Research carried out by leasing company ING has revealed there is widespread confusion about the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and how often vehicles should be checked.

This is despite 75% of those companies surveyed claiming to know what LOLER was.

Dave Freeman, head of LCVs at ING, said: “The findings have highlighted some really interesting and important points about the day-to-day realities of the regulations.

“We found that 75% of respondents were aware of LOLER and its implications, which is positive.

"However, when we asked how often businesses examined the lifting equipment on their vehicles, there was little uniformity in the responses.

"This is clearly a matter of concern. While 50% of businesses said they checked annually, 16% said quarterly and 33% monthly.”

LOLER regulations require that vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes with electronic and hydraulic equipment are serviced at least every six months and tested annually, but, Freeman said: “We are finding when talking to customers that this is not clear.

"Many believe that when vehicles are taken in for service and MoT, this takes care of LOLER testing but this is not the case.

"Responsibility for the testing of lifting equipment lies with the vehicle operator. What’s more is that we are finding many, particularly smaller dealerships, are not set up to perform tests on lifting equipment.

“Our research has therefore been vital in highlighting that at least 50% of drivers could be putting themselves at risk of prosecution.

"And this figure could be higher as there is a tendency for people to say they are doing the right thing when questioned, so the reality could be a lot bleaker.”

Fleets running vehicles with lifting equipment need to make sure their examination procedures are clearly set out and adhered to without exception, said Freeman.

Both employers and employees should fully understand the implications of LOLER.