What are the specific risks for lifting equipment?

Risk of injury arising from the use of lifting equipment in the University including passenger and goods, lifts, work at height, MEWPs and pallet trucks.

All managers, lecturer or other members of staff planning to introduce an activity which involves the use of lifting equipment will be required to undertake risk assessments, as appropriate, in accordance with the University’s procedures governing PUWER (Provision and Use of Working Equipment Regulations) and risk assessment.

Organisation of lifting operations

All managers, lecturers and / or other members of staff are required to ensure that all lifting operations are:

• Properly planned by a competent person (the person has adequate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of lifting operations), the plan must address identified risks, resources required, procedures, responsibilities and any other relevant consideration
• Appropriately supervised (proportionate to the risk, taking into account the personnel involved)
• Carried out in a safe manner.

It is a requirement of LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) that those Faculties, departments, and services within the University who own and operate lifting equipment make it available for regular inspection and implement any recommendations made by the competent person.

The current University standards are available LOLER Policy - Draft Feb 2018

There is also a homepage that lists the range of Health and Safety risks identified as relevant to the University's activities and facilities, together with information on the University's policies and arrangements on how these risks are to be managed and controlled.