LOLER & PUWER Inspection Services for Residential Care Homes
Cert Safe Inspection Services Ltd provides independent inspection and examination services for residential care homes, nursing homes, supported living facilities and other care environments.
Care homes rely on a range of lifting and work equipment to support residents and enable staff to carry out their duties safely. Ensuring this equipment is properly maintained, inspected and, where applicable, subject to a Thorough Examination is an important part of effective equipment management.
We provide a professional inspection service designed around the needs of care providers, with clear reporting and flexible scheduling to minimise disruption to residents and staff.
Lifting Equipment in Care Homes
A wide range of equipment used within residential care environments may fall within the scope of LOLER, depending on its purpose and use. Equipment we can examine includes:
- Mobile patient hoists
- Fixed and wall-mounted hoists
- Ceiling track hoists
- Overhead lifting systems
- Patient lifting accessories
- Slings
- Stand aids
- Bath lifts
- Platform lifts
- Stair lifts
- Vehicle Tail Lift
- Other lifting equipment
Where equipment is used for lifting or lowering people at work, the applicable LOLER examination requirements should be established and followed.
LOLER Thorough Examinations
Where LOLER applies, lifting equipment must be subject to Thorough Examination by a competent person at appropriate intervals.
For equipment used to lift people, and for lifting accessories, the standard LOLER interval is generally at least every six months unless a suitable written examination scheme specifies another interval.
Our Engineer Surveyors examine relevant safety-critical components and record the findings in a formal Thorough Examination report.
Where defects are identified, these are clearly reported so that the responsible person can take appropriate action.
Patient Hoists & Slings
Patient hoists and slings are particularly important pieces of equipment within care environments. Repeated use, resident weight, handling conditions, cleaning processes and general wear can all contribute to deterioration. Our examinations can cover relevant aspects of hoists and associated lifting accessories, including:
- Structural condition
- Lifting mechanisms
- Braking and lowering systems
- Suspension arrangements
- Hooks and attachment points
- Slings and attachment points
- Castors and frames where relevant
- Safety devices
- Controls
- Signs of wear, damage or deterioration
- Identification and safe working load
The precise scope of examination depends on the equipment and the examination requirements applicable to it.
PUWER Inspections
Care homes also use a wide range of work equipment that may fall within PUWER. Depending on the equipment, this can include:
- Powered doors
- Automatic doors
- Powered gates
- Kitchen equipment
- Laundry equipment
- Cleaning machinery
- Workshop equipment
- Maintenance equipment
- Other workplace machinery and equipment
Where inspection is necessary under PUWER, the inspection frequency should be determined according to the equipment, its use, the environment and the risks involved.
Clear Equipment Records
Care homes can have a significant number of individual items of lifting equipment, particularly where multiple floors, wings or care areas are involved. Accurate equipment identification and examination records are therefore essential. Our reporting provides a clear record of:
- Equipment identification
- Location
- Examination date
- Examination findings
- Defects identified
- Required action
- Relevant examination dates
This can help responsible persons and facilities managers maintain an organised equipment compliance record.
Minimising Disruption
We understand that care homes are working environments where inspections need to be carried out with consideration for residents, visitors and staff.
We can arrange examinations around the operation of the home and, where practical, inspect multiple items during a planned visit.
Our aim is to provide a professional service while keeping disruption to residents and care staff to a minimum.
Managing Multiple Care Homes
For organisations operating multiple residential care homes, keeping track of examination dates across different locations can become challenging.
CSIS can support multi-site care providers with planned inspection programmes covering individual homes or wider equipment portfolios.
This can provide a consistent approach to inspection and reporting across multiple locations.
Inspection Does Not Replace Maintenance
A Thorough Examination is not a substitute for servicing, maintenance, pre-use checks or other routine safety arrangements.
Care providers remain responsible for ensuring that equipment is maintained in a safe condition and that appropriate procedures are in place for its use.
Where a defect is identified during an examination or inspection, the responsible person must ensure that appropriate action is taken.
Independent
Independent examination and inspection services without an interest in selling equipment repairs or maintenance.
Experienced
Experience across a broad range of lifting equipment and workplace equipment.
Clear Reporting
Straightforward reports designed to clearly communicate findings and any action requiring attention.
Flexible Scheduling
Inspection programmes arranged around the operation of the care home wherever practical.
Multi-Site Support
Inspection services available for individual care homes and larger care-provider portfolios.
Local & Nationwide
Based in High Wycombe, providing coverage across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and surrounding areas, with nationwide coverage available.
Keep Your Care Equipment Compliant
From individual patient hoists and slings to complete multi-site care-home portfolios, Cert Safe Inspection Services Ltd provides independent LOLER and PUWER inspection services designed around the needs of care providers.