By Lolerflow Team | LOLER Compliance Specialists
The Core Distinction
LOLER applies to lifting operations — where equipment is used to raise, lower, or support a load (including a person) as part of a deliberate, controlled lifting activity. PUWER applies to all work equipment broadly, requiring it to be safe, maintained, and inspected at appropriate intervals.
For fall protection equipment, the question is: is the person being actively supported by the equipment (LOLER territory) or is the equipment only there to arrest a fall if one occurs (PUWER territory)?
LOLER applies
→Rope access systems — the rope actively supports the worker at height
→Work positioning harnesses — where the lanyard is load-bearing during normal work
→Man-riding hoists and suspended platforms
→Bosun's chairs and suspended seats (where the worker's weight is carried by the suspension)
6-month thorough examination required
PUWER applies (not LOLER)
→Personal fall arrest lanyards — passive protection only, not under load during normal work
→Self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) — fall arrest only
→Anchor points and horizontal lifelines — not load-bearing during normal work
→Safety nets — passive fall arrest system
Regular inspection under PUWER — manufacturer's schedule; no LOLER 6-month rule
Rope Access — Both LOLER and IRATA
Rope access systems used to support workers at height sit clearly within LOLER. The working line and safety line together form the lifting system that supports the person. This means:
- 6-monthly thorough examination of all ropes, harnesses, connectors, and anchors used in the system
- Schedule 1-compliant written report after each examination
- Competent person must have rope access-specific knowledge in addition to general LOLER competence
- IRATA or SPRAT inspection protocols do not replace LOLER — both apply simultaneously
PUWER Inspection for Fall Arrest Equipment
Even where LOLER does not apply, fall arrest equipment must still be inspected under PUWER. The inspection frequency is determined by: the manufacturer's recommendations, the frequency of use, the environment (UV, chemicals, heat), and the consequences of failure. Typically this means annual inspection by a competent person plus pre-use checks by the user before each use.
PUWER does not prescribe a written report format equivalent to LOLER Schedule 1 — but records of inspections must be kept, and in the event of an accident the HSE will want to see them.
Track rope access and fall protection alongside all your LOLER assets
Lolerflow handles both LOLER 6-month records and PUWER annual inspection records in one system. 30-day free trial.
Start free trial →Does LOLER apply to fall arrest equipment?+
It depends on how the equipment is used. LOLER applies to equipment used for lifting operations — if fall arrest equipment is also used to position or support a worker at height (e.g. a rope used in work positioning or a harness used in rope access where the worker is supported by the rope), LOLER applies. If the equipment is purely passive fall protection (catching a falling worker), PUWER applies instead.
What is the difference between LOLER and PUWER for fall protection equipment?+
LOLER covers equipment used to lift or lower loads (including people) as part of a deliberate lifting operation. PUWER covers all work equipment and requires it to be safe, maintained, and inspected. Most fall arrest equipment primarily sits under PUWER for regular inspection. However, rope access systems and work positioning systems — where the rope actively supports the worker — also fall under LOLER.
How often must rope access equipment be inspected under LOLER?+
Where rope access equipment is used to support persons (making it subject to LOLER), the 6-month examination interval for person-lifting equipment applies. A competent person must carry out a thorough examination every 6 months in addition to the regular pre-use checks required by PUWER and IRATA/SPRAT standards.