If you manage workplace equipment in the UK, you will encounter two sets of regulations repeatedly: LOLER and PUWER. Both relate to equipment safety, both require inspections, and both are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It is no surprise that many businesses confuse them — or assume compliance with one means compliance with both. It does not.
This guide explains the difference between LOLER and PUWER, where they overlap, and what you need to do to comply with each.
PUWER: The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
PUWER applies to all work equipment used in the workplace. The scope is deliberately broad. If it is equipment and it is used at work, PUWER almost certainly applies.
What counts as work equipment under PUWER?
The regulations define work equipment as "any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool, or installation for use at work." This includes:
- Machinery and production equipment — lathes, presses, CNC machines, conveyors
- Hand tools — drills, grinders, saws (including hand-held power tools)
- Vehicles used at work — fork-lift trucks, dumpers, site vehicles
- Lifting equipment — cranes, hoists, lifts
- Office equipment — photocopiers, paper shredders (yes, really)
- Ladders and access equipment
- Pressure systems and laboratory apparatus
What does PUWER require?
PUWER sets out general duties for anyone who provides or controls work equipment. The main requirements are:
- Suitability — Equipment must be suitable for its intended use and the conditions in which it will be used
- Maintenance — Equipment must be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair
- Inspection — Where safety depends on installation conditions or where deterioration could lead to danger, equipment must be inspected at suitable intervals and after exceptional circumstances
- Information and training — Anyone using, supervising, or managing work equipment must have adequate health and safety information, instruction, and training
- Specific hazards — PUWER includes detailed requirements for dangerous parts of machinery, controls, stability, lighting, warnings, and markings
PUWER inspection intervals
PUWER does not set fixed inspection intervals for most equipment. Instead, it requires inspection "at suitable intervals" — the frequency is determined by the level of risk, the type of equipment, and the conditions of use. For some equipment, daily pre-use checks may be sufficient. For others, annual or more frequent formal inspections may be needed.
LOLER: The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
LOLER is a specialist regulation that applies specifically to lifting equipment and lifting operations. It sits alongside PUWER — it does not replace it.
What counts as lifting equipment under LOLER?
LOLER covers equipment used for lifting or lowering loads, including persons. This includes:
- Overhead cranes, gantry cranes, and jib cranes
- Mobile cranes (tower, crawler, vehicle-mounted)
- Fork-lift trucks and pallet trucks
- Passenger lifts and goods lifts
- Vehicle inspection hoists
- Scaffold hoists and builders' hoists
- Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs)
- Lifting accessories — slings, chains, shackles, eyebolts, spreader beams
What does LOLER require?
LOLER adds specific requirements on top of PUWER:
- Strength and stability — Lifting equipment must be of adequate strength and stability for each load
- Positioning and installation — Equipment must be positioned and installed to minimise risks
- Marking — Lifting equipment must be clearly marked with its safe working load (SWL). Lifting accessories must also be marked
- Planning — Every lifting operation must be properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out in a safe manner
- Thorough examination — Lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at statutory intervals
LOLER inspection intervals (fixed by regulation)
Unlike PUWER, LOLER prescribes specific maximum intervals:
| Equipment Type | Maximum Interval |
|---|---|
| Lifting accessories (slings, chains, shackles) | 6 months |
| Equipment used for lifting persons | 6 months |
| All other lifting equipment | 12 months |
A written examination scheme prepared by a competent person can specify shorter intervals but cannot extend beyond the statutory maximums.
LOLER vs PUWER: Side-by-Side Comparison
| PUWER | LOLER | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | All work equipment | Lifting equipment only |
| Year enacted | 1998 | 1998 |
| Applies to | All workplaces in Great Britain | All workplaces in Great Britain |
| Inspection intervals | Risk-based ("suitable intervals") | Fixed statutory maximums (6 or 12 months) |
| Inspection type | Inspection by a competent person | Thorough examination by a competent person |
| Written report | Record of inspection required | Formal written report required, with defect notification to HSE where applicable |
| Planning requirement | General suitability assessment | Specific requirement for every lifting operation to be planned |
| Marking | Warnings and markings as appropriate | Safe Working Load must be clearly marked |
| Enforced by | HSE | HSE |
Where Do They Overlap?
Lifting equipment must comply with both LOLER and PUWER simultaneously. Compliance with one does not discharge your duties under the other.
For example, a fork-lift truck must:
- Be suitable for the task and conditions (PUWER)
- Be maintained in good repair (PUWER)
- Be used by trained and competent operators (PUWER)
- Be thoroughly examined every 12 months (LOLER)
- Have its safe working load clearly marked (LOLER)
- Be used in accordance with a planned lifting operation (LOLER)
In practice, most businesses manage both sets of obligations through the same inspection provider. A thorough examination under LOLER will typically satisfy the inspection requirement under PUWER for the same equipment — but you should confirm this with your inspection body.
Common Mistakes
Assuming LOLER covers all equipment
LOLER only covers lifting equipment. A lathe, a press, or a compressor is work equipment under PUWER but is not lifting equipment under LOLER (unless it has an integral lifting function). These items still need risk-based inspection under PUWER.
Assuming PUWER compliance covers LOLER
A general PUWER inspection does not meet the LOLER thorough examination requirement. LOLER requires a specific examination by a competent person at the statutory intervals, with a formal written report. A PUWER-style inspection record is not sufficient.
Confusing maintenance with inspection
Both LOLER and PUWER require inspection in addition to routine maintenance. Servicing your crane or fork-lift does not discharge the duty to have it thoroughly examined. They are separate obligations.
Forgetting lifting accessories
Slings, chains, shackles, and other lifting accessories are easy to overlook but are explicitly covered by LOLER. They require thorough examination every 6 months — more frequently than most lifting equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my workshop press need a LOLER inspection?
Only if it has a lifting function. A hydraulic press that compresses material is work equipment under PUWER but is not lifting equipment under LOLER. However, if the press has an integral hoist or lifting mechanism, that lifting component is covered by LOLER.
Is a ladder covered by LOLER?
No. Ladders are work equipment under PUWER but are not lifting equipment under LOLER. However, a ladder hoist (a powered hoist that runs up a ladder-like track) would be covered by LOLER.
Do I need two separate inspections — one for PUWER and one for LOLER?
Not necessarily. For lifting equipment, a thorough examination under LOLER will typically cover the PUWER inspection requirement as well. Your inspection body can confirm whether their examination scope satisfies both sets of regulations.
Who decides whether LOLER or PUWER applies to my equipment?
You do — as the duty holder. If you are unsure, consult a competent person or your inspection body. They can advise which regulations apply to each item in your equipment register.
Compare Inspection Providers for LOLER and PUWER
Whether you need LOLER thorough examinations, PUWER inspections, or both, comparing providers ensures you get the right service at a fair price.
Compare Engineering is the UK's comparison marketplace for statutory engineering inspections. Compare quotes from qualified providers across LOLER, PUWER, and other regimes at compareengineering.com.
This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a competent person or legal adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.