LOLER: WHAT DOES IT STAND FOR?
Within the UK, thorough examination of lifting equipment (i.e. a climber’s rope) is covered
by the Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER). Supported by the
Leonardo Lifelong Learning Programme the Project Manager-Billy Robb leads the transfer
and innovation of UK equipment inspection standards to further development on a European
level. This includes the key areas of training, assessment and methods applied by lifting
equipment inspectors throughout Europe.
EUROPEAN STANDARDS & REGULATIONS: THE LAW
European standards and work at height regulations set-out requirements designed to improve
worker safety when working at heights. Sometimes these re-enforce or support existing
requirements within a number of European countries. For example, the European Work at
Height Regulations 2005 and UK LOLER regulations. Inspection of lifting equipment and
competence of inspectors are both critical measures defined within the regulations.
REVIEW OF ACCIDENTS & INDUSTRIES COVERED BY LOLER
Recent UK tree work statistics indicate that: 50% of fatalities related to the use of chainsaws
in tree work occur during tree climbing activities; the second highest cause of fatalities are
due to falls from a height and the employment status with the highest fatality rate is arborist.
Anecdotal information obtained from arborists related to falls from heights indicates
equipment failure has been a factor. This is currently under investigation as part of a
European wide analysis of accident and fatality statistics related to working at height. The
underlying reasons behind these accidents include other industry sectors (not only
arboriculture) such as;
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Agriculture/Horticulture/Forestry
Adventure/Entertainment activities e.g. theatre productions/rope courses
Construction-Industrial rope access/Mast climbers/Scaffolders
Education/Military/Training
Ports/Oil rigs
Mountaineering/Rock climbing/Caving/Pot-holing
Roof work
Window cleaning
Workplace transport
REVIEW OF TRAINING STANDARDS FOR EQUIPMENT INSPECTORS
A mapping exercise of training and education Europe-wide is another area of project research
with the aim of harmonising practices and standards across the various sectors involved in
work at height activities. Current methods of inspection are primarily qualitative and
depending upon the competence of the inspector, are prone to an element of subjectivity. For
example, one inspector’s visual and tactile examination on the condition of a climbing
harness and subsequent recommendations can vary hugely from the opinion of a different
inspector.
More objective or quantitative testing is undertaken by equipment manufacturers but tend to
be destructive in nature. A number of different testing devices are in use but are usually too
large and immobile to be practical on a wide scale. Another factor within this testing
environment is that the material properties tested are usually batch samples from new and do
not always reflect the potential effects of the ‘working environment’. For example, the effect
of ‘wear and tear’ on a mountaineers rope.
NDT RESEARCH: PENETRATION METHOD & ROPE TESTING DEVICE
One key project area under study is the scope and practical application of non-destructive
testing (NDT) methods for use on climbing equipment. The following methods were given
consideration and evaluated for use:
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Magnetic defectoscopy
Acoustic emission testing
Thermography
Eddy current method
X-ray defectoscopy
Ultrasound defectoscopy
Capillary defectoscopy
Following evaluation, cost and practical application favoured the implementation of the
capillary defectoscopy (penetration method) for use. This is a method of flaw detection based
on the penetration of any defects present (e.g. crack on karabiner) via a substance through the
phenomenon of capillary pressure. The result of this can lead to an artificial increase in the
light and colour contrast of the flaws relative to the intact or undamaged areas. This method
was selected for investigation of defects in hardware (metal/alloys etc).
Software (textiles) particularly climbing ropes can be extremely difficult to assess purely
visually. For this reason the LOLER project scope included options for research and
development for materials testing purposes. A rope testing device is under development
which detects levels of fibre wear relative to European standards. Ultimately, a defect (e.g.
core fibre buckling) which may not be visually observed but which can seriously reduce the
working load limit or breaking strength, should be identified during inspection.
LOLER PROJECT: THE MAIN OBJECTIVE
The LOLER project aims to harmonise current European standards and inspection methods
and by utilising a more science-based approach through the development of new tools and
techniques, increase work at height safety for all users of lifting equipment.
THE PROJECT TEAM
A1 Arborists Ltd (United Kingdom): Contacts & lead role-Billy Robb (Project Manager);
Kristyna Dvorackova (Project Quality Assurance Coordinator)
University of Mendel (Czech Republic): Contacts & lead role-Pavel Nevrkla (Equipment
Testing Consultant); Barbora Vojackova (Equipment Testing Coordinator)
Fito-consult (Italy): Contact & lead role-Daniele Zanzi (Equipment Testing Consultant)
Tree Care Ireland (Ireland): Contact & lead role-Kevin Birchall (Pilot Tests Consultant)
Forest Sciences Centre of Catalonia (Spain): Contacts & lead role-Rosa Ricart (Project
Communications Consultant) & Daniel Gabarro (Pilot Tests Consultant)
MWMAC (United Kingdom): Contact & lead role-Chris Hughes (Standards Setting
Consultant)
University of Copenhagen (Denmark): Contact & lead role-Henning Johansen (Standards
Setting Consultant)
Kamila Jurickova-Mountain Guide Services (Czech Republic): Rope Access Technical
Expert
Lukas Neklan-Singing Rock (Czech Republic): Rope Access Technical Expert
Fabian Frank-Frank Tree Care (Germany): Rope Access Technical Expert