1. By Troy Budd and Kane Sharp

2.  Lifting Operations and lifting equipment Regulations (LOLER) came into force on the 5 th of December 1998.  The Regulations aim to improve peoples health and safety from the use of lifting equipment within the workplace. By Troy Budd and Kane Sharp

3.  LOLER replaced existing legal requirements relating to the use of lifting equipment in the workplace  Construction (lifting operations) Regulations 1961  Docks Regulations 1988  Lifting Plant and equipment (Records of Test and Examination) Regulations 1992 By Troy Budd and Kane Sharp

4. Lifting equipment has to be:  Strong and stable enough for the particular use and marked to indicate safe working loads.  Positioned and installed to minimise any risks.  Used safely, i.e. the work is planned, organised and performed by competent people.  Subject to on going thorough examination and, where appropriate, inspection by competent people By Troy Budd and Kane Sharp

5. The regulation covers most lifting equipment which includes:  Cranes  Forklift Trucks  Hoists  Lifts  Mobile elevating work platforms Also including lifting accessories:  Chains  Slings  Eyebolts By Troy Budd and Kane Sharp

6. LOLER applies to everybody whether they are self- employed or an employer providing lifting equipment for use at work, or have the control of the use of lifting equipment. However it does not apply to public lifting equipment such as lifts or escalators, these are covered by health and safety at work act 1974. By Troy Budd and Kane Sharp

7. They must insure that the use of any lifting equipment supplied by the employer meets the regulations of LOLER:  Strong and stable enough for the purpose of use.  Installed and positioned by a trained competent person to prevent any additional movement in the equipment.  To ensure that all lifting equipment has the necessary checks and is thoroughly examined before use.  Ensure that all equipment is visibly marked with the appropriate information, for example weight restrictions.  There are also many other legislations that are enforced. By Troy Budd and Kane Sharp

8. All health and safety regulations work along side others to make a safer workplace. An example of this is personal protective equipment(PPE) will work with LOLER to ensure working with lifting equipment is safer and more sufficient. By Troy Budd and Kane Sharp

9.  The regulations are enforced by the health and safety executive, if these regulations are not met or are broken the health and safety board have the power to shut the company down. By Troy Budd and Kane Sharp

10. In conclusion LOLER improves general health and safety for everybody when using lifting equipment in the workplace. However it could be improved by having the regulations checked and assessed as they were last done in 1998. By Troy Budd and Kane Sharp

11.  http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg290.pdf  http://www.hseni.gov.uk/l113_safe_use_of_lifti ng_equipment.pdf  http://www.towne.co.uk/index.php?option=co m_content&view=article&id=64:loler- regulations-guide&catid=35:loler-regulations By Troy Budd and Kane Sharp