We have skips with lifting lugs at welded at the four corners. The skips are lifted by attaching chains to the lugs. The chains are tested under LOLER Regs but am I correct in saying that the lugs would also come under the LOLER Regs as they are similar to eye bolts? Thanks

From: http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/90-4.htm 25 Pallets, skips, ladles, and similar containers for carrying material loads, and which are not permanently attached to the lifting machinery, should be treated as 'the load', as they normally remain with the contents once the lifting operation is complete. LOLER reg.4 applies to the strength of the container (and that of its lugs, for example). There should be adequate maintenance (PUWER reg.5) and pre-use checks (LOLER reg.8) of the container to ensure it is actually capable of containing the load safely and will not disintegrate or detach from the lifting equipment.

somebody needs to examin [not simply check] the welded lugs and general state of the skip with regards to its condition from the fabrication angle irrespective of LOLER and this may require NDT of the welds etc. Take advice from your insurer