Checklist
Plant and equipment hire compliance checklist
LOLER, PUWER, inspection records and everything a plant and equipment hire company needs to stay compliant.
By Complys·26 Mar 2026·6 min read
Plant and equipment hire companies have a distinct compliance burden from most contractors — they are responsible not just for their own staff but for the safety of the equipment they put into the hands of others. Regulatory compliance is non-negotiable.
LOLER — Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
LOLER applies to any lifting equipment — cranes, hoists, telehandlers with lifting attachments, MEWPs, and any other equipment designed for lifting loads or people. Key requirements:
- Thorough examination — all lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at set intervals (every 6 months for equipment used to lift people; every 12 months for other lifting equipment)
- Written examination report — must be kept for each piece of equipment
- Safe working load (SWL) marking — all lifting equipment must be marked with its SWL
- Operator competency — operators must be competent to use the equipment safely
PUWER — Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998
PUWER applies to all work equipment — not just lifting gear. Requirements include:
- Equipment is suitable for its intended use
- Maintained in a safe condition with maintenance records kept
- Inspected at appropriate intervals
- Used only by people who have received adequate training and information
- Accompanied by appropriate safety measures (guards, emergency stops, etc.)
Insurance
- Plant and equipment insurance — covering your fleet against damage, theft and breakdown
- Public liability insurance — minimum £5 million
- Employers' liability insurance — minimum £5 million if you employ anyone
- Hired-in plant insurance — if you hire in plant from other companies
- Product liability insurance — covering you if a piece of your equipment causes injury or damage while on hire
Accreditation
- CHAS or SMAS — required by most commercial customers. Complys helps you maintain the documents needed to obtain and renew these.
- CPA membership — Construction Plant-hire Association. The main trade body for plant hire companies in the UK.
- ALLMI membership — Association of Lorry Loader Manufacturers and Importers, for companies with lorry-mounted cranes
Asset records for each piece of equipment
- LOLER thorough examination certificate (within required interval)
- PUWER inspection records
- Service and maintenance records
- Operator manual available with the machine
- Pre-hire inspection checklist
- Hire agreement signed by customer
- Evidence of operator competency (CPCS/NPORS card) where applicable
Compliance checklist summary
- ✓ LOLER thorough examination certificate for all lifting equipment (within interval)
- ✓ PUWER inspection records for all equipment
- ✓ Service and maintenance records for every asset
- ✓ Public liability insurance (min £5m)
- ✓ Product liability insurance
- ✓ Employers' liability insurance (min £5m)
- ✓ CHAS or SMAS accreditation
- ✓ CPA membership
- ✓ Operator competency records (CPCS/NPORS)
- ✓ Pre-hire inspection checklists
- ✓ Signed hire agreements
- ✓ Right to work evidence for all employees
Track your fleet compliance with Complys
QR codes on every asset. LOLER and PUWER records tracked automatically. Expiry alerts before any inspection runs out.