Church lifting equipment

Broadly speaking, lifting equipment includes any powered or non-powered equipment for lifting or lowering loads. It includes any attachments used for anchoring, fixing, or supporting loads, such as chains and eyebolts.

Some churches have ornate font covers that are raised and lowered by a system of pulleys. Similar mechanisms are also used to raise and lower other fixtures, such as large candelabras.

In larger churches, you may find other lifting equipment, such as chair and passenger lifts, hoists, and lifting equipment associated with construction work.

As an employer or someone in control of lifting equipment, you will need to make sure that it is:

• Strong, stable, and suitable for its intended use
• Positioned or installed to prevent people from being injured
• Clearly marked with appropriate safety information

Lifting equipment needs to be marked with its safe working load, and you need to provide simple instructions for use. It will need to be thoroughly examined by a relevant person every 12 months. However, this periodicity can be varied in accordance with any advice provided by them. This would need to be confirmed in writing.