Businesses that use lifting equipment, pressure systems or certain other plant have a legal duty to have it thoroughly examined by a competent person at set intervals. Engineering inspection insurance provides that competent-person inspection service, usually alongside cover for the plant itself. Under LOLER, lifting equipment used to lift people and all lifting accessories must be examined at least every six months, and other lifting equipment at least every twelve months.
These are statutory duties, not optional maintenance. Equipment such as lifts, hoists, cranes, slings and pressure vessels must be inspected on a legal schedule, and engineering inspection cover is how most businesses meet that obligation and insure the equipment at the same time.
What are statutory inspections?
Certain equipment must, by law, be thoroughly examined by a competent person at defined intervals to confirm it is safe to use. The best-known regime is LOLER, the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, which covers lifts, hoists, cranes and lifting accessories, but similar duties apply to pressure systems, local exhaust ventilation and other plant. A thorough examination is a detailed, systematic examination, separate from routine servicing.
How often must lifting equipment be examined under LOLER?
Unless a written examination scheme sets different intervals, lifting equipment used to lift people, and all lifting accessories, must be thoroughly examined at least every six months, and other lifting equipment at least every twelve months. The examination must be carried out by a competent person with the right knowledge and experience, who should be independent of the person who maintains the equipment.
What does engineering inspection insurance provide?
Engineering inspection cover supplies the competent-person inspections needed to meet these statutory duties, arranges the inspection schedule, and issues the reports the law requires. It is usually combined with engineering, or plant, insurance that covers the equipment itself against sudden and unforeseen damage, such as breakdown of a lift or failure of a pressure vessel.
Who needs it?
Any business that operates lifting equipment, pressure systems or similar plant: manufacturers, warehouses, garages with vehicle lifts, care homes with hoists, and premises with passenger lifts. If you have equipment subject to a statutory examination duty, you need both the inspections and, in most cases, cover for the plant.
Getting the cover right
Engineering inspection needs to match the equipment you operate and the intervals the law sets, and it is easy to overlook a duty on a single item such as a lift or a hoist. A broker can arrange the inspection service and the plant cover together. To review your commercial cover, get a quote or speak to the team.