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What this means for your business

40 obligations

32 penalties

32 can imprison

10 guides

Enforced by: HSE, ONR
Applies to: United Kingdom
On this page: 40 compliance obligations, 10 practical guides across 3 topics

Read full text on legislation.gov.uk

What you must do

40 compliance obligations under this legislation — 32 can result in imprisonment.

Equipment and safety 17

If a thorough examination or inspection identifies a defect that could be dangerous, you must stop using that crane, hoist or any other lifting plant until the defect is repaired. You must act on the written report you receive and, where a serious risk is flagged, cooperate with the HSE.

Employer s.10 HSE When the employer is notified of a defect in lifting equipment by …

You must make sure any lifting plant you use can safely carry the loads you put on it, and that the loads themselves and anything attached are strong enough. This means checking the equipment’s capacity and the stresses at its mounting point, as well as verifying the strength of every part of the load before each lift.

Employer s.4 HSE Whenever lifting equipment is used (for each lift)

You must make sure any lifting plant you use can safely handle the loads you put on it, including the point where it’s mounted, and that the loads themselves and anything attached are strong enough. This means checking specifications, testing where required and only using equipment that meets those strength and stability standards.

Employer s.4 HSE

You must make sure any crane, hoist, forklift, sling or other lifting equipment you use can safely carry the load you put on it, especially where it is fixed or mounted. The same applies to the items you are lifting – every part of the load must be strong enough for the lift. In practice this means checking specifications, load charts and doing strength calculations before each lift and keeping the supporting paperwork.

Employer s.4 HSE

You must make sure any lifting plant you use can safely carry the load you put on it, paying particular attention to the stress at the point where the equipment is mounted or fixed. You also need to check that every part of the load and anything attached to it is strong enough for the lift. This is an ongoing responsibility for every lift you carry out.

Employer s.4 HSE

You must make sure any plant that lifts people cannot crush, trap, strike or let the person fall. The equipment must have devices to stop a carrier falling, and if the site makes that impossible you must use a stronger safety rope or chain and have it checked by a competent person every working day. This keeps both the user and anyone trapped in the carrier safe.

Employer s.5 HSE

If you run lifting equipment that moves people (e.g., lifts, passenger hoists, aerial work platforms), you must make sure it is designed and fitted so users cannot be crushed, trapped, struck or fall. The equipment must also have devices to stop the carrier falling, and where site conditions make this impossible you must use a stronger safety rope or chain and have it checked every working day by a competent person.

Employer s.5 HSE When your business uses lifting equipment for lifting persons

If your business uses lifts, hoists or other lifting gear, you must make sure that the equipment can safely handle any load you intend to lift. The machinery must not only have the right load‑rating but also be fitted securely, so the mounting points can take the stresses it generates. This is a day‑to‑day check that every lift you carry out must be safe before you start.

Employer s.4 HSE Whenever lifting equipment is used to move a load

If you use equipment to lift people, you must make sure it is designed and maintained so nobody can be crushed, trapped, struck or fall from the carrier. Where the risk of a carrier falling cannot be eliminated, you must fit an enhanced‑strength rope or chain and have it checked by a competent person every working day.

Employer s.5 HSE

You must put clear labels on every piece of lifting machinery and its accessories showing how much weight they can safely lift. If a lift's capacity changes with its configuration, you need a label for each set‑up or keep the relevant information with the equipment. Also, label any equipment designed for lifting people, and clearly mark equipment that must NOT be used to lift people.

Employer s.7 HSE

As an employer you must make sure every piece of lifting plant – cranes, hoists, slings, hooks and any accessories – is clearly labelled with its safe working load (SWL). If the load limit changes with the equipment’s configuration you must either label each configuration or keep a document with the SWL attached. You also need clear labels showing whether the equipment is designed to lift people or not, to prevent accidental misuse.

Employer s.7 HSE

You must make sure every piece of lifting machinery and its accessories is clearly labelled with its safe working load (SWL). If the load changes with the equipment’s configuration, either label each configuration or keep the SWL details with the equipment. You also need to label accessories so their safe‑use characteristics are obvious, and clearly mark equipment that is (or isn’t) suitable for lifting people.

Employer s.7 HSE

If you own or operate lifting plant, you must make sure every crane, hoist, chain, sling or any accessory is clearly labelled with its safe working load. When a lift's capacity changes because of how it’s set up, you must either label each configuration or keep the load information with the equipment. Equipment for lifting people must be marked as such, and any equipment that could be mistakenly used to lift people must be marked as not suitable for persons.

Employer s.7 HSE

You must make sure every crane, hoist, chain, sling or other lifting machine and its accessories carry a clear label showing the safe working load. If the load changes with how the equipment is set up, either label each configuration or keep the load information with the equipment. Also label any equipment that can lift people, and clearly mark equipment that is NOT suitable for lifting people.

Employer s.7 HSE

You must make sure any crane, hoist, lift or other lifting plant is set up so it cannot hit people or cause the load to drift, fall or be released unintentionally. You also need to install suitable guards or other devices that stop anyone falling down a shaft or hoistway. In practice this means planning the layout, using barriers or safe mounting points and keeping records that the installation remains safe.

Employer s.6 HSE

You must make sure any lifting plant you use is placed and installed so that the chance of it or its load hitting someone, drifting, falling, or being released unintentionally is reduced as far as reasonably possible. You also need to fit suitable guards or safety devices to stop anyone falling down a shaft or hoistway.

Employer s.6 HSE

When your business lifts people, you must make sure the lifters are safe. They should stop anyone from being trapped, crushed or falling, and the lift itself should be checked every day if it could fall anyway due to the site or height. This keeps staff and anyone on the carrier protected while they work.

Employer s.5 HSE lifting a person with a lifting carrier

Inspections 5

You must have all lifting equipment checked for defects before you first use it, after it’s installed, and regularly thereafter (at least every 6 months for equipment that lifts people and every 12 months for other equipment, or as set out in your examination scheme). Any time there’s an incident, you move the equipment to a new site, or you suspect damage, you must arrange another thorough examination. Between these examinations a competent person must also inspect the equipment and you must keep evidence of the latest examination when the equipment is transferred or used.

Employer s.9 HSE when you use lifting equipment in your business

You must have every piece of lifting equipment checked for defects before you first use it, after it is installed or moved to a new location, and then regularly – at least every 6 months for equipment that lifts people (or accessories) and every 12 months for all other lifting gear, or whenever something unusual happens that could affect safety. You also need to keep the examination certificate or other proof with the equipment so you can show it has been checked.

Employer s.9 HSE When lifting equipment is first put into service, after installation or relocation, …

You must have all lifting equipment checked for defects before it is first used, after it is installed or moved, and at regular intervals (at least every 6 months for equipment that lifts people and every 12 months for other equipment). If anything unusual happens that could affect safety, an extra examination is required. Between these thorough checks you may also need a competent‑person inspection to spot any deterioration early.

Employer s.9 HSE When lifting equipment is first put into service, after installation or relocation, …

You must have all lifting equipment checked for defects before you first use it, after it’s installed or moved to a new site, and then at regular intervals (at least every 6 months for equipment that lifts people or accessories and every 12 months for other plant). The checks must be done by a competent person and you must keep the examination certificates as proof.

Employer s.9 HSE When lifting equipment is first put into service, after installation or assembly …

You must have all lifting equipment checked for safety before it is first used, after it is installed or moved to a new location, and at regular intervals – at least every 6 months for equipment that lifts people (or accessories) and every 12 months for other lifting gear, or whenever conditions could cause deterioration. Between these thorough examinations you also need inspections by a competent person, and you must keep proof that the latest examination has been carried out before the equipment is used or moved.

Employer s.9 HSE when lifting equipment is first put into service, after installation or relocation, …

Management duties 12

If you are told that any lifting equipment is defective and could endanger people, you must keep that equipment out of service until the fault is fixed (or, where a specific time limit applies, until that time has passed and the fault is fixed). This means arranging repairs promptly and making sure no one uses the equipment in the meantime.

Employer s.10 HSE When the employer is notified of a defect that is or could …

If a lifting device is found to be defective, you must stop using it straight away, have the fault fixed before it can be used again and keep a written record of the finding. The person who examined the equipment must tell you immediately about any danger and provide a written report, and if the fault could cause serious injury a copy of that report must be sent to the appropriate enforcing authority.

Employer s.10 HSE When a thorough examination or inspection identifies a defect that could be …

If you use any lift, platform, crane or similar to carry people, you must make sure the equipment is designed so users cannot be crushed, trapped, struck or fall. It must have devices to stop the carrier falling and allow a trapped person to be freed. Where site or height conditions mean the fall risk cannot be removed, you must fit a higher‑strength rope or chain and have it checked every working day by a competent person.

Employer s.5 HSE

As an employer you must make sure any lifting plant is placed and installed so the risk of it or its load hitting someone, drifting, falling or being released unintentionally is reduced as far as reasonably possible. You also need to fit appropriate devices that stop people falling down shafts or hoistways.

Employer s.6 HSE

You must set up any lifting machines so they cannot hit people, drift, fall freely or be released by mistake, and you must also fit suitable safety devices to stop anyone falling down a shaft or hoistway. In practice this means planning the layout, checking installation and keeping the protective devices maintained.

Employer s.6 HSE

You must arrange and install any lifting plant so that it is as low‑risk as reasonably possible – avoiding people being struck, loads drifting, falling or being released unintentionally. You also need to fit suitable guards or other devices to stop anyone falling down a shaft or hoistway.

Employer s.6 HSE

If you employ people and use lifting equipment, you must make sure every lift is properly planned by a competent person, correctly supervised and carried out safely. This means appointing someone with the right knowledge to design the lift plan, overseeing the work and ensuring safe practice each time a lift is performed.

Employer s.8 HSE any lifting operation involving lifting equipment

Whenever you use lifting equipment to move a load, you must make sure the lift is planned by someone who knows what they’re doing, that it is properly supervised on site, and that it is carried out safely. This means having a competent person produce a lift plan, monitoring the work while it happens, and taking steps to prevent accidents.

Employer s.8 HSE When a lifting operation involving lifting equipment is performed

You must make sure every lift that uses lifting equipment is properly planned by a competent person, supervised while it’s carried out, and done safely. This means having a lift plan, designating a qualified planner, and keeping supervision records until the lift is completed.

Employer s.8 HSE when a lifting operation involving lifting equipment is performed

You must make sure every job that uses lifting equipment is properly planned by someone with the right skills, supervised appropriately, and carried out safely. This means arranging competent planning, overseeing the work, and checking that the lift is done without risk to people or property.

Employer s.8 HSE Whenever a lifting operation involving lifting equipment is carried out

You must make sure that any work using lifting equipment is properly planned by someone with the right competence, that the work is adequately supervised, and that it is carried out safely. This means putting a competent person in charge of the lift plan, providing supervision on site, and checking that safe working methods are followed for every lift.

Employer s.8 HSE

If a thorough exam of your lifting plant finds a defect that could be dangerous, you must be told straight away, receive a written report, and keep the equipment out of use until it is fixed. Where the defect could cause serious injury you must also make sure a copy of the report is sent to the relevant enforcing authority as soon as possible.

Employer s.10 HSE When a thorough examination or inspection of lifting equipment identifies a defect …

Record keeping 5

If your business uses lifting equipment covered by LOLER, you must retain the EC declaration of conformity and any examination or defect reports for the periods set out in the regulations – usually until the equipment is no longer used or for a defined number of years. These documents must be kept in a way that they can be shown to an inspector when required.

Employer s.11 HSE When you acquire lifting equipment that falls under LOLER and receive an …

If your business uses lifting equipment covered by LOLER, you must retain the EC declaration of conformity for as long as you operate that equipment. You also need to keep all examination and inspection reports (and any defect records) available for the periods set out in the regulation – usually until you stop using the equipment, for two years, or until the next report is made. This lets you show the records to inspectors if they ask.

Employer s.11 HSE when you have lifting equipment that falls under LOLER and receive an …

If you own or use lifting equipment covered by LOLER, you must retain the EC declaration of conformity and any examination or defect reports for the length of time set out in the regulations. This means keeping the declaration as long as you operate the plant, and keeping reports for as long as you use the equipment (or two years for certain accessories) so that they can be shown to inspectors when required.

Employer s.11 HSE when you obtain or use lifting equipment that falls under LOLER

If your business owns or uses lifting equipment covered by LOLER, you must keep the EC declaration of conformity for as long as you operate the equipment. You also need to retain all thorough‑examination reports and related records for the periods set out in the regulation and have them ready for HSE inspection.

Employer s.11 HSE When you own, operate or have responsibility for lifting equipment subject to …

If you use lifting equipment that is covered by LOLER, you must keep the EC declaration of conformity for as long as you operate that equipment. You also have to store all inspection reports and defect records for the periods set out in the regulations and make them available for inspection when requested.

Employer s.11 HSE When you own, rent or otherwise use lifting equipment that falls under …

Reporting and filing 1

When a lifting‑equipment inspection or thorough examination finds a problem that could be dangerous, you must be told straight away, receive a written report and, if the risk is serious, have a copy sent to the enforcing authority. You must also make sure the equipment is not used again until the defect is repaired.

Employer s.10 HSE Whenever a thorough examination or inspection of lifting equipment reveals a defect …