In addition to periodical LOLER examinations, all vacuum lifting devices must have a valid proof load test certificate. A test certificate is a document that identifies a piece of lifting equipment or lifting attachment, together with the Safe Working Load capacity, the applied proof load and date the test was carried out.

Static proof load values are dependent on the age of the vacuum lifter as follows:

Date of manufacture before the introduction of  the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992, as amended. and prior to European standard EN 13155:2003

Safe Working Load (S.W.L.)	Proof Load
Up to and including 3 tonnes	SWL plus 100 per cent
Over 3 tonnes, up to and including 6 tonnes	SWL plus 3 tonnes
Over 20 tonnes, up to and including 40 tonnes	SWL plus 50 per cent
Over 20 tonnes, up to and including 40 tonnes	SWL plus 10 tonnes
Over 40 tonnes	SWL plus 25 per cent

Date of manufacture after the introduction of European standard EN 13155:2003.

Safe Working Load (S.W.L)                                                 Proof Load
 
All capacities                                                                        SWL plus 100 per cent

Note:  Vacuum Lifting Tube devices are incapable of lifting excessive loads and therfore cannot be proof load tested as defined above however we recommend that where possible a proof load test of SWL plus 25 per cent should be applied to this type of vacuum lifter.