What Is LOLER in Health and Social Care?

LOLER stands for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. These regulations are an important part of health and safety law across the UK. In the health and social care sector, LOLER applies to a broad range of activities involving lifting or lowering people or loads using equipment. Its aim is to prevent injury during lifting operations, whether for staff, service users, or visitors.

LOLER sits alongside other health and safety rules, but its focus is specifically on lifting equipment and the way it is used. The regulations affect care homes, nursing homes, hospitals, domiciliary care, day centres, and community services. They impact anyone working with people who may need help moving or who rely on specialist equipment for mobility and safe transfers.

What is the Purpose of LOLER?

LOLER’s core purpose is to reduce the risk of injury during lifting operations. Lifting operations are any tasks that involve raising or lowering a load. In care settings, this nearly always means lifting people who cannot move themselves independently.

The regulations exist to safeguard the welfare of everyone in the care environment. LOLER requires employers, service providers, and those in control of equipment to take specific actions to make lifting as safe as possible.

It answers vital questions such as:

• Is the lifting equipment safe and suitable?
• Are lifting operations planned properly?
• Have risks been assessed and controlled?
• Is equipment regularly inspected and maintained?
• Are staff trained to use lifting equipment safely?

The Scope of Lifting Equipment

Lifting equipment in health and social care covers a wide selection of devices used to help people move and transfer with dignity and safety.

LOLER applies to:

• Mobile hoists (manual or electric)
• Ceiling track hoists
• Bathing hoists and bath lifts
• Stand aids and transfer aids
• Patient slings and harnesses
• Lifting platforms
• Stair lifts
• Wheelchair lifts

Other equipment, such as some adjustable beds or recliner chairs, might also come under LOLER if they are used in a way that lifts or lowers people as the main part of their function.

Accessories, such as slings and spreader bars, are also included as “lifting accessories.”

Duties of Employers Under LOLER

Employers and organisations who control lifting equipment are under clear obligations. They must:

• Make sure lifting operations are planned and supervised by competent people
• Assess risks before each operation
• Use only lifting equipment that is suitable for the task and for the person being lifted
• Carry out regular inspections and thorough examinations by a qualified person
• Remove defective or unsafe equipment from use at once

No item of lifting equipment should be used unless it is in a safe condition, suitable for the person, and the task at hand.

Planning and Supervision of Lifting Operations

Every lifting operation must be properly planned in advance. This means thinking about:

• The person being lifted (weight, mobility, comfort)
• The right equipment for their needs
• The environment (space, obstacles, flooring, lighting)
• The number of staff required for the lift
• Any communication needs, such as non-verbal signals

LOLER demands that lifting can only be carried out by people who are competent and who have received appropriate instruction and supervision. This applies regardless of whether the lifting happens once a year or several times daily.

Key points for planning:

• Staff must know the correct moving and handling techniques
• Teamwork and clear communication are needed throughout the lift
• Equipment must be checked before each use

Inspection and Thorough Examination

One of LOLER’s most well-known requirements is the “thorough examination”—a detailed safety inspection by a competent person.

• This examination is separate from routine maintenance.
• It must be carried out at least every 6 months for equipment used to lift people, or more often if the manufacturer recommends.
• Slings and lifting accessories must also be thoroughly examined every 6 months.
• A written report must be produced and kept as evidence.

A competent person for LOLER examinations is someone with sufficient training, knowledge, and experience to identify safety issues and assess risks—usually a specialist technician or engineer.

Routine checks should still be carried out by staff before and after each use:

• Check for visible damage, such as frayed slings or snapped parts
• Report and remove any equipment with damage from use straight away

Record Keeping and Reporting

LOLER states that thorough examination reports must be kept:

• For at least two years, or until the next report, whichever is longer
• In a place where they can be accessed easily by managers, inspectors, or anyone who needs to see them

The report must detail any defects found and actions taken.

If lifting equipment is found to be unsafe, it must not be used, and the issue must be reported to the appropriate people without delay.

Compatibility and Suitability

Lifting equipment and accessories, such as slings, must always be compatible. It is common in care settings to have “mix-and-match” equipment from different manufacturers—this can increase risk if components are not designed to work safely together.

LOLER requires:

• Using the sling or accessory recommended by the manufacturer for that specific hoist
• Careful labelling and storage of slings and accessories
• Individual risk assessments for every service user who needs lifting

Suitability also covers the comfort and dignity of the person being lifted. A poorly chosen sling or incorrect hoist can cause pain, embarrassment, or even serious harm.

Training Requirements Under LOLER

Staff must be trained before they use any lifting equipment. LOLER is clear that only competent people should carry out lifting operations.

Training covers:

• How to use hoists, slings, and other lifting aids safely
• How to carry out basic checks before using equipment
• Safe moving and handling techniques
• What to do if something goes wrong

Training should be practical, as well as theoretical, and updated regularly.

Supervision is needed for new staff or anyone unsure about equipment use. Managers should regularly check that staff are confident and using equipment properly.

Service Users and Informed Consent

In care settings, people who use services are often those being lifted. Treating them with dignity, explaining what will happen, and seeking their informed consent is essential.

Key points for involving service users:

• Explain the lifting procedure in language they understand
• Check for any discomfort or anxiety before, during, and after the lift
• Ask their preferences for equipment, positioning, or staff wherever possible

If a service user cannot consent, staff must involve family carers or advocates and use the best interests decision process.

Agency and Temporary Staff

Health and social care often relies on temporary or agency workers. Everyone is covered by LOLER, regardless of their employment status.

• All agency and temporary staff need to be shown local equipment, receive appropriate training, and have their competency checked
• Staff should never operate lifting equipment unless they are fully trained and supervised if needed.

Shortcuts here can lead to accidents, injuries, and prosecution.

Common Hazards and Accidents Linked to Lifting

Unsafe lifting can cause:

• Dropping a service user, leading to serious injury or worse
• Staff injuries, such as sprains, strains, or broken bones
• Damage to equipment, making future lifts more hazardous
• Emotional distress for staff and service users

Common hazards in health and social care include:

• Using the wrong sling or hoist for the service user
• Attempting to lift with faulty or poorly maintained equipment
• Skipping safety checks due to workload or time pressures
• Inadequate training or supervision

LOLER directly addresses these risks by setting clear, legal requirements every organisation must follow.

Enforcement and Inspection

Regulators such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) check that care providers meet LOLER standards during inspections. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors can investigate incidents or concerns linked to lifting.

Enforcement actions for failing LOLER can include:

• Improvement notices which must be acted on by a deadline
• Fixed penalties or fines
• Prosecution in serious cases

Inspectors may look at equipment records, watch staff carry out lifts, review training files, and speak to people receiving care about their experiences.

Practical Benefits and Positive Outcomes

Safe lifting operation is not just about following law—it brings real benefits in a care environment such as:

• Fewer incidents involving staff injuries or service user harm
• Better staff confidence and wellbeing
• Greater trust from families and the public
• Increased dignity and comfort for those receiving care
• Longer lifespan and reliability of equipment through good maintenance

Good Practice Checklist

Staff and managers can review their LOLER compliance with this checklist:

• All hoists and slings are labelled with inspection dates and safe working loads
• Equipment is kept clean, undamaged, and stored safely
• Every lift is risk assessed and planned
• Thorough examinations are carried out at least every 6 months
• Users of equipment receive training and regular refreshers
• Service users’ needs and preferences are respected
• Faulty or unsafe equipment is withdrawn immediately and reported

Final Thoughts

LOLER establishes a framework for safety, dignity, and care in every lifting operation. Everyone in the setting has a role in creating a safe environment, from frontline carers to managers and maintenance staff. By understanding LOLER and putting its rules into daily practice, health and social care staff make their services safer and more supportive for both staff and people who use their services.