Construction & Property

Crane and lifting operations for structural work

LOLER 1998 requirements for crane and lifting operations on construction sites. Covers appointed persons, lift planning, thorough examination intervals, and competency requirements for crane operators, slinger/signallers, and piling rig operators.

UK-wide
Guide summary

You must follow LOLER rules when using cranes or lifting equipment on construction sites. Plan lifts carefully, check equipment regularly, and ensure all workers are trained. Failure to comply can result in unlimited fines or prison.

  • Plan every lift with a written lift plan
  • Check lifting equipment every 6 months (12 months if not lifting people)
  • Use trained workers with CPCS cards for cranes and lifting
  • Report equipment defects to HSE immediately if dangerous
  • Keep examination records for at least 2 years
  • Check equipment after damage or major changes
  • Have a supervisor present during lifts
  • Follow BS 7121 standards for safe crane use
  • Ensure ground conditions can support the crane
  • Avoid overhead hazards like power lines
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UK-wide

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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.

This guide explains your duties under LOLER and what you must do 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.

  1. 1

    1. Designate an appointed person for each lifting operation

    Appoint a competent person responsible for planning the lift. The appointed person must hold a CPCS Appointed Person card (Category A61) and have relevant experience with the type of crane and lift being planned. They assess hazards, select the crane, and approve the rigging arrangement before the lift proceeds.

  2. 2

    2. Prepare a written lift plan

    The appointed person must produce a lift plan for each operation covering: load weight, centre of gravity, and rigging arrangement; crane capacity at the required radius; ground conditions and outrigger setup; proximity hazards including overhead power lines, adjacent structures, and public areas; wind speed limits; and communication arrangements between operator, slinger/signaller, and supervisor. Follow BS 7121 Code of Practice for Safe Use of Cranes.

  3. 3

    3. Verify crane competency cards for all personnel

    Before any lifting operation, check that all personnel hold valid CPCS cards for their role: crane operator (A04 tower crane, A60 mobile crane, or A02 crawler crane), slinger/signaller (A40), and appointed person (A61). Red Trained Operator Cards are valid for 2 years; Blue Competent Operator Cards for 5 years.

  4. 4

    4. Check thorough examination certificates are current

    Before using any lifting equipment, confirm the thorough examination certificate is within date. Equipment lifting persons and lifting accessories (slings, chains, shackles) require examination every 6 months. All other lifting equipment requires examination every 12 months. A tower crane must also be examined before first use at each new site where safety depends on installation conditions.

  5. 5

    5. Appoint a crane supervisor for the duration of the lift

    A crane supervisor must be present during the lifting operation to ensure the lift plan is followed and to stop the lift immediately if conditions change or unexpected hazards arise. The supervisor monitors wind speed, ground conditions, load behaviour, and exclusion zones throughout the operation.

  6. 6

    6. Report any defects found during examination

    If the competent person carrying out a thorough examination identifies a defect that is or could become a danger, they must notify you immediately. If the defect involves an existing or imminent risk of serious personal injury, the competent person must also notify the HSE directly. Do not use the equipment until the defect is rectified.

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 lifting persons (e.g. passenger/goods hoists): every 6 months
  • Lifting accessories (slings, chains, shackles, eyebolts): every 6 months
  • All other lifting equipment (cranes, piling rigs, material hoists): every 12 months. Concrete placing booms are also examined every 12 months under industry schemes (LOLER applies only where the boom lifts loads)
  • After installation at a new site: before first use where safety depends on installation (e.g. tower cranes re-erected on a new site)
  • After exceptional circumstances: before next use following damage, prolonged period out of use, or 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 during site visits. Operating with an expired certificate is a breach of LOLER Regulation 9.
  • No appointed person for routine lifts: Every crane lift requires 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.
  • Inadequate ground assessment for mobile cranes: Outrigger failure due to poor ground conditions is a common cause of crane collapse. Assess ground bearing capacity and use spreader plates or mats rated for the expected loading.
  • Missing or invalid CPCS cards: Check cards before allowing anyone to operate cranes, attach loads, or supervise lifts. Expired or wrong-category cards do not demonstrate competence.
  • Overhead power line strikes: Check for overhead lines before positioning any crane. Maintain safe distances as specified in HSE guidance GS6. 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 relevant CPCS piling rig category card (A30 for tripod rigs; A45 to A48 for driven and bored rigs). Crane-mounted piling attachments must be included in the crane's thorough examination scheme.

Official guidance on GOV.UK and HSE