LOLER - working to prevent lifting construction accidents
Heavy lifting is a necessary part of most construction jobs. Lifting machinery should be in place for this purpose, and when used correctly and in accordance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) should minimise the risk of a construction accident.
All lifting equipment is subject to these regulations, including forklifts, cranes, lifts, hoists, as well as their respective constituent components such as shackles, eyebolts, hooks, slings, chains and ropes. Other less obvious equipment covered includes:
- Dumb waiters in the hospitality industry
- Road accident recovery vehicles
- Nursing home hoists for residents
- Vehicle tail lifts
- All simple rope and pulley systems
- Passenger lifts in office buildings
Introduced in 1998, LOLER replaced the protections and obligations outlined in the Construction (Lifting Operations) Regulations 1961, the Docks Regulations 1988 and the Lifting Plant and Equipment (Records of Test and Examination) Regulations 1992.
They apply to all lifting equipment, whether owned, hired or belonging to an employee and used in the performance of work for an employer. Safety aspects of manual lifting are outlined separately in the Manual Handling Regulations.
LOLER does not stand alone in its efforts to reduce construction accident injuries caused by lifting equipment. They are subject to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and underline the basic and fundamental safety obligations prescribed in the Health and Safety at Work Act.
What LOLER does
According to the Health and Safety Executive, LOLER tries to ensure that lifting equipment is:
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 ongoing thorough examination and, where, appropriate, inspected by competent people.
No win, no fee construction accident claim experts
Over the years YouClaim have consistently shown their pedigree in successfully representing workers who have suffered serious personal injury while working in the construction industry.
Win or lose, neither we nor the solicitors on our well-established panel firms ever charge a single penny in legal costs or fees. Furthermore, with our no-cut commitment we deliver 100% compensation to all our winning clients.
Overcoming injury and loss of earnings following a construction accident can be a difficult process, but here at YouClaim we make it as easy as possible.
If you would like to ask some questions about how we can give you the very best chance of making a successful compensation claim, fill out an online claim form or have an echat.
Alternatively, if you would like to speak to someone now, call us on 0800 10 757 95 and speak to an experienced legal advisor.
