Seasons Greetings and Yuletide felicitations to you all. I wondered if any Forum Users might have insight into the veracity of guidance and information (apparently current) as issued by the HSE to it's own Inspectors (and presumably as stated in ISO 10535) in the above context. HSE Inspection Pack - Musculoskeletal DisordersFebruary 2007 at http://www.hse.gov.uk/fo...lops/fod/inspect/msd.pdf references (page 41) references a Sector Information Note SIM 07/1999/18. That document carries a cancellation date of 29/10/2003, I guess the initial puzzle is its continuiing inclusion within (presumably) current internal guidance. SIM 07/1999/18 states: "15 HS Unit has been receiving reports that some competent persons and suppliers have been advising that patient hoists, which were previously examined annually, must now be examined every 6 months. LOLER does not require this, and such a decision should be taken on the basis of the condition of the hoist, its work load and the performance history of the particular type of hoist. 16 BS EN ISO 10535: 1998 Hoists for the transfer of disabled persons - Requirements and test methods gives recommendations for the periodic inspection of patient hoists, Annex A advises that the periodic inspection should be carried out at least once a year and describes, in general terms, the nature of the inspection which normally includes a full load test. Note that the BS uses the term “inspection” in the sense that LOLER uses “thorough examination”." Anyone able to shed further light on this? The reference to ISO 10535 suggests the annual requirement therein is to be taken as the definitive - despite the more general application of a 6 month regime to any equipment carrying people? I know we shouldn't be very wary of referring to HSE's internal documentation, however this seems a very significant disparity.

All the best to you too for the Festive Season. I agree with chas. LE used to lift people should be subject to 6 monthly checks - this has been the case for some time and I am not aware of any changes to LOLER to alter this requirement (can be reviewed via written scheme as mentioned above). Perhaps in issuing this guidance to its inspectors the HSE are planning to introduce a gradual relaxation of the requirements at "the sharp end" to be followed by a consultative doc later to bring in the changes to LOLER?? Rgds John

Alistair Your post resembles my view. I do not think the intent of the scheme of examination was ever to extend the periodicity for equipment used for lifting people, particularly in the light of the additional consequences to an already disabled person if failure occurs. The extension in period was intended to cover either exceptionally frequent use, severe environment or very infrequent use. in the latter case the idea was to allow items to be tested immediately before use even if they have laid idle for more than 12 months. The first two cases reflect a need to shorten the testing period not extend. Bob