CPCS Safe Lifting Operations & LOLER 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does LOLER stand for?
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (Correct answer)
- Load Operating Limit and Equipment Rules
- Lifting Objects and Load Equipment Regulations
- Load On Lifting Equipment Rules 1998
Correct answer: Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
LOLER stands for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It sets requirements for the safe use of lifting equipment and the planning and supervision of lifting operations.
Question 2: Under LOLER, who must plan a lifting operation?
- A competent person must plan every lifting operation (Correct answer)
- The plant operator alone
- Any trained banksman
- The site manager without specialist input
Correct answer: A competent person must plan every lifting operation
LOLER requires that every lifting operation is planned by a competent person, with the plan covering the method, equipment, personnel, communication, and emergency arrangements.
Question 3: What is the Safe Working Load (SWL) of lifting equipment?
- The maximum load the equipment is rated to lift safely under specified conditions (Correct answer)
- The weight of the equipment itself
- The maximum load ever lifted by that piece of equipment
- The theoretical maximum load ignoring safety factors
Correct answer: The maximum load the equipment is rated to lift safely under specified conditions
Safe Working Load (SWL) is the maximum load the equipment is designed and rated to lift safely under specified conditions. Exceeding SWL risks catastrophic failure of the equipment.
Question 4: Under LOLER, how often must a thorough examination of a crane or lifting accessory be carried out?
- At least every 12 months for most lifting equipment, or every 6 months if used to lift persons (Correct answer)
- Every 5 years
- Only when a defect is suspected
- Once at installation and then only after major repair
Correct answer: At least every 12 months for most lifting equipment, or every 6 months if used to lift persons
LOLER requires thorough examination of lifting equipment at least every 12 months (every 6 months if used to lift persons), or after exceptional circumstances such as damage or long periods out of use.
Question 5: What is the role of a banksman during a crane lifting operation?
- To guide the crane operator using agreed signals when visibility is limited (Correct answer)
- To operate the crane from the ground level
- To attach and inspect the lifting accessories
- To maintain the exclusion zone only
Correct answer: To guide the crane operator using agreed signals when visibility is limited
A banksman guides the crane operator using agreed signals — hand or radio — particularly when the operator cannot see the load or landing area. They do not operate the crane or attach loads.
Question 6: What must be considered when calculating whether a load is within the safe working load of a crane?
- The weight of the load plus all lifting accessories such as slings and shackles (Correct answer)
- The weight of the load only
- The weight of the lifting accessories only
- The weight of the operator and load combined
Correct answer: The weight of the load plus all lifting accessories such as slings and shackles
The total weight lifted by the crane includes the load itself plus all lifting accessories (slings, shackles, spreader beams, hooks). All must be included when checking against the SWL.
CPCS Safe Lifting Operations & LOLER 1
What does LOLER stand for?