What is LOLER Testing?

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) is a legal requirement for thorough examination of Arboricultural equipment, carried out by a qualified inspector. You should have your equipment inspected by an independent LOLER inspector at regular intervals. Primarily it’s a legal obligation for work but mainly it just makes good sense to have somebody independent inspect your kit to make sure that it is still OK to use.

How often do LOLER tests need to be done?

LOLER tests should be carried out every 6 months on climbing equipment and every 12 months on rigging equipment or if there have been any “exceptional circumstances” which may have compromised the safety of the equipment, e.g. if it is damaged or fails, is out of use for long periods, or if there is a major change in how it is used which is likely to affect its integrity. 

Before the LOLER Inspection:

• Present an equipment log and/or previous LOLER inspection reports.
• Gather your instructions which came with your kit to be inspected (receipts etc}
• Ensure your material items have markings (any items with no markings cannot be inspected)
• Keep ends of ropes if you’ve cut them off so markings can be matched up where possible and there is a clear link to both parts
• Please ensure the kit and bag are clean/dry and debris-free before presenting for inspection
• Please take all equipment apart, undo all knots, etc.
• Please ensure you only include LOLER items in your kit bag i.e. no wedges, spikes, saws, throwlines etc.

Marking of Lifting Equipment 

All lifting equipment, including accessories, must be clearly marked to indicate their ‘safe working loads’ (SWL) – the maximum load the equipment can safely lift. Examples requiring this in arboriculture include:
ropes, slings, karabiners, strops, and harnesses for rope access; rigging system equipment, particularly to show it is not designed to carry people.

It is possible that some items may fail inspection due to faulty/unsafe consumable parts or due to needing a service/repair, examples of this are:

• Harness failing due to delaminated bridge or age
• Rope grab failing due to the safety wire missing or worn
• Rope failing due to abrasion, flattening, melting/burns
• Karabiners failing due to needing a service / lubrication / deformation / gate mechanism issues
• Contaminated i.e. chemicals, fuel

Re-LOLER: We offer the Re-LOLER of failed items retesting at further cost.
If some items fail inspection and it is then corrected / repaired, the item can then be brought back for a second inspection and a new certificate for the repaired items will be issued.

Basic climbing kit inspection (up to 15 items including 2 ropes & 1 harness)

Basic rigging kit inspection (up to 12 items including 1 rope)