Regulation 9 states:
(1) Every employer shall ensure that before lifting equipment is put into service for the first time by him it is thoroughly examined by a competent person for any defect unless:
(a) the lifting equipment has not been used before; and
(b) in the case of lifting equipment for which an EC declaration of conformity could
or (in the case of a declaration under the Lift Regulations 1997) should have been drawn up, the employer has received such declaration made not more than 12 months before the lifting equipment is put into service.
(2) Every employer shall ensure that, where the safety of lifting equipment depends on the installation conditions, it is thoroughly examined:
(a) after installation and before being put into service for the first time; and
(b) after assembly and before being put into service at a new site or in a new location,
to ensure that it has been installed correctly and is safe to operate.
(3) A thorough examination is required after substantial or significant modification or repair.
