LOLER — Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

LOLER has had a major impact on the rope access industry since its introduction. The term 'Lifting Equipment' means work equipment that lifts, supports or lowers a Load and includes the attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting it.

The three principal aims of LOLER

Lifting operations are properly planned and managed.
Lifting equipment is used in a safe manner.
Lifting equipment is thoroughly examined at suitable intervals by a competent person.

Strength

Lifting equipment must have adequate strength for its intended use. Equipment should be selected which meets the standards relevant to its intended use.

Stability

Ensure the lifting equipment has adequate stability and will not collapse or overturn when working. Where lifting equipment is anchored to other work equipment or structures, these must be able to withstand the forces that may be imposed upon them.

Lifting people

Marking of lifting equipment

All lifting equipment should be marked with its Safe Working Load (SWL). Rope access equipment is designed specifically to support the weight of one person, and is automatically rated with a SWL of one person in normal use.

In the event of a rescue this can be increased to two people due to the factor of safety built into the equipment — but this should only be done by specifically trained and competent persons who will avoid generating large dynamic forces.

Because most rope access equipment is subject to particular service conditions (different sized and types of rope with varying levels of wear), it is not generally marked with a SWL. Instead the user information supplied with the product defines the SWL or WLL that can be applied in certain configurations — usually 80kg, 100kg or 150kg depending on the EN Standard it has been tested to.

All components of a rope access system should be identifiable in such a way that they can be traced back to their documentation — declarations of conformity, test certificates and examination reports.

Organisation of lifting operations

Work should be properly planned by a competent person, adequately supervised, and carried out in a safe manner.
Work teams should be made up of at least 2 persons, one of whom is deemed competent to supervise.
An IRATA Level 3 technician should supervise all rope access work.

Planners should take account of visibility and communication between technicians, the work environment (e.g. wind, rain, ice, emissions), and any hazards in the area (e.g. high voltage lines, hot works, abrasion, chemicals).

Thorough & periodic examinations

LOLER requires all lifting equipment to be Thoroughly Examined:

Before first use (the declaration of conformity normally serves this purpose).
Upon receiving the item from a third party.
Every six months, or at intervals specified in an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person, taking account of manufacturer's recommendations and work conditions.

Lifting equipment should also be examined each time exceptional circumstances occur which could jeopardise its safe use.

Periodic Examinations should be carried out additionally where the risk assessment has identified high wear and tear in the period between Thorough Examinations.

If a defect is discovered which could become a danger, the employer should be informed and the lifting equipment quarantined against further use until the defect is rectified.

Records

A certificate of conformity indicating the standard to which the equipment conforms, and any strength requirements, should be made available to the user. All components of the rope access system should be traceable to the certificates of conformity and examination reports. A coded marking system should be used.

Certificates of conformity should be kept as long as the equipment remains in use.
Thorough examination reports for the previous two years should be made available for inspection by the authorities.