Many companies use the engineering divisions of  insurance companies to carry out the necessary checks to ensure that their plant and equipment comply with the vast range of legislation that applies to their plant and machinery.  This legislation includes the following:-

Independent Thorough Examinations to comply with LOLER 98 and PUWER 98 Legislation

If you operate lifting equipment, you have a legal obligation to ensure that you hold a valid Report of Thorough Examination. This applies whether you own, lease or hire your fork lift truck. If you fail to comply with this requirement, it could lead to prosecution, or even a serious accident..

The Health and Safety Legislation; LOLER 98 (The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) which came into effect in December 1998 requires a thorough examination of lifting equipment, the frequency of which will vary, depending on the equipment.

All lifting equipment must meet the requirements of LOLER, which is to ensure that the equipment is strong enough and stable enough and suitable for the proposed use. The lifting equipment must be Thoroughly Examined before being taken into use for the first time, and at regular intervals thereafter.

A 'Thorough Examination' under LOLER 98, Regulation 9 is a statutory requirement for lifting equipment and it serves a similar purpose to that of an MOT. The report will confirm that the equipment is safe to use and offers advice on how to avoid risks when using the equipment.  A "Thorough Examination" will check the serviceability and a report will be issued to the owner or operator of the equipment.

An inspection that is part of a maintenance scheme or part of a scheduled service is not a Thorough Examination.

A Thorough Examination should be undertaken by a competent person.  A competent person is one who meets the requirements explained in LOLER.

In order to be classed a 'competent person' the examiner should have at least 5 years relevent experience and to have undertaken the necessary courses as required by the FLTA/ BITA.  Revalidation is required every 5 years. The examiner must be able to act without fear or favour, and must also act independently from the routine maintenance of the equipment - i.e. your regular engineer would NOT be able to carry out a 'Thorough Examination'

They carry out thorough visual examinations, focusing on safety critical components and controlling risks associated with :

1. The failure of mechanical components or electrical devices that could lead to the loss of control of any load or persons being lifted, lowered, arrested or suspended.

2. The failure of mechanical components or electrical devices that are designed to protect persons, for example, safety or protective devices.

As well as reporting defects, routine in-service inspections are aimed at assessing an item’s fitness for continued use – that is ensuring that health and safety conditions are maintained and that any deterioration can be detected and remedied in good time.

Many of the Engineering inspection departments of insurance companies have facilities for you to access your reports online and to access the insurer’s inspection activity wherever and whenever you need it.

• 'Work equipment for lifting or lowering loads (a load includes a person).  Work equipment means machinery, appliances, apparatus and tools or installations for use at work

• Those in control of work equipment such as employers, self employed and employers where employees use their own tools.  Also where an employer has some control over equipment e.g. a hire-in crane with driver.

For an insight into the requirements of the LOLER 98, including information for companies who use magnets in their lifting operations click here

LOLER_guide.pdf  - a simple guide from the HSE to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.