LOLER – why do you need to inspect mobility hoists?

Did you know that if you have a mobility hoist on your work premises, no matter what the use, it needs to be regularly inspected under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)?

This legislation came into force in 1998 and ensures that your lifting equipment is strong and study enough to be used on a regular basis.

If your lifting equipment is being used to move people (for example a bed or bath hoist), it’s even more important to ensure that it is safe to use in order to prevent injury – both to the people using the hoist and the people operating the hoist.

Think of LOLER like an MOT for your car – both have to be carried out at regular intervals, both have to be carried out by law and after both you get a certificate to confirm that there are no problems, or if there are any issues you need to get sorted in order to keep safe.

LOLER applies to all lifting equipment, however we are going to focus on mobility hoists in this article.

Key information about LOLER and hoists

• Under LOLER, all hoists that are used for lifting people must be inspected before it is used for the first time, and then every six months including an annual load test to ensure the hoist is lifting to its correct specifications, If the hoist is damaged it must be inspected before putting back into service
• LOLER only applies to hoists used in a work environment (for example, a care home). If a member of the public buys a hoist for their own private use at home, it does not need to be inspected
• A ‘competent’ person with knowledge of the lifting equipment must carry out the inspection, and must be a different person to the one who normally maintains the hoist so they can assess it impartially
• As part of the inspection, the person will check the safe working load of the hoist (and ensure this number is marked on the hoist), visually inspect the equipment and test all parts for any faults
• Non-compliance with LOLER can result in a fine or imprisonment. In 2011 a nursing home was fined £18,000 and £13,000 costs after a resident fell to the ground after being lifted out of bed. Sadly the resident died the next day because of injuries caused
• The person undertaking the LOLER inspection must provide a written report and advise of any defects that may cause injury. If an accident takes place, the HSE may request to see these reports

As well as providing maintenance and repair services, Pickerings Lifts skilled mobility engineers can also inspect your mobility hoists, either independently or as part of a service.

Pickerings Lifts and Henshaws College – keeping you safe

Henshaws College in Harrogate is a charity supporting young people with sight loss and disabilities. As well as providing education for students with disabilities, they also provide specialist housing as well as support to enable people to live independently.

Pickerings Lifts has been working with Henshaws since 2016 and maintain 35 hoists for the charity including ceiling, gantry and mobile hoists. As well as maintaining the hoists, Pickerings Lifts also conduct LOLER inspections every six months to ensure that the hoists are certified as safe to use.

Carol Bott, Regional Manager for Mobility at Pickerings Lifts said; “Not many people are aware of LOLER and how it affects them, but it is a legal requirement and must be complied with if you have lifting equipment on your premises.

We work with Henshaws to maintain their hoists, ensuring that they are in excellent condition for when it is time for them to be inspected. A different engineer is assigned to carry out LOLER checks in order to ensure an independent inspection and following the check, a safety certificate is provided and the date of the next LOLER inspection put in the diary in order to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.”

Glyn Hargreaves, Maintenance Manager at Henshaws said: “We want to ensure that wherever possible people can live as independently as possible in their own environment; hoists are a major contributing factor in achieving this. Pickerings Lifts mobility engineers LOLER test our hoists thoroughly not only ensuring that we are compliant, but that the people we support and their carers can use them with confidence.”

If you would like to find out more about LOLER inspections for your mobility hoists, please contact us – contact@pickeringslifts.co.uk or 0800 0853211.

Find out more about our mobility repair and maintenance services

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