Regulation 9 of LOLER [2] requires that vehicle lifts are thoroughly examined by a competent person after installation and before being put into use. A report of the thorough examination should be provided confirming whether the list has been installed correctly and is safe to use.
A load test should be carried out as part of the thorough examination to check for faults with the installation or the floor. Load tests should be carried out using the manufacturer’s rated maximum capacity of the lift. The test loads should result in an even loading of the lifting elements and be of proven accuracy to within ± 1.0%. If test loads are proven on a weighbridge, the weighbridge should have been calibrated within the previous 12 months. This is reinforced by the standard BS7980:2012, vehicle lifts – installation, maintenance, thorough examination and safe use – code of practice.
It remains the customers responsibility to ensure that their vehicle lifts, new or old, meet with these legislations. If a reduction in testing weight is applied within the test, the lift must be clearly marked with the reduced capacity. Failure to follow these regulations could ultimately lead to prosecution, worse still, lead to an accident or even death.
Bullworthy do not let our customers take any risks, nor do we mask the legal implications of an installation, that’s why our customers feel safe using Bullworthy, and that’s why our customers always come back to us. Our sales and installation staff have all been highly trained to offer professional advice when purchasing a lift. What matters to Bullworthy most, is the safety of our customers prior to winning a lift sale.
Bullworthy have invested heavily in specialist equipment and have access to a whole range of testing vehicles solely for the purpose of carrying out load tests to full capacity on each and every lift installation we carry out. Upon completion of an installation, all vehicle lifts are left clearly identified with a large SWL label clearly indicating the safe working load, another legal requirement. All examination paperwork is completed electronically on site, and within minutes it is logged and stored onto the Bullworthy web-portal system, offering our customers various ways in which they can observe their legal paperwork.
No advice is bad advice, do not purchase from a company that is not prepared to discuss your safety first.
Want to find out more about load testing in general and how Bullworthy can assist you further? Contact our service department on (01295) 768373 and selection option 2 at the menu selection. Or alternatively, you can email them at service@bullworthy.co.uk.
