Crane and lifting operations for structural work

If you carry out lifting operations on construction sites using cranes, piling rigs, hoists, or concrete pump booms, you must comply with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). These regulations apply to all employers and self-employed persons who provide or control lifting equipment.

LOLER covers tower cranes, mobile cranes, crawler cranes, piling rigs, and construction hoists. A truck-mounted concrete placing boom is examined annually under industry schemes, but LOLER only applies to it if the boom is actually used to lift loads - when placing concrete, PUWER governs its maintenance and inspection. Lifting operations involving heavy prefabricated structural elements are also classified as work involving particular risks under CDM 2015 Schedule 3, which requires specific measures in your construction phase plan.

LOLER sets duties before, during, and after lifting operations on structural work projects. Failure to comply is a criminal offence enforced by the HSE, carrying an unlimited fine and up to 2 years imprisonment on indictment.

When these requirements apply

LOLER applies whenever you use lifting equipment on a construction site in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales). This includes:

• Erecting structural steelwork or precast concrete elements
• Placing heavy prefabricated components (roof trusses, cladding panels, modular units)
• Operating piling rigs for foundation work
• Using hoists to raise materials or persons on site
• Using a concrete placing boom to lift loads (when only placing concrete, PUWER rather than LOLER governs the boom)
• Lifting plant and equipment into or out of excavations

LOLER works alongside the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), which covers the general condition and maintenance of all work equipment including lifting equipment.

Plan every lift before it happens

Every crane lifting operation on a construction site must be planned in advance by an appointed person. The appointed person is responsible for assessing hazards, selecting the right crane for the job, and producing a written lift plan.

Thorough examination and record keeping

LOLER Regulation 9 requires that all lifting equipment undergoes thorough examination by a competent person (typically an independent inspection body such as a member of the Safety Assessment Federation). This is separate from routine maintenance.

Examination intervals

• Equipment that lifts people, such as passenger and goods hoists, must be examined at least every 6 months.
• Lifting accessories such as slings, chains, shackles and eyebolts must be examined at least every 6 months.
• All other lifting equipment, including cranes, piling rigs and material hoists, must be examined at least every 12 months. Concrete placing booms are also examined every 12 months under industry schemes, although LOLER applies only where the boom lifts loads.
• Equipment whose safety depends on how it is installed, such as a tower crane re-erected on a new site, must be examined before first use at each new site.
• Equipment must be examined before it is used again after damage, a long period out of use or a major modification.

Records you must keep

Under LOLER Regulation 11, you must keep thorough examination reports available for inspection. Reports must be retained until the equipment ceases to be used or for 2 years, whichever is longer. Keep these records on site where HSE inspectors can access them.

Common problems and how to avoid them

• Expired examination certificates. Check dates before every lift: HSE inspectors routinely ask for current certificates, and using equipment with an expired certificate breaches LOLER Regulation 9.
• No appointed person for routine lifts. Every crane lift needs an appointed person, not just complex or heavy lifts. Simple repetitive lifts can use a generic lift plan reviewed by the appointed person, but the role must still be formally assigned.
• Poor ground assessment for mobile cranes. Outrigger failure on poor ground is a common cause of crane collapse, so assess ground bearing capacity and use spreader plates or mats rated for the expected loading.
• Missing or invalid CPCS cards. Check cards before anyone operates a crane, attaches loads or supervises lifts; expired or wrong-category cards do not show competence.
• Overhead power line strikes. Check for overhead lines before positioning any crane, keep the safe distances in HSE guidance GS6, and use goal posts or physical barriers where practicable.

What to do next

If you are setting up lifting operations for a construction project:

• Confirm your appointed person is designated and holds a valid CPCS A61 card
• Verify that all crane operators and slinger/signallers hold current CPCS cards for the relevant equipment categories
• Check thorough examination certificates for every piece of lifting equipment and all lifting accessories before they are used on site
• Ensure your construction phase plan addresses lifting operations as CDM Schedule 3 particular risks
• Arrange for an independent competent person to carry out thorough examinations at the required intervals

For piling rig operations, the same LOLER duties apply. Piling rig operators must hold the CPCS category card for the type of rig they operate. Crane-mounted piling attachments must be included in the crane's thorough examination scheme.