Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
Applies to all types of Lifting Equipment

Operators
Persons involved in lifting operations should have received relevant training, have experience in operating equipment and be able to demonstrate their competence

Operating Conditions
All lifting operations must be properly planned and supervised by competent persons. The level of planning required should be relevant to the activity. All factors must be taken into account and loads should not be traversed over populated areas.  Loads must be prevented from free fall. Lifting equipment must be clearly marked to indicate the safe working load. If the SWL is variable due to the configuration of the equipment, the relevant variables should be marked thereon and supporting documentation made available to the users.

Examination 
Lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined at least every 6 months. A thorough examination must be carried out when :     The equipment is used for the first time by  you unless it is new equipment with a Declaration of Conformity made not more than 12 months before it is put into service. The equipment has been obtained from another undertaking unless it is accompanied by a copy of the previous report of thorough examination carried out within the last six months. All lifting equipment should be inspected prior to use on each occasion.  

Reports
The person carrying out  the thorough examination must make out a report as soon as possible. Any defects noted during the thorough examination or inspection must be notified to the user and the equipment must be taken out of use until the defect is rectified. No lifting equipment should leave any undertaking unless accompanied by physical evidence that the last thorough examination has been carried out.

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Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER  
Applies to all types of work equipment, including lifting equipment.

Responsibility for Inspection
 A number of parties will have responsibilities for ensuring the work equipment is safe to use and that it has been inspected in accordance with the inspection regime. Companies offering equipment for hire must ensure that all items comply with PUWER 98 and that periodic inspections are carried out by a competent person. If you use hired equipment you must determine from the supplier who will carry out the inspections and when they will be carried out.

Records of Inspection
These can be contained in a register or stored electronically. They must be easily accessible to those who use the equipment. If you use equipment acquired from another user, you must ensure that it is accompanied by physical evidence of the last inspection. If you provide equipment for use by others you must ensure that the equipment is accompanied by physical evidence of the last inspection.