Health and Safety Policy Arrangements – Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment

Lifting operations and the use of lifting equipment are common in many industries but can pose significant risks if not managed properly. In the UK, the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) set out requirements to ensure that lifting equipment is used safely and efficiently. Employers must ensure that any equipment used for lifting is strong and stable enough for the particular use, properly maintained, and thoroughly examined at specified intervals by a competent person. This involves planning and supervising lifting operations to ensure they are carried out safely, ensuring that lifting equipment is suitable for the task and marked with its safe working load, and conducting risk assessments to identify potential hazards and implement control measures to mitigate these risks. Additionally, providing adequate training and information to employees involved in lifting operations is crucial to ensure they understand safe working practices. Effective management of lifting operations and equipment not only ensures compliance with legal standards but also minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries, contributing to a safer workplace.

Take a look at the information below for things you might want to include in your own H&S policy…

Feel free to copy / paste this list, and you can find out more about our full H&S policy here.

The [Proprietor / Directors] of [My Company] will ensure that;

  1. A risk assessment is to be carried out before proceeding with any lifting operations, covering; the type of load being lifted, the risk of it falling and striking a person, the risk of the lifting equipment striking a person and the risk of the lifting equipment failing or falling over in use.
  2. Lifting Equipment is also covered by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, therefore Section 5.2g Plant and Equipment should also be implemented to cover Lifting Equipment
  3. Any equipment used for lifting persons is specifically designed for the purpose and clearly marked with the maximum number of persons to be carried.
  4. All lifting equipment and accessories are suitable for the task and are clearly marked for identification purposes and Safe Working Load. On no account must the Safe Working Load be exceeded.
  5. All lifting equipment is; acquired from a reputable source, suitable for the purpose, erected, used and dismantled by competent trained personnel 
  6. Lifting equipment is thoroughly examined by a competent person in compliance with The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, and records kept.
  7. When any lifting equipment is found to be defective it will be immediately withdrawn from use, and be prevented from reuse until repaired/replaced
  8. All tasks (slinging, signalling, etc.) related to lifting operations are carried out by a competent person

Our minimum health and safety performance standards will be obtained from; but not restricted to;

  • Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER 98)
  • The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
  • HSE’s L113 – Safe Use of Lifting Equipment (LOLER 98)
  • INDG 290 – Lifting Equipment at Work

Did you find this useful? Sign up to our free compliance newsletter for insider tips, cutting edge strategies and tool recommendations.

Written By Ian