Good morning all, How would you define a competent person in terms of carrying out routine inspections and pre-use inspections on lifting equipment. These inspections and regular maintenance regimes are carried out by our team of inhouse engineers between periodic thorough examinations(6 or 12 months by our insurers). This creates a file on all our equipment to show that interim examinations take place between the periodic thorough examinations and that LOLER is managed effectively. We have a team of 12 fully qualified engineers, electricians, mechanics all with years of experience in their fields with the education to back it up. In the LOLER Regs it states that these inspections should be carried out by a competent impartial individual etc. What in your opinions would constitute a "competent person"? Am I going to have some of these guys further training such as LOLER Inspection training? I ask this because we had a Category A defect which was reported to the HSE and therefore the HSE contacted us regarding the matter of management surrounding Lifting Equipment and accessories. They are looking for a report to show the management system is up to scratch. Anyone out there had a similiar situation?

The person possesses sufficient training, experience and knowledge appropriate to the nature of the work to be undertaken

A competent person is defined in Health and Safety terms as someone who is SKATE Skilled Knowledgeable Attitude Trained Experienced and in the light of recent happening, people have added Certification to it thus making it SKATEC if your lifting team posses this attribute then i do say they are competent. a training course in LOLER/LEEA can further be a step in the right direction as far as ''Certification'' is concerned