PUWER vs LOLER — what's the difference?
They are constantly confused, and the answer is simple: PUWER covers all work equipment; LOLER adds extra duties for lifting equipment. For a lot of kit, both apply at once.
| PUWER | LOLER | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | All work equipment | Lifting equipment and lifting accessories only |
| Key duties | Suitable, maintained, inspected, guarded, used by trained people | Strong/stable/marked, positioned to minimise risk, lifts planned by a competent person, thorough examination |
| Periodic check | Inspection where deterioration could cause danger (risk-based interval) | Thorough examination — 6-monthly (people/accessories), 12-monthly (other), or by scheme |
| Example item | Bench saw, ladder, photocopier, forklift | Crane, hoist, sling, tail-lift, passenger lift, forklift |
The simple way to hold it in your head
PUWER is the baseline for every piece of work equipment — is it suitable, maintained, inspected, guarded, and used by trained people? LOLER then adds a lifting-specific layer on top for anything that lifts: is it strong, stable and marked, positioned to minimise risk, examined thoroughly on schedule, and are lifts planned by a competent person? Nothing that lifts escapes PUWER by being under LOLER — it has to satisfy both.
Where they overlap
The overlap is where most confusion lives. A forklift, a vehicle tail-lift, a scaffold hoist — each is work equipment (PUWER) and lifting equipment (LOLER). In practice that means PUWER maintenance and inspection and LOLER thorough examination, both recorded. The regimes complement rather than replace each other.
Track both, in one register
Complys holds your equipment register and schedules PUWER inspections and LOLER thorough examinations against each item, so nothing falls between the two regimes.
FAQs
Does LOLER replace PUWER for lifting equipment?
No — it adds to it. Lifting equipment must still meet PUWER (suitable, maintained, safe controls, trained users) and also meet LOLER's extra lifting-specific duties. Both apply at once.
Why is a forklift covered by both?
A forklift is work equipment (PUWER) and it lifts loads (LOLER). So it needs PUWER maintenance/inspection and safe use, and LOLER thorough examination and planned lifting operations. It is the classic example of the two regimes overlapping.
Do both apply in Northern Ireland?
The equivalents do: the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999. The Great Britain regulations are the 1998 versions.
Related: what is PUWER, what is LOLER, and LOLER thorough examination explained.