If you use any form of lifting equipment, such as winches or hoists, in a commercial setting, then these must comply with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 – also known as LOLER. LOLER inspections are in place to ensure that such equipment meets these regulations and can be used safely, as well as establish their safe working loads.
Read on below as we tell you why it’s important to test your winches in compliance with LOLER, along with what this entails.
What is a LOLER Inspection?
A LOLER inspection is a test that is carried out by a competent person (who is also independent and impartial), whereby they will perform a detailed examination of your lifting equipment. The test requires that all equipment involved with lifting, such as winches, are fit for purpose, appropriate for the job for which they are being used and suitably marked, with maintenance records needing to be on hand and any damages recorded.
The marking involved with a LOLER inspection includes the equipment’s safe working load, along with any characteristic that might affect the safe use of said equipment.
A LOLER inspection must be carried out on your lifting equipment annually, unless it is being used to lift persons, in which case it must be inspected every six months. Upon passing a LOLER inspection, you will obtain a certificate, which will include the date of the last examination and when the next one is due, along with your winch’s safe working load.
The Importance of Testing Your Winches
There are a number of reasons why it is important that your winches undergo a LOLER inspection. Firstly, they are a legal requirement, meaning it is your responsibility as a business owner to ensure that all your winches undergo this necessary testing in order for your employees to be allowed to use them.
Furthermore, these inspections are important for ensuring the safety of your employees. By undergoing the necessary testing, you can check whether your winches are in good working condition and if they can be operated safely, or if they have the potential to cause human harm during operation due to a fault or malfunction.
On top of that, a LOLER inspection also tests the safe working load of your winches, so that you know the weights with which you can work, reducing the likelihood that a winch will be overexerted with extra weight that it cannot safely handle.
Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services
If you require testing for your winches and/or other lifting equipment, then you need Atlas Winch Hire & Hoist Services.
Our LEEA qualified engineers and technicians are able to carry out full LOLER inspections; we offer both in-house examinations with our 100 tonne test bed or 160 tonne portable test frame, as well as on-site test loading up to 400 tonnes.
Stuck with what to do if your winches fail the inspection? Fear not, because our team also has the extensive knowledge, expertise and qualifications to service, refurbish and modify any winch.
For more information or to enquire about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Email us at info@winchhire.com, or phone us on 01899 221 577.