Lifting Equipment, Hoists, Slings, Stand Aids, (LOLER) Audit - Care Homes

Q1 | Unanswered

Is there a current Moving & Handling / Lifting Equipment (LOLER) policy that defines responsibilities, inspection, maintenance, training, and incident response?

Q2 | Unanswered

Is there a named competent person responsible for LOLER compliance (e.g., moving & handling lead, maintenance lead, registered manager)?

Q3 | Unanswered

Is there an up-to-date register/inventory of all lifting equipment (mobile hoists, ceiling track hoists, stand aids, bath hoists, sit-to-stand devices, lifting cushions) and all associated slings?

Q4 | Unanswered

Are LOLER arrangements monitored through governance (audit cycle, quality meetings) with actions tracked to completion?

Q5 | Unanswered

Are contractors used for thorough examinations suitably competent and independent as required, with clear scope and service level agreements?

Q6 | Unanswered

Are risk assessments in place for lifting operations and equipment hazards (falls, entrapment, strap failure, misuse, battery failure, equipment incompatibility)?

Q7 | Unanswered

Are all patient lifting hoists and lifting accessories subject to thorough examination at least every 6 months (or as required by risk assessment)?

Q8 | Unanswered

Are fixed/ceiling track hoists and lifting systems thoroughly examined at least every 12 months (or per risk assessment), with evidence retained?

Q9 | Unanswered

Are lifting accessories (slings, spreader bars, clips, loops) included in thorough examination schedules and clearly identifiable?

Q10 | Unanswered

Are LOLER certificates/reports available, in date, and include defects, recommendations, and timescales for remedial actions?

Q11 | Unanswered

Are any hoists/accessories labelled ‘DO NOT USE’ immediately when failed/unsafe, and removed from service effectively?

Q12 | Unanswered

Are defects from LOLER reports actioned promptly and tracked to closure with evidence (repair/replacement/re-test)?

Q13 | Unanswered

Are post-repair checks and re-certification completed before equipment is returned to use?

Q14 | Unanswered

Is the correct type of hoist selected for each resident (mobile vs ceiling track vs stand aid) based on assessment and environment?

Q15 | Unanswered

Are slings compatible with the specific hoist/spreader bar in use (manufacturer compatibility and correct attachment system)?

Q16 | Unanswered

Are sling sizes and types (full body, hygiene/commode, amputee, in-situ, toileting) matched to resident needs and risk assessment?

Q17 | Unanswered

Are bariatric residents supported with appropriately rated equipment (SWL) for hoist, sling, and environment (space/turning)?

Q18 | Unanswered

Are additional accessories used appropriately (e.g., limb slings, head supports) and included in inspection routines?

Q19 | Unanswered

Is there a process to prevent mixing incompatible slings and hoists (standardised kit, colour coding, storage controls)?

Q20 | Unanswered

Is an individual moving & handling risk assessment completed on admission and reviewed regularly (and after falls/health changes)?

Q21 | Unanswered

Does the care plan specify the exact equipment to be used (hoist type, sling type/size, number of staff, technique, positioning)?

Q22 | Unanswered

Are transfer plans clear for each relevant activity (bed-chair, chair-toilet, floor recovery, bathing) with consistent instructions?

Q23 | Unanswered

Are residents’ clinical risks considered (fragile skin, pain, fractures, contractures, osteoporosis, spasticity, amputations)?

Q24 | Unanswered

For residents who resist transfers or have distress behaviours, are strategies recorded to reduce risk and distress during hoisting?

Q25 | Unanswered

Is capacity/consent considered for transfers, with best-interests decisions recorded where appropriate?

Q26 | Unanswered

Are family/representatives involved where appropriate and preferences captured (privacy, pace, reassurance, communication needs)?

Q27 | Unanswered

Do staff complete pre-use checks before each hoist use (battery level, brakes, castors, emergency stop, controls, spreader bar)?

Q28 | Unanswered

Are slings checked before each use for wear/damage (fraying, torn stitching, damaged loops/clips, label missing, contamination)?

Q29 | Unanswered

Are SWL (safe working load) labels present and legible on hoists and slings, and are staff aware of these limits?

Q30 | Unanswered

Are hoists charged safely (no trailing leads, correct charger, ventilation, no charging under bedding/near heat sources)?

Q31 | Unanswered

Are emergency lowering functions tested/understood, and are staff confident to use them in an emergency?

Q32 | Unanswered

Are hoists kept clean, maintained, and stored safely (not blocking corridors, not creating trip hazards)?

Q33 | Unanswered

Are sling labels intact and readable (size, type, SWL, manufacturer ID) to ensure traceability and safe selection?

Q34 | Unanswered

Are cleaning schedules in place for hoists and spreader bars, including after contamination incidents?

Q35 | Unanswered

Are slings laundered in line with manufacturer instructions (temperature, detergent, drying method) to avoid degradation?

Q36 | Unanswered

Are slings segregated by resident where required (single-person use) and stored to prevent cross-contamination?

Q37 | Unanswered

Is there a robust process for managing contaminated slings (bagging, laundering, replacement if damaged)?

Q38 | Unanswered

Are single-use/disposable slings used appropriately (where required) and disposed of safely?

Q39 | Unanswered

Are infection control considerations applied when moving equipment between rooms/units, especially during outbreaks?

Q40 | Unanswered

Have all staff involved in hoisting received moving & handling training that includes hoists, slings, and equipment-specific competence?

Q41 | Unanswered

Are staff assessed as competent and re-assessed at defined intervals, with records retained?

Q42 | Unanswered

Do new/agency staff receive local induction on the home’s specific equipment and resident transfer plans before providing transfers?

Q43 | Unanswered

Do staff know how to select the correct sling type/size and attach it safely to the spreader bar/loops?

Q44 | Unanswered

Is there guidance for two-person transfers, communication during hoisting, and safe positioning to protect dignity and comfort?

Q45 | Unanswered

Are staff trained to recognise when a transfer is unsafe and how to escalate (stop, seek help, reassess plan)?

Q46 | Unanswered

Are hoisting incidents/near misses recorded (e.g., sling slipping, resident distress, equipment failure) and investigated?

Q47 | Unanswered

Is there evidence of learning and practice change following hoisting incidents (updated plans, retraining, equipment changes)?

Q48 | Unanswered

Are maintenance logs kept for each hoist (breakdowns, repairs, servicing) and linked to the asset register?

Q49 | Unanswered

Is there a clear process for reporting faults and taking equipment out of service immediately?

Q50 | Unanswered

Are recurring faults or repeated misuse patterns identified and addressed (training, replacement, procurement changes)?

Q51 | Unanswered

Is there sufficient lifting equipment available to meet needs without unsafe shortcuts (e.g., manual lifting due to lack of hoists)?

Q52 | Unanswered

Are slings stored in a way that supports correct selection (label visible, sizes separated, resident-specific storage where needed)?

Q53 | Unanswered

Are ceiling track systems maintained to ensure smooth, safe movement (track condition, chargers, handsets, motor servicing)?

Q54 | Unanswered

Are spare batteries/handsets managed safely and available where required to prevent unsafe delays during transfers?

Q55 | Unanswered

Are bariatric and specialist slings readily available when needed (no reliance on unsuitable substitutes)?

Q56 | Unanswered

Can the home produce the LOLER register showing each hoist/sling ID, location, SWL, last thorough exam date, and next due date?

Q57 | Unanswered

Can staff demonstrate pre-use checks and correct sling selection for a resident’s transfer plan?

Q58 | Unanswered

Are there examples of recent LOLER defects and evidence they were actioned, equipment removed from use, and safely reinstated?

Q59 | Unanswered

Do care records clearly align resident transfer plans with the equipment available on-site (no mismatch between plan and reality)?