UK Statutory Instrument 1998 United Kingdom

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

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At a glance

Enforced by

HSE, ONR

What's here

37 compliance obligations, 13 practical guides across 3 topics · 5 journeys

Penalty landscape

25 of 37 obligations carry up to 2 years imprisonment. 12 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.

Who this Act binds

Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.

  • Employer 37

Step-by-step journeys using this legislation

Walkthroughs that take you from a real business situation to compliance.

Relevant guidance

Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.

Direct — cites this Act

5 guides

Supporting — topic alignment

8 guides
View all 13 guides →

Other Acts binding the same actors

For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.

Employers also bound by 171 other Acts (top 5 shown)

What this Act requires

Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.

Schedules

Browse 2 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
s.004

Strength and stability

2 years imprisonment
  • Ensure lifting equipment and loads are strong and stable Employer
  • Ensure lifting equipment and loads are strong enough Employer
  • Ensure lifting equipment and loads are strong enough for the work Employer
s.005

Lifting equipment for lifting persons

2 years imprisonment
  • Ensure lifting equipment for persons is safe and inspected daily Employer
  • Ensure lifting equipment used for people is safe and secure Employer
  • Ensure safe lifting equipment for persons and daily rope inspection Employer
s.006

Positioning and installation

2 years imprisonment
  • Ensure safe positioning and installation of lifting equipment Employer
  • Position lifting equipment safely and fit fall‑prevention devices Employer
  • Position lifting equipment safely and provide fall‑prevention devices Employer
  • Safely position and install lifting equipment Employer
  • Ensure safe positioning of lifting equipment and provide fall‑prevention devices Employer
s.007

Marking of lifting equipment

2 years imprisonment
  • Clearly mark lifting equipment with safe working loads Employer
  • Mark lifting equipment and accessories with safe working loads Employer
  • Mark lifting equipment with its safe working load Employer
  • Mark lifting equipment with safe load and usage information Employer
  • Mark lifting equipment with safe working loads Employer
  • Mark lifting equipment with safe working loads and usage details Employer
s.008

Organisation of lifting operations

2 years imprisonment
  • Plan and supervise all lifting operations safely Employer
  • Plan, supervise and carry out safe lifting operations Employer
  • Plan, supervise and ensure safe lifting operations Employer
  • Plan, supervise and safely carry out lifting operations Employer
  • Plan, supervise and safely execute all lifting operations Employer
s.009

Thorough examination and inspection

2 years imprisonment
  • Ensure lifting equipment is thoroughly examined and inspected Employer
  • Ensure thorough examination and inspection of lifting equipment Employer
  • Thoroughly examine and inspect lifting equipment Employer
s.010

Reports and defects

2 years imprisonment
  • Do not use lifting equipment with known defects Employer
  • Do not use lifting equipment with a known dangerous defect Employer
  • Stop using defective lifting equipment and report defects promptly Employer
  • Stop use of defective lifting equipment and rectify faults Employer
  • Stop using lifting equipment if a dangerous defect is reported Employer
  • Report lifting‑equipment defects and stop use until fixed Employer
s.011

Keeping of information

2 years imprisonment
  • Keep and maintain lifting equipment records and safety reports Employer
  • Keep lifting equipment declarations and examination reports Employer
  • Keep lifting‑equipment declarations and inspection reports on file Employer
  • Keep lifting equipment documents for the required period Employer
  • Keep lifting equipment safety records and certificates Employer
  • Maintain and make available lifting‑equipment records Employer
Browse 9 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Read the full Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)

Official guidance

Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.

Enforcement and responsible bodies

The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.

HSE

Primary

Health and Safety Executive

Workplace health, safety, and welfare regulation across all industries. Enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related regulations. Investigates …

ONR

Office for Nuclear Regulation

Independent regulator for nuclear safety and security. Issues nuclear site licences. Regulates nuclear installations, transport, and safeguards.

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