Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
Independent LOLER thorough examinations for lifts, hoists, lifting accessories, MEWPs, vehicle lifts, cranes, tail lifts and lifting equipment used across work premises.
Clear reports, defect photos where needed, practical remedial guidance and impartial inspection support without relying on an insurer-appointed engineer.
Expert guidance
LOLER applies where lifting equipment is used at work. The duty is not only to arrange a periodic examination; the employer or equipment owner must be able to show that lifting equipment is strong enough, stable, marked where required, installed correctly and examined by a competent person at the right interval.
A thorough examination is a formal inspection of safety-critical condition. It is separate from routine servicing. Servicing can keep equipment operating, but it does not normally replace the impartial competent-person examination required under LOLER.
City Inspection Services focuses on reports that can be understood by the responsible person on site, not only filed away. Defects are described by severity, location and practical next action so the business can make fast decisions about continued use, repair or withdrawal.
Direct answers
A LOLER thorough examination is a formal competent-person examination of lifting equipment and lifting accessories used at work. It is separate from servicing and should produce a report that identifies the equipment, condition, defects, urgency and next examination date.
Common intervals are 6 months for lifting equipment used to lift people and for lifting accessories, and 12 months for other lifting equipment unless a suitable written scheme sets a different interval.
Prepare the asset list, equipment IDs, previous reports, repair evidence, hired equipment documents, access arrangements and a site contact who can explain how each item is used.
Compliance planning
A strong inspection record should show the asset, the examination scope, defects, urgency, follow-up actions and the next due date. City Inspection Services keeps this practical for site teams and management.
Evidence
Risk indicators
Method
Prepare the visit
Use this checklist before a LOLER visit to reduce missed assets, unclear IDs and avoidable return visits.
Frequently asked questions
No. Servicing is maintenance. A LOLER thorough examination is a formal competent-person examination of lifting equipment condition and safety-critical parts.
Common intervals are 6 months for equipment lifting people and lifting accessories, and 12 months for other lifting equipment, unless a written scheme sets another suitable interval.
Yes. The duty holder should be able to show that hired equipment has current evidence of thorough examination and remains suitable for the work being done.
Authority map
Equipment
Passenger lifts create a high-expectation compliance duty because building users, residents, staff and visitors rely on them every day.
Equipment
Vehicle lifts in garages and workshops sit at the overlap between lifting equipment condition, operator safety and clear workshop records.
Equipment
Forklift trucks, attachments and handling equipment can create mixed LOLER and PUWER duties depending on how the equipment is used.
Equipment
Lifting accessories are small enough to be missed but safety-critical enough to create serious risk when damaged, unmarked or overdue.
Sector
Manufacturing and engineering sites usually need inspection evidence across machinery, lifting accessories, compressors, hazardous substances and maintenance access.
Sector
Warehousing and logistics sites rely on high-use handling equipment, attachments, loading bay plant and compressed air systems that need clear due-date control.
Case studies
Representative case study showing how LOLER and PUWER evidence can be grouped for a manufacturing site in Fife.
Representative logistics case study for forklift attachments, loading bay equipment and grouped inspection planning.
Representative marine-sector case study for LOLER lifting accessories and PSSR pressure-system planning in Peterhead.
Official guidance
Use official HSE guidance alongside site-specific competent-person inspection advice.
Local coverage
Local LOLER enquiries usually come from facilities managers, workshops, care providers, warehouses, construction suppliers and property owners who need current evidence quickly for insurers, audits or site access.
Book an inspection
Send the equipment list, site postcode and any due dates. City Inspection Services will confirm scope, availability and the most sensible inspection schedule.
Quote intake
Site, assets, due dates.