LOLER: What You Need to Know
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) apply to all workplaces where lifting equipment is used. It places duties on employers and the self-employed to ensure that lifting equipment is safe, fit for purpose, and regularly examined.
Under LOLER, all lifting equipment must receive a thorough examination by a competent person at least every 12 months (6 months for equipment used to lift persons). This is separate from routine inspection and maintenance.
A thorough examination goes beyond a visual check. It includes functional testing, dimensional checks, and assessment of wear against original specifications. The examiner must produce a written report within 28 days, and any defects posing immediate danger must be reported to the HSE.
Key LOLER Requirements
- All lifting operations must be planned by a competent person
- Equipment must be examined before first use if no EC Declaration of Conformity exists
- Thorough examination at least every 12 months (6 months for personnel lifting)
- Written reports must be kept available for inspection
- Defects must be reported and actioned before equipment returns to service
Pre-Use Inspection of Slings
Every sling should be visually inspected before each use. This takes 30 seconds and can prevent a catastrophic failure. Here is what to look for by sling type:
Wire Rope Slings
- Broken wires: more than 5 in any one rope lay, or 10 in the full sling length, means withdrawal from service
- Reduction in diameter: more than 10% compared to nominal means the rope is worn beyond safe limits
- Corrosion or pitting on outer wires
- Distortion: kinks, bird-caging, core protrusion
- Damage to ferrules or eyes: cracks, deformation, or evidence of the rope slipping through
Chain Slings
- Elongation: any link stretched more than 5% should be withdrawn
- Wear: if link diameter is reduced by 10% or more at any point, replace
- Cracks, gouges, or weld damage on any link
- Twisted or deformed links that don't hang freely
- Damaged hooks: latch not working, throat opening increased, tip bent
Webbing Slings
- Cuts or tears to the webbing surface
- Chemical damage: stiffening, discolouration, or melting of fibres
- Abraded areas where the weave pattern is no longer visible
- Missing or illegible identification label
- Damaged stitching on eyes or fittings
Safe Working Load and Sling Angles
The Working Load Limit (WLL) printed on a sling applies only when the sling is used in a straight vertical pull. As soon as you introduce an angle, the effective capacity drops. This catches people out regularly.
For a two-leg sling, the capacity at different included angles is approximately:
| Included Angle | Capacity Factor | Example (2T rated sling) |
|---|---|---|
| 0° (vertical) | 2.0 | 4.0T total |
| 30° | 1.93 | 3.86T total |
| 60° | 1.73 | 3.46T total |
| 90° | 1.41 | 2.82T total |
| 120° | 1.0 | 2.0T total |
Never exceed a 120-degree included angle. Beyond this point, the load on each leg increases rapidly and can exceed the sling's rated capacity even when the total load is below the WLL.
Planning a Lift
LOLER requires that every lifting operation is planned by a competent person. For routine lifts with known loads, this can be a brief documented assessment. For complex or heavy lifts, a full method statement and lift plan is required.
As a minimum, your lift plan should cover:
- Weight of the load (verified, not estimated)
- Centre of gravity and any asymmetry
- Lifting equipment to be used and its rated capacity
- Rigging arrangement and sling angles
- Ground conditions and crane stability
- Exclusion zone and signaller arrangements
- Environmental factors: wind speed, visibility, proximity to power lines
- Emergency procedures if something goes wrong
Need a LOLER Examination?
Rigid Rigs employs qualified examiners who can carry out thorough examinations on all types of lifting equipment. We can attend your site or examine equipment at our workshop. Reports issued same day.
Call 0800 612 3456