LOLER: A Guide To Hoist Servicing & Maintenance

Patient handling solutions are used to decrease the risk of injury to both the patient and the caregiver. However, with this assistive equipment and the procedures for using it, there remains an element of risk. During moving and handling tasks, patient and carer safety is critical. Using faulty, unsafe or unsuitable equipment can lead to injuries or even fatalities. With this in mind, it is important to ensure that any patient handling equipment used is fully serviced, maintained, and inspected. Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998, any business or organisation whose employees operate lifting equipment, are required to have these products serviced and inspected/examined at least every six months. Take a look at our guide to Hoist Servicing & Maintenance.

What Should Hoist Servicing Include?

Hoist servicing should include, as a minimum, a full service to the original manufacturer’s specification. Although no legal qualifications are required to carry out a LOLER inspection; it is required that the inspection is carried out by a “competent person”.

Here at Joerns Healthcare, we can support you with hoist inspection and servicing training. We can ensure that you and your team understand exactly what to look out for. Especially when it comes to your LOLER inspection. However, there are also many hoist servicing companies you can use. These companies should be providing you with a full report of the examination.

Clearly stating the type of inspection, the results of it, and any recommendations thereafter. It is vital that if there are any safety-critical issues notified as part of the inspection, you ensure they are addressed before continuing to use the lifting and handling equipment.

The Requirements Of LOLER

LOLER’s thoroughly examines the equipment itself. LOLER also requires that all of the lifting equipment is strong and stable enough for its intended use. Additionally, the maintenance should be done properly through regular inspection and service. In addition, the training of all operators should be sufficient in how to use the equipment.

Any usage of the equipment should be planned in advance. Therefore, taking into account the risks to the carer, the patient, and anyone nearby.

Routine Hoist Servicing

Whilst daily checks on the patient handling equipment are best practice, planned routine hoist servicing is the best way you can get a full assessment of your equipment. By assessing the condition and wear of each part of the device, you can ensure that any replacements and repairs are made long before the equipment becomes unsafe and unusable. Servicing the manufacturer’s specifications should include examination of all the internal components of the equipment which are not externally visible. Proactive servicing will help decrease the risk of emergency incidents. In addition to keeping your staff and patients confident when they are using the lifting and handling equipment.

Contact Us To Find Out More On Your Hoist Servicing And Maintenance

As a leading provider of patient lifting and handling solutions, all of our equipment is thoroughly checked, tried, and tested, before being supplied to our customers or organisations, however, in line with the recommendations of LOLER, it should be examined on commissioning to ensure it is safe for use.

We offer full and detailed training for service and inspection of patient lifting equipment. So you can be sure to trust Joerns Healthcare when it comes to keeping you and your team safe.

If you would like to find out more about hoist service and maintenance routines, training, and/or our range of patient handling equipment, please head to our website today. Alternatively, you can call 0344 811 1158 to speak to a member of our helpful and friendly team.

If you have found this blog helpful, then you may wish to read our previous blog on Active Stand Aids: A Patient Journey