What regulation would we like to deal with first? LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) mandates that lifting gear, task appropriate, properly labeled, and examined on a regular basis by a competent individual. 

Competent individual is LOLER’s most problematic provision. It’s not enough to have a body in chair. LOLER examinations require an individual with the right blend of training, expertise, and experience in detecting flaws and appreciation if and how their extent and seriousness matters. 

This is the usual case. However, larger companies often upskill their own staff to the appropriate standards. In either case, however, the absence of adequate paperwork is a deal breaker. This is something inspectors will look at, and the consequences of non-compliance can be serious. 

Choosing a Provider 

Of course, the price is a factor. However, the reality is that with lifting equipment, the lower price is most often the highest price. Equipment that deteriorates quickly causes downtime, or, in the worst case, an incident, costs way more than what you would have saved in the beginning. 

Your experience with suppliers is more positive when they have certifications, maintain stock, have reasonable lead times, and offer quality technical support. Technical support enables you to solve problems quickly, instead of dealing with representatives who simply read specifications and won’t help with issues outside of the standard scope.   

Some providers offer training sessions on specific equipment as well as on lifting operations in general. Compliance training is not the only reason to do this; having operators trained to a proper standard will help mitigate equipment damage and increase the likelihood of identifying problems before they escalate.   

The best equipment still needs proper oversight. Pre-inspections should be standard practice with all operators performing a visual, damage and wear examination before use. If you think something is wrong, there is a good chance something is wrong.   

Beyond daily, informal inspections, you must have LOLER examinations performed on a schedule that is appropriate to the level of risk tied to the equipment in question, though this is usually at least annually. Good organization is key with this documentation. If an event occurs, you will be asked for a history of inspections, and this will be used as a starting point for any inquiries. 

Making the Right Decision 

In the end, the selection of lifting equipment is based on understanding your needs, collaborating with knowledgeable suppliers, and ensuring proper maintenance while the equipment is in active use. No one product is “best.” Instead, it’s about having the appropriate equipment for the given job, using it properly, and maintaining it. 

Be patient in the decision-making process. The consequences of making the wrong decision, whether in terms of downtime, the need for replacement of equipment, and workplace accidents, are always more costly than the cost required to get it right the first time. 

One of the best ways to combat low headroom in a workshop or other commercial setting is with a jib crane. Adaptable and flexible, jib cranes can be customised so that they fit into low headroom areas and will still be able to perform the same set of tasks as required. Jib cranes are more useful than other types of crane for this very reason.

One of the main ways a jib crane can be made to fit into a tighter, low headroom space is by being under braced. This still allows for maximum hook path, whilst allowing for the crane to be fitted into a low headroom area. Jib cranes can also have different mounting types that make them more accommodating, like wall or post mountings. In particularly tight spaces, bespoke jib cranes can be made from scratch to fit into the space and provide the required functionality for the lifting operatives.

Your business needs to be able to make money, as well as having equipment that it can rely on. It’s a fine balance in construction, where any equipment is probably going to be expensive and quite a big investment for your business. However, by investing in this equipment, you are also giving yourself more opportunity to expand your business and make more money in the long run, securing your financial future through good investment. If this sounds like some of the concerns and thoughts you have been having about your construction business, then you might want to consider buying second hand. This will allow you to obtain materials for much lower prices, that are also reliable, well serviced and able to give you many years of high performance. Cranes are one of those examples, where you will probably be able to make some significant savings by choosing lower cost equipment, whilst still getting lifting equipment you can rely on.

Have you ever thought about choosing second hand cranes as opposed to brand new ones? It’s something that some businesses are comfortable with, whilst others are a little more unsure due to the important nature of a crane within their business. However, if you find the right used cranes for you, then you can source ones that will offer you excellent value for money. They will have all the functionality you need, at a lower cost.

Balancing cost and quality when buying used cranes

It’s not always easy to know whether a crane will be of the right quality for your business. You won’t know its full history, and you won’t know how it has been treated in the past. You can rest assured to a large extent that no crane will be sold by a good supplier if it doesn’t have the right paperwork. In order to comply with LOLER and PUWER, lifting regulations that you will no doubt be familiar with, cranes need to be serviced regularly. You should check that all cranes you are thinking about buying come with all their paperwork and have all the details of their previous services. This will also reveal any former damage, so you can weigh up the pros and cons for yourself.

It all comes down to the crane supplier

A good lifting equipment seller will be good seller whether they are supplying brand new cranes, or older, second hand cranes. You have the opportunity to find a good supplier and form good connections with them over time, so you can find someone who is trustworthy and reliable for all of your lifting equipment needs.

If you have a supplier you have worked with before, ask them whether they supply used jib, bridge or gantry cranes. Many suppliers don’t advertise their stock, but will look for you and check what they have available if this is something that interests you. Once they know of your interests in buying used lifting equipment, they will be able to look out for cranes, hoists and other components that you might want to consider buying as used.

Cranes need to be serviced regularly, as you will no doubt realise if you own lifting equipment yourself, or operate it on a regular basis. Cranes that go beyond their servicing date deadlines cannot be used safely, as they might not be operating correctly. Under LOLER and PUWER, you need to make sure you have fulfilled your servicing duties.

If you are ready for a crane service, there will be various providers who offer servicing. Here is some of the criteria they should meet before you select your crane servicing partner:

• Experienced. Look for a servicing provider who knows their industry inside out and has experienced servicing technicians.
• Knows your brand. There are many crane brands on the market, so select a servicing provider who understands and specialises in your brand.
• Flexible. Look for someone who can service your crane at the times your need, and who can come out to your site.