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

Evidence to check

• • Current moving and handling / LOLER policy is available and reviewed
• • Policy covers hoists, stand aids, bath hoists, ceiling tracks, lifting cushions, slings and accessories
• • Policy explains LOLER examinations, pre-use checks, fault reporting, removal from use and incident response
• • Staff can explain their responsibilities for safe lifting equipment use

Evidence to check

• • Named moving and handling lead, maintenance lead, clinical lead or registered manager is documented
• • Responsibilities include asset register, LOLER schedule, defects, training and audit follow-up
• • Deputy or cover arrangements are in place
• • Responsible person can explain current LOLER status and outstanding actions

Evidence to check

• • Register includes mobile hoists, ceiling track hoists, stand aids, bath hoists, sit-to-stand devices, lifting cushions and slings
• • Register records asset ID, location, make/model, serial number, SWL, service history and next inspection date
• • Slings are individually identifiable and traceable
• • Inventory matches equipment physically available in the home

Evidence to check

• • LOLER and lifting equipment compliance is discussed in health and safety, quality or governance meetings
• • Audit findings and defects have named owners and deadlines
• • Overdue examinations or repeated faults are escalated
• • Completed actions are evidenced and reviewed for effectiveness

Evidence to check

• • Contractor competence, qualifications, insurance and service agreement are retained
• • Scope includes hoists, stand aids, ceiling tracks, slings and accessories as required
• • Reports are reviewed by the responsible person
• • Contractor recommendations are not left unactioned

Evidence to check

• • Risk assessments cover falls, entrapment, sling failure, misuse, battery failure, hoist instability and incompatibility
• • Resident-specific and task-specific risks are considered
• • Environmental risks such as space, flooring, furniture and door thresholds are included
• • Risk assessments are reviewed after incidents, equipment changes or changes in resident needs

Evidence to check

• • LOLER examination reports are current for mobile hoists and lifting accessories
• • Examination frequency meets legal and risk-based requirements
• • No hoist or accessory is used beyond its examination due date without risk review and action
• • Reports include defects, recommendations and next due date

Evidence to check

• • Ceiling track hoist examination and service reports are current
• • Track, motor, charging system, handset and safety features are included
• • Any local risk-based frequency is documented
• • Defects or restrictions are followed up promptly

Evidence to check

• • Slings and lifting accessories have unique identification where required
• • Accessories are included in LOLER or inspection schedules
• • Spreader bars, hooks, loops and clips are checked for wear or damage
• • Unidentified or unlabelled accessories are removed from use

Evidence to check

• • Current LOLER certificates or thorough examination reports are available
• • Reports identify equipment clearly by asset ID or serial number
• • Defects are classified and timescales are stated
• • Reports are retained and accessible for inspection

Evidence to check

• • Unsafe equipment is physically removed or clearly isolated
• • DO NOT USE labels are applied immediately
• • Staff know not to use failed or expired equipment
• • Temporary alternative equipment is arranged where needed

Evidence to check

• • Defect tracker includes date, asset, defect, risk level, action and completion date
• • Repairs or replacements are evidenced
• • High-risk defects are escalated immediately
• • Equipment is not returned to use until safe

Evidence to check

• • Repair records are retained
• • Post-repair inspection or re-test is documented where required
• • Equipment status is updated on the register
• • Staff are informed when equipment is safe to use again

Evidence to check

• • Moving and handling assessment states the correct equipment type
• • Selection considers resident mobility, weight-bearing ability, cognition, pain, dignity and environment
• • Equipment in use matches the care plan
• • Unsuitable substitutions are not used for convenience

Evidence to check

• • Manufacturer compatibility information is available or referenced
• • Sling attachment system matches the hoist and spreader bar
• • Staff know not to mix incompatible clips, loops or attachments
• • Compatibility is checked when equipment changes

Evidence to check

• • Assessment specifies sling size and type
• • Sling type matches the task, such as full body, hygiene, commode, amputee, in-situ or toileting
• • Resident comfort, skin integrity, posture and dignity are considered
• • Sling choice is reviewed when resident weight, shape or ability changes

Evidence to check

• • Hoist, sling, bed, chair and environment SWL are checked and documented
• • Bariatric equipment is available where required
• • Room layout allows safe manoeuvring and turning
• • Staffing and technique are risk assessed for bariatric transfers

Evidence to check

• • Accessories such as limb slings, head supports or specialist attachments are recorded
• • Accessory use is clinically justified and included in the care plan
• • Accessories are inspected for damage and compatibility
• • Staff are trained in correct use

Evidence to check

• • Storage systems separate sling types, sizes and resident-specific equipment
• • Colour coding or labelling is used where helpful
• • Staff understand compatibility checks before use
• • Incompatible equipment is removed or clearly segregated

Evidence to check

• • Assessment is completed on admission or before transfer support begins
• • Review occurs after falls, hospital admission, deterioration, surgery, pain changes or weight change
• • Assessment includes resident ability, equipment, environment and staff support required
• • Updated assessments are communicated to staff

Evidence to check

• • Care plan states hoist type, sling type and size, number of staff and transfer technique
• • Positioning guidance is clear, including sling fitting and chair or bed positioning
• • Staff can describe the plan without guessing
• • Daily practice matches the written plan

Evidence to check

• • Care plan gives task-specific transfer instructions
• • Floor recovery plans are clear where resident is at falls risk
• • Bathing and toileting transfers are risk assessed separately where needed
• • Staff know what to do if the usual equipment is unavailable

Evidence to check

• • Assessment considers fragile skin, pain, fractures, contractures, osteoporosis, spasticity, amputations and wounds
• • Transfer method protects skin, joints, limbs and dignity
• • Clinical advice is sought where risk is complex
• • Care plan is updated when clinical risk changes

Evidence to check

• • Care plan identifies triggers and reassurance strategies
• • Staff use communication, pacing, familiar staff and choice where possible
• • Distress during transfers is recorded and reviewed
• • Behaviour support, MCA or clinical review is considered where needed

Evidence to check

• • Staff seek consent before transfers
• • Decision-specific mental capacity assessment is completed where needed
• • Best-interest decision includes least-restrictive and safest options
• • Refusal or distress is recorded and escalated appropriately

Evidence to check

• • Resident preferences around privacy, pace, reassurance, communication and staff gender are recorded where relevant
• • Family or representative input is documented where appropriate and lawful
• • Resident dignity remains central
• • Preferences are followed in daily practice where safe

Evidence to check

• • Staff check battery level, brakes, castors, emergency stop, controls, spreader bar and visible condition
• • Pre-use checks are included in training and competency
• • Faults identified before use are escalated and equipment is not used
• • Observation confirms staff do not skip checks

Evidence to check

• • Staff check stitching, fabric, loops, clips, labels and contamination
• • Damaged or unlabelled slings are removed from use
• • Contaminated slings are managed through IPC process
• • Observation confirms sling checks happen before transfers

Evidence to check

• • SWL labels are visible on hoists, stand aids, slings and accessories
• • Staff understand that the lowest SWL in the equipment chain applies
• • Resident weight is known where relevant to equipment selection
• • Equipment with missing or illegible SWL is removed until verified

Evidence to check

• • Hoists are charged using correct chargers
• • Charging areas avoid trailing leads, heat sources and obstruction
• • Battery levels are checked before use
• • Battery faults or repeated low charge issues are investigated

Evidence to check

• • Staff can explain emergency lowering procedure
• • Training includes emergency lowering and equipment failure response
• • Testing is completed where required by manufacturer or local process
• • Emergency lowering instructions are accessible

Evidence to check

• • Hoists are visibly clean and in good condition
• • Storage locations are safe and accessible
• • Hoists do not block fire exits, corridors or resident access
• • Cleaning and storage concerns are acted on promptly

Evidence to check

• • Sling labels show size, type, SWL, manufacturer and ID where required
• • Labels remain legible after laundering
• • Slings with unreadable labels are removed from use
• • Traceability is maintained for resident-specific or shared slings

Evidence to check

• • Cleaning schedule includes hoists, handles, controls, spreader bars and contact points
• • Cleaning records are completed
• • Enhanced cleaning is completed after body fluid contamination or infection risk
• • Staff know which products to use safely

Evidence to check

• • Manufacturer laundering guidance is available
• • Laundry process follows temperature, detergent and drying instructions
• • Heat damage, shrinkage, fraying or loss of label clarity is monitored
• • Damaged slings are removed from use

Evidence to check

• • Resident-specific slings are clearly labelled and stored separately
• • Shared slings are cleaned between residents where required
• • Storage areas are clean, dry and organised
• • IPC risks are considered during outbreaks

Evidence to check

• • Contaminated slings are bagged, labelled and laundered safely
• • Staff use PPE and hand hygiene when handling contaminated slings
• • Slings are replaced where contamination or damage cannot be resolved
• • Contamination incidents are recorded where required

Evidence to check

• • Disposable slings are used only according to manufacturer guidance
• • Single-use items are not reused
• • Disposal follows waste and IPC policy
• • Staff can identify single-use versus reusable slings

Evidence to check

• • Equipment is cleaned before and after movement where required
• • Outbreak or isolation precautions are followed
• • Shared equipment movement is controlled
• • Staff understand cross-contamination risks

Evidence to check

• • Training matrix shows moving and handling completion
• • Training includes local hoists, slings, stand aids and emergency procedures
• • Staff do not complete hoisting before training and sign-off
• • Training is refreshed according to policy and after incidents

Evidence to check

• • Competency assessments are completed for relevant staff
• • Competency includes pre-use checks, sling selection, fitting, communication and emergency response
• • Reassessment is completed after incidents, concerns or refresher training
• • Competency records are retained and monitored

Evidence to check

• • Local induction records include lifting equipment and transfer plans
• • Agency staff are briefed on resident-specific moving and handling risks
• • New staff are supervised until competent
• • Temporary staff are not allocated complex transfers without support

Evidence to check

• • Staff can identify the correct sling from the care plan
• • Observation confirms correct attachment of loops or clips
• • Staff understand colour loops or positioning guidance where applicable
• • Incorrect selection or attachment is corrected immediately

Evidence to check

• • Care plans state number of staff required
• • Staff communicate with each other and the resident throughout the transfer
• • Resident is positioned safely and comfortably before movement
• • Privacy, dignity and reassurance are maintained

Evidence to check

• • Staff can describe stop points, such as wrong sling, distress, pain, equipment fault or insufficient space
• • Staff feel able to pause a transfer without blame
• • Unsafe transfers are escalated promptly
• • Care plans are reviewed after unsafe transfer concerns

Evidence to check

• • Incident records include sling slipping, resident distress, equipment failure, near falls or staff injury
• • Investigation considers equipment, training, environment, staffing and care plan accuracy
• • Resident and staff impact is reviewed
• • Immediate safety actions are taken

Evidence to check

• • Incident learning is shared through meetings, supervision or training
• • Care plans and risk assessments are updated
• • Equipment changes or repairs are completed where needed
• • Follow-up checks confirm safer practice

Evidence to check

• • Maintenance logs include breakdowns, repairs, servicing and LOLER checks
• • Logs are linked to asset ID or serial number
• • Recurring faults are visible and reviewed
• • Records are accessible for audit and inspection

Evidence to check

• • Fault reporting process is known by staff
• • Unsafe equipment is labelled and isolated
• • Maintenance or contractor response is tracked
• • Alternative safe equipment is arranged where needed

Evidence to check

• • Fault trends are reviewed by equipment type, location and user group
• • Repeated misuse leads to retraining or supervision
• • Persistent equipment faults trigger replacement or procurement review
• • Themes are discussed through governance

Evidence to check

• • Equipment availability matches resident dependency and layout of the home
• • Staff do not manually lift due to unavailable hoists or slings
• • Peak-time demand is considered
• • Shortages are escalated and addressed promptly

Evidence to check

• • Slings are stored clean, dry and organised
• • Sizes and types are separated or clearly labelled
• • Resident-specific slings are stored appropriately
• • Labels are visible enough to support safe selection

Evidence to check

• • Ceiling track service and inspection records are current
• • Track movement is smooth with no visible damage or obstruction
• • Motors, chargers and handsets are checked
• • Faults are reported and systems removed from use if unsafe

Evidence to check

• • Spare batteries or handsets are available where needed
• • Charging arrangements are safe and organised
• • Faulty handsets or batteries are removed from use
• • Staff know where spare equipment is kept

Evidence to check

• • Specialist sling needs are recorded in care plans
• • Suitable sling sizes and types are available
• • Staff do not improvise or use unsuitable substitutes
• • Delays in sourcing specialist equipment are escalated

Evidence to check

• • LOLER register is available immediately
• • Register includes hoists, slings and lifting accessories
• • Sampled equipment matches the register
• • Overdue or missing items are identified and actioned

Evidence to check

• • Staff can demonstrate pre-use checks safely
• • Staff select sling type and size according to the care plan
• • Staff explain SWL and compatibility checks
• • Any gaps are addressed through immediate coaching or retraining

Evidence to check

• • Recent defect examples are available
• • Evidence shows equipment was labelled or removed from use
• • Repair, replacement or re-test was completed before reuse
• • Learning from the defect was shared where relevant

Evidence to check

• • Care plans specify equipment that is physically available and safe to use
• • No mismatch exists between planned equipment and available hoists or slings
• • Staff know what to do if specified equipment is unavailable
• • Equipment availability issues are escalated and resolved

Evidence to check

• • Audit includes observation of transfers where appropriate
• • Audit checks resident comfort, dignity, consent, communication and safe technique
• • Audit compares care plans with real equipment use
• • Actions lead to safer, more dignified and more consistent moving and handling practice

Evidence to check

• • Governance reviews consider links between moving and handling, falls, wounds, pressure damage and incidents
• • Staff injury and resident distress are monitored as part of equipment safety
• • IPC risks from shared equipment and slings are included
• • Actions address both legal compliance and real safety outcomes