Re Chainsaw,Chipper & weekly Loler checks

[New Boy]

Hi,

 

Please can i ask how often do you have/required to "under HSE" to check, chainsaws and chippers.

 

And is it that the weekly Loler check is one that should be conducted by the company and then independently every 6 months by a Loler inspector?

 

Regards

 

New Boy

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

HI 'new boy',

 

Broadly what you refer to here is the PUWER (Provision and Use if Work Equipment Regs., 'the law relating to machinery', kinda) and LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regs., 'the law relating specifically to lifting AND lowering equipment', kinda).

 

PUWER is not prescriptive with regarding to maintenance and inspection frequencies, it's about doing what is 'reasonable' to maintain it in a safe condition and 'fit for use/purpose'. And, thereafter, being able to evidence such, i.e. keep a brief record/note of what you did when. So, it's very much dependent on use, i.e. for how long and for what, of the machine. I would 'suggest' (okay 'advise') chainsaws probably monthly, in terms of being in the workshop, stripped down, checked, reassembled and sharpened etc....and record (ideally.)

 

LOLER is different as that is prescriptive with 3 levels of inspection:

 

1. Pre-use, by the climber (AKA 'end user'), not recorded = good practice

2. Weekly ('items subject to high wear and tear', i.e. ropes / lanyards / strops / krabs) by a 'competent person / end user' and recorded = good practice

3. 6 months (climbing kit) & 12 months (rigging kit) - 'thorough examination' (AKA 'loler inspection'), recorded (neatly), by 'LOLER inspector / competent person = LEGAL requirement.

 

Hope this helps but see Help becoming an ARB Approved Contractor for more information and forms to record.

 

Cheers..

Paul

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Sorry, rushing again.

 

Chippers = probably weekly, as more complex machine and usually subject to 'harder' use (but again if it's low use it might be fortnightly.)

 

Cheers..

Paul

[New Boy]

Perfect thank you both very much!!