Posted By John Webster Zoe, have you tried the HSE's telephone help line? They were very helpful when I had a similar query about certain types of hospital bed and examination chairs

Posted By Zoê I just gave HSE Infoline a call and their response "That's not an example given in the regulations" - this I already know as I told her I'd read through LOLER prior to calling. I think the HSE Infoline are great for SMEs who don't have a H&S person of their own. They then advised I ring my LA, which is fair enough :\

Posted By James Lawrence Hi Zoe, We use Jimmy Jibs and Cranes in the Broadcasting/Film industry. Deployment is a significant point and safe access for safe working. We ensure that all our operators are competent to operate such equipment and as you said over audiences and large crowds - what ever the venue. Its just like any equipment under PUWER and LOLER amd the support stays are significant to this as well as the operator fitting and setting it up. These crews are highly skilled. There has been an incident when someone has been knocked seroiusly and it is not the normal activity you would generally come across generally. If you need any further enqueries I'm happy to be contacted directly.

Posted By Mark Talbot I would hedge toward PUWER. LOLER implies lifting something descreet [separate] from the equipment used. Once the camera is fitted to the Jimmy, it could be seen as part of the Jimmy - but we are getting into greyness. The checks will be almost identical, but as the previous poster said, you have more discretion over periods. You should not avoid a thorough inspection just because it is an odd case though - you have identified a significant risk [camera over audience] and you should mitigate it.