Posted By martinw Intriguing. Suggest that as the church does not clean itself, that people work there to do so therefore it is a place of work. Same for electrics, decoration etc. Someone must give the sermons too. Worth taking a look at BS 6440 which is directly relevant regarding maintenance and testing. May be worth looking at BS 8300 regarding built environment being made more accessible to disabled persons which forms basis for guidance in approved document M. Martin

Posted By Andy Barr I would suggest if the wheelchair lift is "primarliy for use by and under the control of members of the public" it does not come under LOLER - see paragraph 36 of this guidance note to HSE and LA Inspectors. http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/90-4.htm Andy

Posted By Andrew W I've spoken to an acquaintance about this subject and he informed me that his company carries out thorough examinations for churches (apparently some churches also have hoists and lifting devices). His advice was that the church is not a place of work per se so therefore not covered under the remit of LOLER or PUWER, however they carry out the inspections as a commitment to the H&S of users. This was requested by the Ecclesiastic insurers (may be wrong name or spelling) who provide the insurance for churches. Apparently the church has their own insurance division!!

Posted By Kenneth Patrick Leaving aside regulation does it require maintenance/inspection to keep it in safe working order and is this being done. Ken

Posted By Donk Not LOLER as loler only applies to work activities, (quote from L113)as such the wheelchair lift is not work equipment, however a duty of care under sections 3 and 4 of the act are still applicable. A thorough examination is not a mandatory requirement in these conditions, but would be considered as best practise. Also a church is a place of work.

Posted By Robert K Lewis What if the wheelchair user has a paid attendant to take him/her places - It is what the Disability Living Allowance is for. The attendant is at work. I find this hairsplitting very worrying.In all public situations equipment for lifting persons must be checked and I cannot see a better standard than 6 monthly Bob

Posted By Andy Barr Bob, I agree it might seem to be splitting hairs and I agree that in public situations all lifting equipment for lifting people should be checked 6 monthly as the best standard BUT, the original posting asked "Does this require a 6 month statutory check as required by LOLER?" The answer to that question is NO - see my previous posting above re para 36 of the Circular issued to all HSE and LA Inspectors as to why. Yes it is provided in a 'workplace'. Yes it is provided as part of the work activity. But, it does not come under LOLER because it is "primarily for use by, and under the control of, members of the public" The issue of an attendant is a red herring because they are classed as a member of the public whilst in the church i.e. the church has s3 duties towards them - irrespective of the fact that they are 'at work' at the time. IMHO Ken and Donk both got it spot on. As I said at the top I think a 6 monthly check on the equipment is best practice just not under LOLER. Best advice would be for trueman1 to speak to their local EHO (they enforce in places of worship) and ask them whether they would enforce anything against the church if they had the lift maintained X times a year and inspected Y times a year (where X and Y are both >0) - and to find out under what legislation they'd enforce it!

Posted By Karel Burgoyne you might pick something out of this that helps with the question. http://www.scotland.gov....ions/2003/06/17596/22999 example If the Church is an employer then; Under Duty of employers to non-employees: Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, s.3. Every employer has a duty to conduct its undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that people not in its employment but who may be affected by the undertaking are not thereby exposed to risk to their health and safety. It then follows that application of some aspects of good practice ie some of the general arrangements under PUWER and LOLER might apply to the supplied wheel chair lift.