FAQs

Sutch Lifting Equipment Ltd
“Dedicated to lightening your load”


	Tel: 01604 751146

Frequently asked questions...

What does LOLER stand for?

What does SWL stand for?

What does MBL stand for?

What does RAS stand for?

What does EWL stand for?

What does the term ‘Thorough examination’ as used in LOLER actually mean?

How often does lifting equipment have to be tested under LOLER?

Does lifting equipment have to be proof load tested under LOLER?

What does ‘competent person’ as referred to in LOLER actually mean?

What does LOLER stand for?

LOLER is the acronym for The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, which sets out the requirements of law in relation to the planning of lifting operations, and the statutory examination cycles for lifting equipment.

Back to index

What does SWL stand for?

SWL is the acronym for Safe Working Load, this is the maximum load that can be applied to a specific item of lifting equipment. This is usually determined by the manufacturer, however it may also be determined by a competent person / organisation after careful consideration of the mode of use and any external factors that may affect the equipment, such as temperature, duty cycle etc...

Back to index

What does MBL stand for?

MBL is the acronym for Minimum Breaking Load, this is the minimum load that a specific item achieved before failure when tested. For lifting equipment a factor of safety is applied to the Minimum Breaking Load in order to calculate the Safe Working Load.

Back to index

What does RAS stand for?

RAS is the acronym for Rated Assembly Strength, this is the maximum rated load for a specific item. Most likely to be seen on load securing equipment such as ratchet tensioner assemblies.

Back to index

What does EWL stand for?

EWL is the acronym for Effective Working Length, this is the measurement used when measuring / specifying lifting slings. The measurement is taken from the load bearing points, for example: in the case of a chain sling the measurement is taken between the bearing point of the master link and the bearing point of the hook.

Back to index

What does the term ‘thorough examination’ as used in LOLER actually mean?

The term ‘thorough examination’ is used frequently throughout LOLER and refers to an examination made by a competent person* involving a complete and thorough assessment as to the current condition of the equipment, this may involve the disassembly of certain components in order to obtain access where visual inspection alone is not sufficient.

* Competent person

Back to index

How often does lifting equipment have to be tested under LOLER?

Regulation 9, Paragraph 85 of The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) states

“Because proof testing can cause damage to machinery (which, increasingly, is built to fine tolerances), the decision to test is one which may need to be made by someone with substantial expertise, suitably informed by advice from the manufacturer.”

Where an item is proof load tested it does not need to be repeated unless, a repair is made that is deemed as requiring verification, however it should be examined at regular intervals as prescribed in Regulation 9 of LOLER.

Back to index

Does lifting equipment have to be proof load tested under LOLER?

Simply put the answer is no. Under LOLER lifting equipment now only requires testing at the sole discretion of the examiner / examination body. New proprietary lifting equipment would not normally require proof load testing as through the processes of ensuring compliance with the Supply of Machinery Regulations 1992 (SMR) the equipment will have undergone rigourous theoretical calculations and testing. In this case a Thorough Examination would suffice, however older equipment manufactured prior to the SMR or that of bespoke design may be deemed by an examiner as requiring proof load testing.

Back to index

What does ‘competent person’ as referred to in LOLER actually mean?

A competent person is someone that is able to meet the following criteria:

1. A person or organisation who are able to carry out an examination without fear or favour, this is generally accepted to mean an independent third party such as an insurance company or specialist lifting equipment company.

Companies may designate their own internal competent person, but they would have to ensure that the designate is able to meet the following, as should an accident occur and a case is brought in a court of law, they would be required to prove their competence.

2. The competent person should have a minimum of 5 years practical and theoretical experience of the equipment to be examined.

3. The competent person should have the experience and maturity to call upon specialist advice should they need to do so.

Back to index


	\|Home \|About us \|Copyright \|Privacy \|Disclaimer \|Products \|Services \|Site map \|LOLER \|Document file \|Contact us \|FAQs

site promotion by FirstFound - Search Engine Consultants