A tower crane is assembled on site, used for months, dismantled and assembled again somewhere else. Each time it goes up, the law treats it as newly installed lifting equipment. That means a thorough examination before it lifts anything, on every site, as well as the regular examinations while it is there. This guide explains the rule and what sites need to have on file.
In short: Under LOLER 1998 Regulation 9, lifting equipment that depends on installation or assembly for its safety must be thoroughly examined after installation and before first use, and after assembly at each new site or location. For a tower crane that means a thorough examination every time it is erected, before it is used, and then at least every 12 months, or at the intervals in a written scheme of examination. Reports are kept available on site.
The rule for installed equipment
Regulation 9(1) of LOLER requires a thorough examination before lifting equipment is first used, unless it is new and has a Declaration of Conformity less than 12 months old and was not installed or assembled. Regulation 9(2) adds that where safety depends on the installation conditions, the equipment must be examined after installation and before first use, and after assembly and before use at each new site or location.
The HSE's guidance puts it plainly: equipment that requires assembly or installation before use, such as tower cranes, needs a thorough examination after assembly and before use at each location. The Declaration of Conformity covers the crane as manufactured, not the crane as erected on your site with your foundations, your ties and your configuration.
What the examination covers after erection
The examiner is checking that the crane has been erected correctly and is safe to operate in this configuration. That typically includes:
- Base, foundation and ballast, against the design and the manufacturer's data
- Mast sections, bolts and pins, including the tie-in and climbing frame where used
- Slewing ring, jib, counter-jib and the trolley and hoist ropes
- Hoist, slewing and trolley mechanisms and their brakes
- Limit switches, load moment indicator and the anti-collision system where fitted
- Operator cab, access ladders and rest platforms
- Markings, including the safe working load chart for this configuration
The examination also confirms that the rated capacity indicator and the limiters are set up for the jib length and configuration actually erected. A crane that was examined with a 50 metre jib on the last site is a different crane with a 60 metre jib on this one.
After erection, then every 12 months
Once the crane is in service it needs a thorough examination at least every 12 months, or at the intervals in a written scheme of examination drawn up by a competent person. Many operators use a scheme for tower cranes, with parts examined at different frequencies. It also needs examining after any exceptional circumstance: a storm above the out-of-service wind speed, a collision, an overload, or a significant repair or modification, including a jib length change.
The crane is also work equipment under PUWER 1998. That covers its maintenance (Regulation 5), the daily and weekly inspections (Regulation 6) and the training of the operator and slinger signaller (Regulation 9). The thorough examination under LOLER does not replace any of those. See LOLER vs PUWER.
BS 7121-2-5 is the British Standard code of practice for inspection, maintenance and thorough examination of tower cranes, and BS 7121-5 covers their safe use. Examiners and principal contractors work to both.
Who examines a tower crane
A competent person, with the knowledge and experience to find defects in tower cranes specifically. For a crane that has just been erected, this is usually an engineer from the crane supplier or an independent inspection body, and the examiner should be independent of the erection crew so the examination is an objective check on their work. The erection crew's own handover check is not the thorough examination.
What the principal contractor will ask for
Under CDM 2015 the principal contractor controls the site and will want, before the crane lifts:
- The report of thorough examination after erection, dated before first use
- The previous 12 month report if the crane has been in service elsewhere
- The lift plan and the appointed person's details under LOLER Regulation 8
- Evidence of the operator's and slinger signaller's competence
- The weekly and daily inspection records once the crane is in use
The report after erection is the one that gets lost. It is produced on site, by a contractor, on the day the crane goes up. If the only copy is on the examiner's laptop, the site cannot prove compliance when the HSE visits.
Keeping the records with the crane
A tower crane needs one record that follows it from site to site, with each erection, each examination and each defect logged against the crane. LolerFlow treats each site as a location, so the crane keeps its history across sites, the erection examination is recorded before the crane goes into service, and the next 12 month due date is visible to the office and to the site.
Sources
- The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/2307), Regulations 8, 9, 10 and 11, legislation.gov.uk
- HSE: Thorough examinations and inspections of lifting equipment, hse.gov.uk
- HSE L113: Safe use of lifting equipment, Approved Code of Practice
- BS 7121-2-5, Code of practice for the safe use of cranes. Inspection, maintenance and thorough examination. Tower cranes
- The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
Frequently asked questions
Does a tower crane need a thorough examination every time it is erected?
Yes. LOLER Regulation 9 requires a thorough examination after assembly and before use at each new site or location, because the crane's safety depends on how it is installed.
How often is a tower crane examined once it is in service?
At least every 12 months, or at the intervals set in a written scheme of examination. Also after any exceptional circumstance such as storm damage, overload or a jib change.
Is the erection crew's handover check the same as the thorough examination?
No. The handover check is part of erection. The thorough examination is an independent check by a competent person that the crane has been installed correctly and is safe to operate.
What is BS 7121-2-5?
The British Standard code of practice for the inspection, maintenance and thorough examination of tower cranes. Examiners and principal contractors work to it alongside LOLER.
Where do the reports need to be kept?
Available on site for inspection, and kept until the next report is made or for two years, whichever is later. The principal contractor will expect to see the erection report before the crane lifts.