What’s the Difference Between LOLER and PUWER in Care Homes?

When you manage or oversee a care home, compliance isn’t just a box-ticking exercise — it’s directly tied to resident safety, staff wellbeing, and CQC inspection outcomes. Among the many regulations you’re expected to follow, two often cause confusion: LOLER and PUWER. So, what is the difference between LOLER and PUWER, and what do care homes actually need to do to stay compliant? Let’s break it down in plain English.

In a care home setting, misunderstanding the difference between LOLER and PUWER can lead to missed inspections, equipment risks, and avoidable CQC concerns. Knowing which regulation applies — and when both apply — is essential for staying compliant.

What Is the Difference Between LOLER and PUWER?

LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) are both part of UK health and safety law. They often apply to the same piece of equipment, but cover different aspects of its safety.

• LOLER focuses on how lifting equipment is used, and whether it’s safe to lift people or loads. It requires regular inspections by a competent person — often every 6 months.
• PUWER covers all work equipment, including how it’s maintained, used, and stored — not just lifting equipment.

In care homes, this distinction is critical. If you have a hoist, it falls under both LOLER and PUWER. PUWER helps ensure it’s in safe working order. LOLER helps ensure it’s safe to actually lift residents or items.

Easy way to remember it:

PUWER = covers the equipment
LOLER = covers the lifting operation

What Equipment Is Covered by PUWER?

PUWER applies to any equipment used at work — whether by staff or provided for residents’ care. In a care home, that includes:

• Beds (especially electric profiling beds)
• Trolleys
• Wheelchairs
• Cleaning equipment
• Floor scrubbers
• Pressure washers
• Kitchen appliances
• Maintenance tools
• Hoists and slings
• Stand aids
• Shower chairs and commodes

All of this equipment must be:

• Suitable for the task
• Maintained in safe condition
• Used by trained individuals
• Regularly inspected and risk assessed

Care homes often miss PUWER compliance on things like cleaning machinery or electrical equipment that isn’t part of manual handling, but still poses risk.

What Equipment Is Covered by LOLER?

LOLER applies to any equipment used for lifting people or loads, especially where there is significant risk if the equipment fails. In care homes, this usually includes:

• Mobile hoists
• Ceiling track hoists
• Standing aids
• Slings
• Bath lifts
• Patient transfer equipment

Although slings are listed alongside hoists and other lifting equipment, they are frequently misunderstood or overlooked in practice. Slings are classed as lifting accessories and have their own inspection frequency and failure criteria. Our guide to LOLER sling testing in care homes explains what must be checked, how often inspections are required, and how to avoid common compliance gaps.

To fall under LOLER, equipment must be used in a lifting operation — meaning it raises, lowers, or supports a load. For example, an electric profiling bed may not count as LOLER-regulated unless it includes a lifting component (like a hoist arm). If you’re unsure, it’s safest to treat all patient-lifting equipment as requiring LOLER inspection.

Learn more about Able’s LOLER service here.

Does PUWER Apply to Lifting Equipment?

Yes — PUWER does apply to lifting equipment, but it only addresses part of the safety picture.

Let’s say you have a ceiling track hoist. PUWER helps ensure:

• It is correctly installed
• Staff are trained to use it
• It is serviced and kept in good condition

However, LOLER adds another layer of regulation. It requires a thorough examination of that lifting equipment by a competent person at set intervals (typically every 6 months for people-lifting devices). It also includes proper planning of lifting operations.

So if you’re asking, “Does PUWER apply to lifting equipment?” — yes, it does. But LOLER goes further, and both are legally required.

Why It Matters for Care Homes

Care homes face a unique mix of risks: lifting residents safely, using mechanical beds, operating cleaning machines, and storing sharp kitchen tools — often in the same environment. That’s why understanding the difference between LOLER and PUWER is so important. During inspections, regulators often expect clear documentation showing that both LOLER and PUWER responsibilities are understood and acted upon.

Non-compliance could mean:

• Failing a CQC inspection
• Increased injury risk to staff or residents
• Legal liability in the event of an accident

But with clear planning and support, meeting these requirements can be straightforward.

Need Help Managing LOLER and PUWER Compliance?

Understanding the difference between LOLER and PUWER is one thing — ensuring both are properly managed is another.

In care homes, lifting equipment must undergo legally required LOLER inspections at defined intervals, while all work equipment must meet PUWER standards for safe use and maintenance.

Able carries out compliant LOLER testing and supports care homes in identifying equipment that requires inspection, servicing, or corrective action.

In Summary

The difference between LOLER and PUWER lies in their focus:

• PUWER covers safe use and maintenance of all work equipment.
• LOLER applies specifically to lifting operations and requires regular independent inspections.

In a care home, understanding and acting on both is essential for resident safety, staff protection, and regulatory compliance. If in doubt, get help — because when it comes to lifting and equipment safety, it’s always better to be proactive than reactive.

Understanding the difference between LOLER and PUWER is the first step. Acting on it protects residents, staff, and your CQC rating.

If your lifting equipment is due inspection — or if you’re unsure whether your setup meets current standards — we can help.

LOLER and PUWER FAQs