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HSE Statement on COVID-19 and
Lifting Equipment Examinations

HSE

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has released the following statement:

For the thorough examination lift industry, the following applies-

Following the Government’s recent announcement that we are now in the ‘delay’ phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, the HSE is advising owners of lifting equipment and in particular engineering companies who carry out the thorough examinations and testing of lifting equipment to note the following:

  • Lifting equipment for the lifting of persons is carried out every six months with a dated report issued to the lift owner. The next six-month examination should take place on or before this date, but not after.
  • If no thorough examination has taken place prior to the date on the report, the lifting equipment should not be used until it has been examined by a competent person.
  • However, if engineering companies, are suffering shortages in their own resources, they should consider focusing their thorough examination of lifts on premises where the most vulnerable are located such as hospitals and care homes where people may not be as able to use stairs, as opposed to shops and offices where staff maybe more able to do so. 

Most premises have more than one lift so some redundancy is already built in should a lift have to be taken out of use having gone beyond its examination date until an engineer is available to visit.

There is a higher risk of lifting equipment failure should it not be examined as per the six month schedule and dutyholders are expected to take all reasonably practicable steps to make sure their equipment complies with the law. HSE will keep the situation under review and does not have any plans to issue any exemptions to LOLER requirements.

Original Source: LEEA, HSE Statement On COVID-19 and Lifting Equipment Examination, 18th March 2020. Read the full article here.

About Plant and Safety Limited

Plant and Safety Limited are the UK trading business for the LB International Group, which operates from the Middle East, and Africa. Plant and Safety are national providers of Inspection, Testing, Certification, and Training Services on equipment within the work place including lifting equipment, work equipment, plant equipment, and access equipment. Plant and Safety Limited are an NPORS Approved and Accredited Training Provider. As an NPORS approved training provider, NPORS course attendees will be issued with an NPORS Training Certificate. 

Plant and Safety Accreditations NPORS

T: 0330 113 7920

E: sales@plantandsafety.co.uk

Plant and Safety Ltd, Birmingham Road, Shenstone, Staffordshire, WS14 0LB