What is LOLER? A Complete Guide for UK Contractors

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) is one of the most important pieces of health and safety legislation affecting construction sites across the UK. If you're a contractor, site manager, or anyone involved in lifting operations, understanding LOLER isn't just about compliance—it's about keeping people safe.

What is LOLER?

LOLER is a set of regulations that came into force on 5 December 1998. They place duties on people and companies who own, operate, or have control over lifting equipment. The regulations cover all lifting equipment used at work, from the smallest hoist to the largest tower crane.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces LOLER, and the regulations work alongside other health and safety legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).

Who Does LOLER Apply To?

LOLER applies to:

• Employers who own or control lifting equipment
• Self-employed persons using lifting equipment
• Those who manage or control the use of lifting equipment

In construction, this typically means main contractors, subcontractors, plant hire companies, and anyone responsible for coordinating lifting operations on site.

What Equipment is Covered?

LOLER covers all lifting equipment used at work, including:

• Tower cranes and mobile cranes
• Excavators used for lifting (not just digging)
• Hoists and lifts
• Telehandlers and forklift trucks
• Lifting accessories (slings, shackles, chains)
• Vehicle inspection hoists
• Any equipment designed for lifting or lowering loads

Key LOLER Requirements

1. Strength and Stability (Regulation 4)

Lifting equipment must be of adequate strength and stability for each load. This is where proper lift planning becomes critical—you need to ensure the equipment is suitable for the task and that stability is maintained throughout the operation.

2. Lifting Equipment for Lifting Persons (Regulation 5)

If equipment is used to lift people, it must be marked accordingly and have additional safety features to prevent falling. This is particularly relevant for MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) and personnel hoists.

3. Positioning and Installation (Regulation 6)

Lifting equipment must be positioned and installed to minimise risk. For tower cranes, this includes proper foundation design and checks. For mobile cranes, it means proper ground conditions and setup on suitable bearing surfaces.

4. Marking of Lifting Equipment (Regulation 7)

Equipment must be clearly marked with its safe working load (SWL). Where it's not practicable to mark the equipment itself, the information must be kept with it.

5. Organisation of Lifting Operations (Regulation 8)

This is the "lift planning" requirement. Every lifting operation must be:

• Properly planned by a competent person
• Appropriately supervised
• Carried out in a safe manner

This means you need a written lift plan for complex lifts, prepared by someone with the necessary knowledge and experience—typically a CPCS Appointed Person (A61).

6. Thorough Examination and Inspection (Regulation 9)

LOLER requires:

• Initial thorough examination before first use
• Thorough examination after installation and before use
• Periodic thorough examination (at least every 6 or 12 months)
• Thorough examination after exceptional circumstances

What is a "Competent Person"?

LOLER frequently refers to "competent persons." This means someone with sufficient training, experience, knowledge, and other qualities to enable them to properly assist in undertaking the measures needed to comply with the requirements.

For lift planning, this typically means a CPCS Appointed Person who holds the A61 qualification. They have been trained to plan lifting operations, select appropriate equipment, calculate loads and capacities, and ensure operations comply with LOLER and BS 7121.

When Do You Need a Lift Plan?

LOLER Regulation 8 requires ALL lifting operations to be properly planned. However, the complexity of the plan should match the complexity of the lift:

• Simple, routine lifts: May only require a brief assessment and toolbox talk
• Complex or non-routine lifts: Require a detailed written lift plan

Factors that make a lift "complex" include:

• Heavy or awkwardly shaped loads
• Lifts near power lines or structures
• Tandem lifts (using two cranes)
• Lifts over live areas (roads, occupied buildings)
• Unfamiliar equipment or procedures
• Restricted working space

LOLER Enforcement and Penalties

The HSE takes LOLER very seriously. Breaches can result in:

• Improvement notices
• Prohibition notices (stopping work immediately)
• Prosecution
• Unlimited fines
• Imprisonment for serious breaches

More importantly, failure to comply with LOLER puts lives at risk. Crane incidents often result in serious injuries or fatalities, and investigations almost always reveal inadequate planning or supervision.

How RMT Solutions Can Help

At RMT Solutions, we specialise in LOLER compliant lift planning. As a CPCS Appointed Person with 35 years of construction experience, I provide:

• Detailed written lift plans complying with LOLER Regulation 8
• Appointed Person contracts for ongoing compliance
• Review and checking of subcontractor lift plans
• Site visits and supervision where required
• Expert advice on equipment selection and planning

Common LOLER Questions

Do I need a lift plan for an excavator?

Yes, if the excavator is being used for lifting rather than just digging. Once you attach lifting accessories (chains, slings), it becomes lifting equipment under LOLER and requires proper planning. See our complete guide to excavator lift plans for more detail.

Who is responsible for LOLER compliance on site?

Ultimately, the duty holder—usually the main contractor or whoever controls the site. However, everyone involved has responsibilities, including equipment hirers, subcontractors, and operatives.

How long should I keep LOLER documentation?

Thorough examination reports must be kept until the next examination is completed. Lift plans should be kept for the duration of the project plus a reasonable period afterwards (typically 3-6 months minimum).

Can I do my own lift planning?

Only if you are competent to do so. For complex lifts, you need someone with appropriate training and qualifications—typically a CPCS Appointed Person A61.

Conclusion

LOLER compliance isn't optional—it's a legal requirement that protects lives. Proper lift planning by a competent person is the cornerstone of safe lifting operations.

If you're unsure about your LOLER obligations or need professional lift planning services, get in touch. We can help ensure your lifting operations are safe, legal, and properly documented.