Stillages and LOLER Compliance: A Guide for Employers.

In an era where safety and regulatory compliance are of paramount importance, ensuring your stillages are in line with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) can seem a daunting task. As Lowe Stillages and Cages, a leading provider of high-quality stillages, we understand the challenges employers face in meeting these regulatory standards.

LOLER regulations are designed to ensure that lifting operations are performed safely, and all lifting equipment, including stillages, are fit for purpose, appropriate for the task, suitably maintained, and safe to use. In this blog post, we’ve highlighted five crucial steps that employers can take to ensure their stillages comply with LOLER regulations.

Thorough Examinations

First and foremost, arrange regular thorough examinations of stillages by a competent person or organisation, as mandated by LOLER. These assessments should focus on the structural integrity, safety features, and overall compliance of the stillages with LOLER standards.

Compliance Audits

Periodically conducting compliance audits is an excellent way to verify that your stillages are being used and maintained in accordance with LOLER. These audits involve reviewing records, documentation, and inspection reports, ensuring a continual commitment to LOLER regulations.

Training and Competence

As an employer, it’s your responsibility to provide comprehensive training to employees who operate or handle stillages. Employees should understand the relevant LOLER regulations and the proper procedures to ensure safe operations. It’s also important to verify and document the competence of these individuals, maintaining records of their training and qualifications.

Risk Assessments

Conducting regular risk assessments specifically addressing stillage operations is vital to identifying potential hazards. Risks may include improper stacking, overloading, or inadequate securing of stillages. After identifying these risks, implement appropriate control measures to mitigate them, fostering a safer work environment.

Maintenance and Record-Keeping

Finally, establishing a comprehensive maintenance program for your stillages is key to maintaining their integrity and ensuring they continue to meet LOLER standards. Regular inspections, timely repairs, and consistent maintenance activities should be the backbone of this program. Additionally, detailed records of all maintenance, inspections, and any repairs carried out on the stillages should be kept to demonstrate compliance with LOLER.

By adhering to these five steps, you as an employer can ensure your stillages are maintained, operated, and used in a manner that complies with LOLER regulations. However, remember that the specific requirements of LOLER may vary depending on your location and industry. Therefore, it is recommended to consult the relevant LOLER regulations applicable to your location and seek professional advice from health and safety experts or legal professionals familiar with LOLER.