order to give a fair assessment, the inspector should be independent and impartial.
What do I need to do to comply with forklift LOLER regulations?
LOLER is about prioritising safety when using lifting equipment, so being mindful and ensuring your trucks are in good shape at all times is important. Here’s what you can do to stay safe and compliant:
- Firstly, ensure your trucks are regularly thoroughly examined by a competent professional. This is a legal requirement and a trained engineer can properly check the overall safety and performance of the vehicle. They will let you know if any repairs need to be made.
- Check your trucks regularly yourself as part of a maintenance routine. Continuous use of a forklift truck leads to wear and tear, so performing daily checks will make sure you’re aware of any faults in the first instance. Checks should include (but are not limited to) tyres, battery, engine oil, brakes, steering and lights. Take a look at our recommendations for daily forklift checks.
- Ensure that anyone driving a forklift truck within your operation is properly trained so the work can be carried out in a safe manner. Our forklift driver training complies with all the latest industry regulations and standards and gives you the peace of mind that your drivers are equipped with the knowledge they need.
- Make sure your forks are marked clearly with their safe working load. This is a LOLER requirement and means all employees are aware of the capabilities of each forklift truck they are operating.
We hope this taught you more about Forklift LOLER regulations and what you can do to stay safe and compliant. At Moorgate we offer a range of forklift services, including repairs, servicing, driver training, and truck hire and purchasing. If you’d like any more information, please get in touch with our friendly team.
