Industrial Health and Safety: Materials Handling Equipment
Work and Pensions
Written answers and statements, 29 October 2009
Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside, Labour)
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what qualifications persons carrying out pre-use checks on cranes are required to hold; and if she will make a statement.
Jonathan R Shaw (Minister of State (Disabled People), Regional Affairs; Chatham & Aylesford, Labour)
holding answer
Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998, a thorough examination of a crane is required before first use, and thereafter at least every 12 months (six months if the crane is used for carrying people) unless alteration, damage or any other conditions make an increased frequency of examination necessary. The examination must be carried out by a competent person who is appropriately qualified and experienced.
The Approved Code of Practice under LOLER requires that the person carrying out the thorough examination has appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the lifting equipment to be thoroughly examined, but does not specify particular qualifications to be held by the competent person.