Contents
Show
Vacuum Lifting Machine Inspection
Need your Vacuum Lifting Machine inspected in line with LOLER98 regulations? Get a quote today to ensure you remain compliant.
Vacuum Lifting Machine Thorough Examinations
Vacuum Lifting Machines Within Industry
Vacuum lifting machines are mechanical devices that use suction to lift, move, and position loads safely and efficiently. They create a vacuum between the lifting device and the surface of the load, allowing items such as glass, metal sheets, wood panels, and stone slabs to be handled without the need for hooks, slings, or clamps. This method reduces the risk of damage to delicate or smooth surfaces and enables precise positioning of materials.
These machines can be manually operated or powered electrically or pneumatically, depending on the size and weight of the load. Many vacuum lifting machines are designed with adjustable arms, rotating or tilting heads, and ergonomic controls, allowing operators to manipulate large or awkward items with minimal physical effort. They are particularly useful for lifting flat or uniform materials that would be difficult or unsafe to handle manually.
Vacuum lifting machines are widely used across a range of industries. In construction and glazing, they are used to handle large glass panels and window units. Manufacturing facilities use them for moving metal sheets, composite panels, and plastic sheets. Other common industries include timber processing, stone and marble fabrication, logistics, and aerospace, where precision and damage-free handling are critical.
By reducing manual handling, improving safety, and increasing efficiency, vacuum lifting machines have become a vital tool in modern material handling. Their versatility and ability to lift delicate or heavy items make them essential in industries that require precise, safe, and efficient handling of flat or smooth materials.
What’s covered during your SEIS Thorough Examination.
A LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998)thorough examination of an Vacuum lifter, is a legally required inspection carried out by a competent person to ensure the vacuum lifting machine is safe for continued use. Below is a detailed breakdown of what is typically covered:
General Examination
Verification that the vacuum lifting machine complies with its manufacturer’s specifications and current legislation.
Check of all relevant documentation, such as:
- CE/UKCA conformity documents
- Maintenance records
- Load test and installation certificates
- Previous thorough examination reports
- Confirmation that all safety markings (SWL, ID plates) are legible and accurate.
Structural Integrity
- The jib structure check for structural integrity.
- End carriages and connection points inspected for alignment, wear, and secure bolting.
- Examination of welds and joints for signs of fatigue or failure.
- Panels checked for security.
- Lifting attachment/ Lifting face check integrity and seals.
- Securing fixings checked to ensure suitable and suitably torqued.
- Foundation fixings checked for suitability, correct torque and any damage noted.
Mechanical Components
Pneumatic system / hoisting system:
- Condition of the vacuum pump unit, air filter and pneumatic hoses.
- Check for cracks, fractures or excessive corrosion noted to the jib structure and lifting carriage or lifting bed.
- Sealing faces/ vacuum seals.
Electrical Systems
- Inspection of control panels, emergency stops, and isolation devices
- Check all wiring, insulation, and connectors for damage or overheating.
- Verify operation of travel, hoisting, and lowering.
Safety and Control Systems
- Emergency stop circuits tested.
Functional Testing
Operate the vacuum lifter under a test environment, and check for the following;
- Smooth operation of all motions.
- Effectiveness of switches and limiters.
- Stability during lifting and movement.
- Ability to hold the load during a power failure.
Documentation and Reporting
After the inspection, the competent person will issue a LOLER Thorough Examination Report. This must include:
- Date of the examination
- Details of the equipment inspected
- Findings, including any defects
- Recommendations or required actions
- Date of next examination due
- Statement on whether the equipment is safe to continue using
If any serious defects are found that pose immediate danger, they must be reported to the duty holder and the enforcing authority (e.g., HSE) immediately.
Summary
A vacuum lifting machine LOLER inspection ensures that the lifting elements of the machine are safe, compliant, and fit for use. It helps prevent accidents caused by worn seals, damaged components, or malfunctioning lifting mechanisms. While it does not replace regular maintenance, PUWER and LOLER inspections are a crucial legal requirement for keeping lifting operations safe and avoiding costly breakdowns or incidents.
Why Vacuum Lifting Machine Thorough Examinations Matter For You & Your Business.
Why LOLER98 Thorough Examinations Matter
LOLER98 thorough examinations are a legal requirement in the UK for all lifting equipment used at work, and for good reason. These inspections ensure that lifting equipment, such as cranes, hoists, slings, and lifting accessories are safe to use, and fit for purpose. The nature of lifting operations means that equipment failure can lead to catastrophic consequences, including serious injury, fatalities, and significant damage to property. By carrying out regular, scheduled thorough examinations by a competent person, businesses can identify wear and tear, structural damage, or faulty mechanisms before they result in an incident.
Pros of Getting a Thorough Examination in line with LOLER98
Legal Compliance and Risk Reduction: The most obvious advantage is staying compliant with health and safety law. Compliance avoids potential legal action, fines, or even prosecution. More importantly, it drastically reduces the risk of workplace accidents caused by lifting equipment failure.
Improved Safety Culture: Regular inspections foster a proactive safety culture within the organisation. Employees are more likely to trust equipment and feel safe in their work environment when they know thorough checks are in place.
Extended Equipment Lifespan: Regularly maintained and inspected equipment typically lasts longer. Examinations can identify early signs of damage or fatigue, allowing for preventative maintenance that avoids costly replacements or repairs.
Insurance and Liability Protection: Insurers may require evidence of LOLER compliance in the event of an incident. Without valid inspection records, insurance claims could be denied or reduced, leaving the business liable for damages.
Operational Efficiency: Detecting potential issues before they lead to equipment failure helps prevent unscheduled downtime. This keeps operations running smoothly and avoids the knock-on effects of delayed projects or interrupted workflows.
Cons of Failing to Carry Out LOLER Thorough Examinations
Legal and Financial Consequences: Failing to comply with LOLER can result in enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), including improvement notices, prohibition notices, fines, or even prosecution. Legal battles and associated costs can be financially crippling.
Increased Risk of Accidents: Equipment that hasn’t been thoroughly examined is far more likely to fail. Such failures can lead to injuries or fatalities, particularly in high-risk environments like construction or manufacturing. Beyond the human cost, the reputational damage to a business can be severe and long-lasting.
Higher Repair and Replacement Costs: Neglecting inspections can allow minor issues to develop into major faults. These may require costly emergency repairs or complete equipment replacement, expenses that could have been avoided through routine examinations.
Loss of Business and Clients: Clients often expect their contractors or suppliers to uphold strict safety standards. A failure to meet legal obligations like LOLER can result in lost contracts or blacklisting from future work, especially in regulated industries.
Increased Insurance Premiums or Invalidated Coverage: As mentioned, insurers may increase premiums or deny coverage entirely if a business can't provide evidence of up-to-date LOLER compliance, placing a heavier financial burden on operations.
LOLER thorough examinations aren’t just a box-ticking exercise - they are an essential component of a responsible, safety-first approach to using lifting equipment. The benefits of compliance are wide-ranging, from protecting human life to reducing costs and maintaining operational integrity. Conversely, the risks of neglecting these inspections can be devastating on multiple levels.
Key Points;
Examinations must be carried out by a competent person - A competent person is someone with the right practical and theoretical knowledge and experience to conduct thorough examinations of lifting equipment.
Key Points;
Examinations must be carried out in the following situations;
Before lifting equipment has been put into service, unless -
- The equipment has never been used before.
- An EC declaration of conformity has been drafted up and issued no longer than one year prior to the equipment being put into service.
Key Points;
An employer shall ensure that where the safety of lifting equipment depends of installation conditions, it is thoroughly examined;
- After installation and before being put into service.
- After assembly and being put into service at a new site, or a new location at it's current site.
Key Points;
Lifting periods;
- Every 6 months for lifting accessories and attachments, or for lifting equipment which is used for lifting persons.
- Every 12 months for other types of lifting equipment which does not fall into the above or below category.
- In line with an examination scheme, of which, the competent person deems the necessary intervals based on working environment and use etc.
Key Points;
A report of thorough examination must contain the following;
- The date the examination was undertaken and where it was undertaken
- Means of identifying the equipment (make, model, serial number, SWL etc)
- Any findings, comments and defects made by the competent person
- Defects highlighting imminent danger must be forwarded to the relevant authority (HSE) within 28 days.
Great experience working with Oliver on the PSSR for our compressors! The team was very professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. They made the entire process smooth and stress-free. We would definitely use them again.
We’ve been using Statutory Equipment Inspection Solutions Ltd for our inspection needs, and their service is unmatched by any competitor we’ve worked with. They are extremely professional, always quick to respond to messages, and consistently provide prompt, detailed reports to help us stay compliant with regulations. Highly reliable and a pleasure to work with — we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
SEIS have delivered LOLER and PSSR Thorough Examinations for us across Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire with the utmost professionalism and the highest standards. With brilliant communication and a friendly, knowledgeable approach, we highly recommend their services.
Oliver at SEIS turned up on short notice to help us out after our current inspections provider let us down. He had our overhead cranes and fork trucks examined, and reports sent to us on the same day. Fantastic service.
The engineer surveyor SEIS sent was personable, and knowledgable. They was happy to work around our operational needs and examined our tailboard lifts with minimal disruption.
Thanks again!
Craig
Thanks again!
Craig