To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will make a statement on the frequency of the checks made on cranes by crane operators. (294633)

[holding answer 20 October 2009]: Cranes are subject to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998; these two sets of legislation between them provide a regime requiring inspection, maintenance and thorough examination of cranes.

A thorough examination of a crane is required before first use, and thereafter at least every 12 months (six months if the crane is used for carrying people) unless alteration, damage or any other conditions make an increased frequency of examination necessary. The examination must be carried out by a competent person who is appropriately qualified and experienced. Where, during a thorough examination, a serious defect is detected, a report has to be sent by the competent person to the enforcing authority within 28 days.

Inspection and maintenance checks must also be carried out, between thorough examinations. The frequency and extent of the checks are not specified by the regulations; these will depend on the potential risks from the equipment, the crane manufacturer's recommendations and the conditions encountered on site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate she has made of the frequency with which crane operators undertake checks on the cranes under their control; whether self-erected cranes are to be included in the register; and if she will make a statement. (294634)

[holding answer 20 October 2009]: All cranes used at work are subject to the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998; these two sets of legislation between them provide a regime requiring inspection, maintenance and thorough examination of cranes. Health and Safety Executive inspectors consider routinely compliance with this regime when undertaking both planned inspection and incident investigation.

A consultation document setting out proposals for a statutorily-based registration scheme for tower cranes was published on 13 July this year. The consultation closed on 16 October 2009 and the responses are being analysed. The HSE Board will consider the results of the consultation at its meeting on 25 November 2009, including whether self-erected tower cranes should be included in its scope.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what qualifications persons carrying out pre-use checks on cranes are required to hold; and if she will make a statement. (294635)

[holding answer 20 October 2009]: Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998, a thorough examination of a crane is required before first use, and thereafter at least every 12 months (six months if the crane is used for carrying people) unless alteration, damage or any other conditions make an increased frequency of examination necessary. The examination must be carried out by a competent person who is appropriately qualified and experienced.

The Approved Code of Practice under LOLER requires that the person carrying out the thorough examination has appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the lifting equipment to be thoroughly examined, but does not specify particular qualifications to be held by the competent person.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Health and Safety Executive plans to introduce its statutory register for tower cranes; and if she will make a statement. (294636)

[holding answer 20 October 2009]: The HSE is committed to having a statutorily-based scheme for tower crane registration in place by the date of common commencement in April 2010.

A consultation document setting out proposals for a statutorily-based registration scheme was published on 13 July this year. The consultation closed on 16 October and the responses are being analysed. The HSE Board will consider the results of the consultation at its meeting on 25 November.