Lifting Equipment
LOLER and PUWER
LOLER and PUWER are two sets of health and safety regulations. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). And the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).
Both sets of regulations apply to equipment and have some overlap in the way they apply. For some equipment and activities, you might need to comply with one regulation. For others, you might need to comply with both.
So when does LOLER apply? When does PUWER? And when do both? What are the similarities and differences between these health and safety regulations?
PUWER
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) apply to work equipment. That’s all types and any equipment used at work. If you own, operate, use or have control over work equipment, PUWER applies.
PUWER requires all equipment used at work to be suitable and safe for use, correctly installed, maintained and used. It should have suitable health and safety controls and markings.
LOLER
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) apply to lifting equipment and operations. If you own operate or control lifting equipment, these regulations apply.
A lifting operation could be the lifting or lowering of any load, including materials, people, or other equipment. Lifting equipment must be fit for purpose, suitable for the task, marked and subject to periodic inspections.
LOLER and PUWER
LOLER and PUWER are often referred to together because they do have some overlap. Both sets of regulations apply to equipment. Both sets of regulations place duties and requirements on the inspection and installation of equipment.
- LOLER only applies to lifting equipment
- PUWER applies to all equipment
The names of the regulations kind of give this difference away. But it’s important to remember that lifting equipment is still equipment, so both LOLER and PUWER apply here.
Safety Inspections
Both sets of regulations require equipment to be inspected after installation and before being put into service for the first time, and after assembly at a new site or in a new location. Both sets of regulations also require equipment to be examined at suitable intervals to ensure any deterioration can be detected and remedied in good time so that the lifting equipment is safe to use. So these requirements are the same.