Construction - Excavators and LOLER

Do all excavators require thorough examinations as required by Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)?

No. Excavators that have a lifting eye and are used for lifting operations are subject to thorough examination. If the only job they do is conventional 'earth moving' then the requirements of the Provision of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) apply. Under PUWER there must be an appropriate maintenance regime and an inspection of the machine at intervals specified by a competent person. However if the machine is used for lifting then it must be thoroughly examined and additional safety devices must be fitted, including a boom lowering device (usually check valves) and an acoustic warning device.

What if I only use it to lift occasionally?

If you plan to use an excavator four lifting then you must have a thorough examination certificate as this is a control measure for the additional risks involved in lifting operations. For more information on this subject, refer to CPA/HSE Guidance on Lifting Operations with Excavators.