What counts as a lifting accessory
LOLER defines an accessory for lifting as lifting equipment for attaching loads to machinery for lifting. A sling is an accessory. The crane it hangs from is lifting equipment. The distinction matters because the law gives them different intervals: 6 months for the accessory, and 12 months for most of the equipment above it.
HSE's code of practice lists slings, shackles, swivel or eye bolts, clamps, lifting magnets, vacuum lifters and lifting beams as accessories (paragraph 201). Each one belongs on the same asset register as the equipment it is used with, so that its examination date is tracked.
How often: every 6 months
Regulation 9(3) of LOLER requires lifting equipment exposed to conditions that cause dangerous deterioration to be thoroughly examined at least every 6 months for lifting persons or an accessory for lifting, and at least every 12 months for other lifting equipment. The other route is an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person, which can set intervals to suit how the equipment is used.
| When | What the regulations say |
|---|---|
| Before first use | Thoroughly examined before it is put into service, unless it is new and has a declaration of conformity under 12 months old (regulation 9(1)). |
| In service | At least every 6 months, or in line with an examination scheme (regulation 9(3)). |
| After exceptional circumstances | Each time something happens that could jeopardise its safety. HSE gives damage or failure, long periods out of use and major changes as examples. |
| When it changes hands | It must not leave your business, or be used in it if you got it from someone else, without physical evidence that its last required thorough examination was done (regulation 9(4)). |
What gets checked, accessory by accessory
A thorough examination depends on the competent person's professional judgement, and covers everything that affects safety, including likely deterioration with time. HSE says the methods include visual examination and functional checks, measurements of wear and, in some cases, non-destructive testing and load testing. HSE's approved code of practice for LOLER (L113) names the defects below as examples that should be identified in common accessories. It also expects the people who check accessories before use to be able to identify damage to lifting ropes and accessories, and other obvious faults (paragraph 290).
| Accessory | What HSE names | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Textile sling | Damaged, cut, abraded or stretched. | L113 paragraph 360(a) |
| Chain sling | Deformed or stretched links, and cracks. | L113 paragraph 360(b) |
| Wire rope sling | Broken wires and kinks. | L113 paragraph 360(c) |
| Eyebolt | Do not use if it is distorted or has damaged threads. | L113 paragraph 122 |
| Shackle | Distortion. HSE expects a trained operator to be able to spot distorted shackles before use. | L113 paragraph 290 |
| Hook | A safety catch fitted, or a shape that stops the sling slipping off. Where that is not possible, the throat of the hook can be secured by mousing. | L113 paragraphs 174 and 175 |
| Lifting beam, and any other accessory | Cracks and permanent deformation, corrosion of vital parts, excessive wear or failure of moving parts, and significant misalignment. | L113 paragraph 360 |
Your duties between examinations
- Check before use. HSE says accessories do not normally need formal inspection between examinations, provided they receive a thorough examination at the right interval and a proper pre-use check (L113 paragraph 352).
- Keep the marking readable. LOLER regulation 7 requires accessories to be marked with their safe working load, and marked so that the characteristics needed for safe use can be identified.
- Plan and supervise the lift. Regulation 8 requires every lifting operation to be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out safely.
- Check the load as well. Regulation 4 requires every part of a load, and anything attached to it and used in lifting it, to be of adequate strength.
- Stop using anything with a notified defect. Once an examiner has told you about a defect, the accessory stays out of use until it is put right (regulation 10(3)).
Keep a register of every accessory with its marking, where it lives and its examination due date. Our LOLER compliance checklist has a page of questions to check your register against.
What the report must contain
The competent person must make a written report, authenticated by them or on their behalf, as soon as practicable. It goes to you, and to anyone who hired or leased the equipment to you. Schedule 1 of LOLER lists 11 items it must include. The ones you will use most are:
| Item | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|
| Particulars that identify the equipment, with its date of manufacture where known | Ties the report to one accessory, which is why unmarked accessories cause trouble. |
| Safe working load | The figure the examiner confirmed. |
| Any defect that is or could become a danger, with a description | Tells you what stays out of use. |
| Repair, renewal or alteration required, and the time by which a developing defect could become dangerous | Gives you the deadline for the fix. |
| The latest date by which the next thorough examination must be carried out | Your next due date. Put it in the register and your diary. |
| Date of the examination, and the name, address and qualifications of the person making the report | Shows who examined it and when. |
Where a defect involves an existing or imminent risk of serious personal injury, the examiner must also send a copy of the report to the relevant enforcing authority (regulation 10(1)(c)).
How we examine lifting accessories
Fox Engineering Safety carries out LOLER thorough examinations of lifting accessories, from slings and chains to shackles, lifting beams, spreader beams and eyebolts. A competent person makes the examination, and the written report records the particulars required by LOLER Schedule 1. Reports are delivered digitally through our customer portal, so your certificates are to hand when an auditor asks.
We examine lifting equipment and do not sell, hire or repair it. Because we have nothing to sell you, a sling passes or fails on its condition. The rest of our LOLER service, including cranes, forklifts and platforms, is on the LOLER 1998 Thorough Examinations page. For what it costs, see how much a LOLER inspection costs.
Sources
Duties, intervals and definitions on this page come from the legislation and HSE guidance listed here. Read the original when you need the exact wording.
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) Regulations 2, 7, 9, 10 and 11, and Schedule 1.
- LOLER Schedule 1: information to be contained in a report of a thorough examination
- HSE: Thorough examinations and inspections of lifting equipment Source for the guidance on accessories, testing and competent persons.
- HSE approved code of practice L113: Safe use of lifting equipment (free PDF) Paragraphs 122, 174, 175, 201, 288 to 290, 352 and 360 are cited above.