LOLER Training in Construction: Managing High-Risk Lifting Operations

What LOLER Means in Construction

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) apply to all lifting activities in construction. These regulations exist to reduce the risk of injury from lifting operations involving cranes, hoists, forklifts and lifting accessories. Construction sites involve frequent lifting of heavy and awkward loads. LOLER sets clear rules on how these lifts must be planned, supervised and carried out to protect workers and others on site.

Why Lifting Operations Are High Risk

Lifting operations remain among the highest-risk activities in construction. Failures often lead to serious injury or death. Common causes include poor planning, unsuitable equipment, unstable ground and lack of competence. Loads can fall, equipment can overturn, and workers can be struck or crushed. The dynamic nature of construction sites increases risk, with changing layouts, weather conditions, and multiple contractors working simultaneously.

Legal Duties Under LOLER

LOLER places clear legal duties on those who control lifting operations. Employers and those in control of work must ensure lifting equipment is suitable for the task, strong enough and stable. Lifting operations must be properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised, and carried out safely. Equipment must be inspected and thoroughly examined at set intervals. Failure to meet these duties can lead to enforcement action, fines and prosecution.

Who Needs LOLER Training on Site

LOLER training is not limited to crane operators. Several roles on a construction site require a working knowledge of the regulations to ensure lifting activities are managed safely.

Appointed Persons

Appointed persons are responsible for planning lifting operations. They assess risks, select suitable equipment and produce lifting plans. LOLER training ensures they understand legal duties and how to control lifting risks.

Crane and Equipment Operators

Operators must use lifting equipment safely and within its limits. Training helps operators understand load limits, safe operating procedures and the importance of following lifting plans.

Slingers and Signallers

Slingers and signallers attach loads and guide lifts. LOLER training covers the correct use of lifting accessories, load security and effective communication during lifting operations.

Supervisors and Site Managers

Supervisors and site managers oversee lifting work on site. Training supports them in recognising unsafe practices, ensuring plans are followed and stopping work when conditions change.

Planning Safe Lifting Operations

Effective planning sits at the centre of LOLER compliance. A well-planned lift reduces uncertainty and prevents unsafe decisions during the operation.

Risk Assessment and Method Statements

Risk assessments identify hazards linked to the lift, such as overhead services or nearby workers. Method statements set out how risks will be controlled and how the lift will be carried out safely.

Load Assessment and Stability

Understanding the weight, shape and centre of gravity of the load is essential. Incorrect assumptions about load weight or balance increase the risk of failure during lifting.

Selection of Lifting Equipment

Equipment must be suitable for the load and site conditions. This includes selecting the right crane type, lifting accessories and attachments for the task.

Ground Conditions and Site Constraints

Ground stability affects crane safety. Poor ground conditions, slopes, or underground services can cause equipment to overturn if not assessed and controlled.

Weather and Environmental Factors

Weather conditions such as high winds or poor visibility can make lifting unsafe. Planning must include clear limits for stopping work when conditions deteriorate.

Inspection, Maintenance and Thorough Examination

LOLER requires lifting equipment to be safe to use and kept in a safe condition. This depends on routine checks, planned maintenance and thorough examination by a competent person at set intervals. Thorough examination is a formal inspection and the findings must be recorded. Any defects that create a risk must be dealt with before the equipment is used again. Records should be easy to access on site so managers can confirm equipment status before a lift starts.

Common LOLER Failures in Construction

Most LOLER problems on site come from basic gaps in planning, control and competence. These failures often sit behind incidents, near misses and enforcement action.

Weak lift planning

Lifts go wrong when no lift plan exists or when the plan does not match the task on the day. Changes in load, radius, access or timing can make the original plan unsafe.

Using the wrong equipment or accessories

Lifting accessories fail when they are not rated for the load or not suitable for the lifting points. Improvised attachments and mixed sets of gear increase the risk of load shift or drop.

Poor ground assessment

Cranes and other lifting equipment need stable ground. Inadequate checks on bearing capacity, voids and buried services can lead to instability and overturning.

Unsafe exclusion zones

People get injured when they work under suspended loads or move through the lift area. Weak barriers, unclear signage and poor control of access make this more likely.

Communication breakdowns

Lifts depend on clear signals and a shared plan. Confusion between operator, slinger and signaller can lead to sudden movement, load swing and contact with structures or people.

How LOLER Training Supports Compliance

LOLER training helps duty holders understand what the law expects and what safe practice looks like on a live construction site. 

Training supports better decisions when conditions change, such as shifting ground conditions, tighter access or weather turning. When people understand their duties, they spot problems early and stop unsafe lifts before they become incidents.

Choosing the Right LOLER Training

Not all training fits all site risks. The right option depends on the type of lifting work, the equipment used and the role of the learner. Training should be matched to real site tasks and cover practical controls, not just rules. 

It should also reflect how lifting is managed on UK construction projects, including lift planning, supervision and record keeping. Refresher training matters too, especially where work changes or equipment types vary across projects.

The Lift Starts Long Before the Hook Moves

A safe lift begins with planning, checks and clear control. LOLER training supports that work by building shared understanding across the team. When duties are clear, equipment is checked and lifts are planned and supervised, risk drops. That is how construction sites manage lifting work without relying on luck.