Posted By George Wedgwood Malcolm, for the lifting equipment examination competency, you will be best advised to approach one of the engineering insurance companies such as Cornhill, Royal & Sun Alliance, Plant Safety etc. all of whom have such people and who will contract to examine your equipment at agreed periodic intervals. They will also advise on a suitable management system to keep you right. As far as lifting operations are concerned, suitable and sufficient risk assessments are the order of the day and these competent persons are around in most good companies but also in the major crane comapnies, who will contract for a specific job or advise on procedure and method in general terms, so you can call-off when required. This does not excuse you or your employer for ensuring sufficient competence in-house to enable the correct decisions to be made. Call IOSH for advice on appropriate training. Competence in both cases can be demonstrated by the right training, experience and accreditation from an appropriate body - just scan the web for LOLER experts! Regards, George