Sorry if this has been asked before, but am after some information, if possible...... We already have quite a large commitment to statutory inspections and preventative maintenance in place. As part of this, our loose lifting equipment (eg ropes, slings etc) is currently inspected every 6 months by a competent, third party sub-contractor, as per LOLER requirements. Thus, there are two inspections per year, plus annual maintenance by another sub-contractor! Unfortunately, it doesn't seem as though we have been conducting regular inspections by the insurance company (eg Royal Sun Alliance, Allianz etc). Can anyone point me in the right direction of whether this is an absolute requirement, over and above LOLER, or if it's a good practice? Thanks for any help with this. Pete

I take it you refer to the requirement for thorough examination (and as appropriate, test) by competent persons. Not to be confused with user inspections, maintenance, etc. There is an absolute requirement under LOLER, but there is also considerable scope as to what constitutes a 'competent person' for that purpose. There is no absolute legal requirement to engage the insurer's specialist engineers or other third party, and this is particularly relevant to simpler items such as slings, ropes, shackles etc. PROVIDED the person conducting the thorough examination has sufficient competence AND autonomy in decision making.

It does not have to be an Insurance company. Any "competent person" can do it, but the insurance co will often carry this out to assist clients and maybe make some money. Otherwise you will be doubling up on the statutory examinations.