Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

LOLER Inspections

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What LOLER Covers

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) apply to all employers and self-employed persons who provide or control lifting equipment used at work. LOLER requires that all lifting equipment is strong and stable enough for its intended use, positioned and installed to minimise risks, and subject to periodic thorough examination by a competent person.

A thorough examination is far more than a visual check. It is a systematic and detailed examination of the equipment and its associated gear by a competent person, who must determine whether the equipment is safe to continue in use. The competent person is typically an engineer employed by an independent inspection body, often accredited by UKAS to ISO 17020.

Who Needs LOLER Inspections?

If your business owns, leases or uses any lifting equipment, LOLER almost certainly applies to you. Industries that commonly require LOLER thorough examinations include:

Manufacturing and engineering

Construction and civil engineering

Warehousing and logistics

Retail (goods lifts, loading bays)

Property management (passenger lifts)

Healthcare (patient hoists, bed lifts)

Automotive workshops

Agriculture and farming

Inspection Intervals

LOLER sets out maximum intervals for thorough examination. Your insurer or inspection body may recommend shorter intervals based on the age, condition or usage of the equipment.

Overhead cranesEvery 12 months (or 6 months if carrying persons)

Forklifts (counterbalance and reach trucks)Every 12 months

Passenger liftsEvery 6 months

Goods lifts and service liftsEvery 12 months (6 months if carrying persons)

Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs)Every 6 months

Chain hoists and lever hoistsEvery 12 months

Lifting accessories (slings, shackles, eyebolts)Every 6 months

Vehicle tail liftsEvery 12 months (6 months if carrying persons)

Mobile cranesEvery 12 months

Gantry cranes and jib cranesEvery 12 months

Legal Requirement

Thorough examinations under LOLER are a legal duty, not optional maintenance. The HSE actively enforces these regulations. Failure to comply can result in prohibition notices, improvement notices and criminal prosecution with unlimited fines. Equipment involved in an accident that has not been properly examined creates significant personal and corporate liability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a LOLER thorough examination?+

A thorough examination under LOLER is a detailed inspection carried out by a competent person to detect any defects that could result in danger. It is more rigorous than a routine maintenance check and is a legal requirement for all lifting equipment used at work.

How often do LOLER inspections need to be carried out?+

The standard interval is every 12 months for most lifting equipment. Equipment used for lifting persons (such as passenger lifts and MEWPs) must be examined every 6 months. Lifting accessories such as slings and shackles also require examination every 6 months.

Who can carry out a LOLER thorough examination?+

The examination must be performed by a competent person, typically an engineer employed by an independent inspection body. Many providers are UKAS-accredited to ISO 17020, which is the recognised standard for inspection bodies in the UK.

What happens if I do not have my lifting equipment inspected?+

Failure to comply with LOLER is a criminal offence. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can issue improvement or prohibition notices, and prosecutions can result in unlimited fines. In the event of an accident involving uninspected equipment, the consequences for employers are severe.

What is the difference between a thorough examination and a service?+

A service is routine maintenance carried out to keep equipment in good working order. A thorough examination is a legally required, detailed safety inspection that must be carried out by a competent person and results in a formal report of thorough examination.

Do I receive a report after the examination?+

Yes. The competent person must provide a written report of thorough examination. If any defects are found that present an immediate danger, the examiner must also notify the relevant enforcing authority (usually the HSE).

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