LOLER & PUWER Inspections Northern Ireland
On-site lifting equipment examinations and work equipment inspections for businesses across Northern Ireland
JMH Services provides LOLER thorough examinations and PUWER inspection services for businesses in Northern Ireland, with particular coverage across Fermanagh, Tyrone, Armagh, County Down and surrounding areas.
Based in Monaghan, we provide on-site inspection services for businesses operating forklifts, telehandlers, cranes, hoists, MEWPs, lifting accessories and other work equipment.
If you’re responsible for workplace equipment and need to know what needs to be inspected, how often it needs to be examined or what documentation you should have, JMH Services can help.
Are Your Equipment Inspections Up to Date?
Keeping lifting equipment and work equipment safe isn’t just about arranging an inspection when a date comes around.
Businesses need to consider:
- What equipment they have
- How the equipment is being used
- Whether LOLER applies
- Whether PUWER applies
- When a thorough examination or inspection is required
- Whether previous defects have been addressed
- Whether appropriate records are available
- Whether operators have suitable information, instruction and training
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 (PUWER) apply to a wide range of work equipment and require equipment to be suitable, maintained in a safe condition and, in certain circumstances, inspected by a competent person.
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 (LOLER) apply additional requirements to lifting equipment and lifting operations, including periodic thorough examination.
LOLER & PUWER — What's the Difference?
LOLER and PUWER are separate regulations, although the same equipment can be affected by both.
| LOLER | PUWER |
|---|---|
| Lifting equipment and lifting operations | Work equipment generally |
| Thorough examination | Inspection where required |
| Lifting equipment | Machinery, tools, vehicles and other work equipment |
| Lifting accessories | Guards and safety devices |
| Safe lifting operations | Suitability and safe use |
| Competent person | Competent person where inspection is required |
HSENI explains that lifting equipment and lifting operations are subject to additional requirements under LOLER, while PUWER applies more broadly to work equipment.
Why this matters?
A piece of equipment doesn’t necessarily fall under just one regulation.
For example, a telehandler can be work equipment under PUWER and can also fall within LOLER when used for lifting operations.
HSENI specifically confirms that telescopic handlers fall under LOLER (NI) 1999 and require thorough examination at specified intervals depending on how the machine is used
LOLER Thorough Examination Northern Ireland
What Is a LOLER Thorough Examination?
A thorough examination is a systematic and detailed examination of lifting equipment carried out by a competent person to identify defects that could become dangerous.
LOLER (NI) 1999 places requirements on dutyholders to ensure lifting equipment is thoroughly examined at appropriate intervals and following certain circumstances.
The examination is intended to identify deterioration, defects or other issues that could affect the safe use of the equipment.
Equipment that may fall under LOLER includes:
- Forklift trucks
- Telehandlers
- Cranes
- Hoists
- MEWPs
- Lifting platforms
- Vehicle lifts
- Lifting beams
- Slings
- Chains
- Shackles
- Hooks
- Eyebolts
- Other lifting accessories
The exact requirements depend on the type of equipment and how it is used.
Important
A LOLER thorough examination is not the same thing as routine maintenance or servicing.
HSENI guidance states that lifting equipment must also be serviced and maintained appropriately under PUWER requirements
PUWER Inspections Northern Ireland
What Is a PUWER Inspection?
PUWER applies to a much wider range of equipment used at work.
This can include:
- Machinery
- Forklifts
- Power tools
- Drilling machines
- Production equipment
- Workshop machinery
- Vehicles
- Lifting equipment
- Agricultural equipment
- Construction equipment
- Other workplace equipment
Under PUWER, work equipment should be:
Suitable
Equipment should be suitable for the intended use and the conditions in which it is used.
Maintained
Equipment must be maintained in a safe condition so that people’s health and safety are not put at risk.
Inspected where required
Where inspection is necessary, it should be carried out by a competent person and records maintained.
Used by competent people
Employees should receive appropriate information, instruction and training for the equipment they use.
Provided with appropriate safety measures
This can include guards, protective devices, markings and warnings.
These requirements are set out by HSENI’s guidance on PUWER (NI) 1999
Serving Businesses Across Ireland & Northern Ireland
Based in County Monaghan, JMH Services provides services throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland
Monaghan
Cavan
Louth
Meath
Donegal
Fermanagh
Tyrone
Dublin
Armagh
Why Choose JMH Inspections
On-Site Service
We travel to customer premises, allowing equipment to be inspected where it is normally used and reducing unnecessary transport and disruption.
Based in Monaghan
JMH Services is based in County Monaghan, providing a convenient location for businesses in the border counties and surrounding areas of Northern Ireland.
Inspection & Training Services
JMH Services provides both equipment inspection and workplace training services, allowing businesses to work with one provider for multiple health and safety requirements.