inspections

INSPECTIONS

Ensure the safety and reliability of your equipment and compliance with statutory requirements.

If own or operate cranes, lifting or hoisting equipment, it is a legal requirement to ensure that they are safe, and in compliance with statutory requirements. That is where our crane, hoisting and lifting equipment inspection can help.

Safe and successful lifting operations depend, in large part, on the continued safety of the lifting equipment and accessories that are used. Failures in this kind of equipment can result in significant or even fatal injuries. Health and safety law therefore places a number of specific obligations on those providing, controlling and using lifting equipment to properly manage these risks.

When should thorough examinations be carried out?
In order to verify that lifting equipment and accessories remain safe for use and to detect and remedy any deterioration in good time, thorough examinations are required throughout the lifetime of the equipment, including examinations:

• before use for the first time – unless the equipment has a current valid EC Declaration of Conformity or Statutory Inspection certificatel. If it was assembled on site, it must be examined by a competent person to ensure that the assembly (eg a platform lift installed in a building) was completed correctly and safely.

• after assembly and before use at each location – for equipment that requires assembly or installation before use.

• regularly, while in service – if the equipment is exposed to conditions that cause deterioration and is likely to result in dangerous situations. Most lifting equipment will be subject to wear and tear and so will need regular in-service examination.

You have a choice:
Arrange for thorough examination to be carried out at the intervals specified by LOLER (every 6 or 12 months, depending on the equipment),

or

Conduct examinations in accordance with an examination scheme, drawn up by a competent person.

• following exceptional circumstances – liable to jeopardise the safety of lifting equipment, which may include:
damage or failure.
being out of use for long periods.
major changes, which are likely to affect the equipment’s integrity (e.g. modifications, or replacement / repair of critical parts).

The Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) are a set of regulations created under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Our engineers are fully conversant with the tests and inspections required.