Lifting equipment

A wide range of lifting equipment is in use throughout the University and includes lifting machines such as passenger and goods lifts, overhead cranes, forklifts, pallet trucks, hydraulic jacks, lifting tables, winches etc. and items of lifting tackle such as slings, shackles, eyebolts etc.  Regulations on the use of such equipment exist and require that all lifting equipment be: 

  • 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 trained and competent people;
  • subject to periodic thorough examination by technical competent specialist. (see below)

Estates is responsible for maintenance of the majority of passenger and goods lifts within University buildings.   However, other items of lifting equipment are normally the responsibility of the College, School or Service under whose control the equipment is operated.

These requirements, and others not mentioned above, are set by the Lifting Equipment and Lifting Operations Regulations 1998 (LOLER). Staff involved in such work should familiarise themselves with the requirements of this legislation and with the associated Approved Code of Practice.

This HSE leaflet provides a simple starting point. http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg290.pdf

Inventory and periodic thorough examination

All Colleges, Schools and Services must ensure that they have an inventory of lifting equipment used within the unit and that arrangements are in place for maintenance and periodic “thorough examination” of this.  The University has a contract with a specialist company who carry out these examinations for us and units must ensure that items are notified to the relevant enginering surveyor so that they can be included on the University schedules.  If your unit is not already in contact with the local surveyor, SEPS can provide the necessary contact details.

There is currently no cost to individual units for the examination itself, but any repairs identified as necessary do have to be arranged and funded by the College, School or Service who own the equipment.

IT IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT TO HAVE A CURRENT AND VALID CERTIFICATE OF EXAMINATION FOR ANY ITEM OF LIFTING EQUIPMENT.  USE OF ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT WITHOUT SUCH A CERTIFICATE IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE. 

Purchase of equipment

When lifting equipment is purchased it is supplied with a Declaration of Conformity (previously called a Proof Load Certificate) which certifies it as fit for use.  It is important that these documents are identified and retained whenever equipment is purchased as they are required as part of the initial thorough examination process.  If these documents are not available arrangments may be needed to have equipment re-certificated, which can be costly.  Due to the need for certification and testing it is generally not economically viable nor legal to use home-built or modified lifting equipment. However, if this is planned SEPS should be consulted for advice, prior to construction.

Repair of equipment 

When through examination reports are issued they may contain requirements for maintenance or repair.  It is the responsibility of the unit in managerial control of the equipment to ensure that any work specified as essential for continued safety is carried out. In some cases the equipment may be reported as havign seriosu defects which require it to be immeddaitely taken out of service.