LOLER thorough examination explained
The bit of LOLER everyone asks about: how often lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined, by whom, and what you have to keep. Applies in Great Britain (the Northern Ireland 1999 Regulations set the equivalent duty).
The frequencies
Lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined by a competent person:
- •At least every 6 months — lifting equipment used to lift people, and all lifting accessories (slings, chains, eyebolts, shackles).
- •At least every 12 months — other lifting equipment (that does not lift people).
- •Or in line with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person, which can set different intervals based on use and risk.
- •After exceptional circumstances — damage, failure, long periods out of use, or major modifications — and, for some equipment, after installation or before first use.
The competent person
A thorough examination must be done by a competent person: someone with the right knowledge and experience of the equipment, and sufficiently independent and impartial to give an objective view. This is usually an engineer surveyor (often via an inspection body or insurer) rather than the person who maintains the kit day to day.
The report of thorough examination
After each examination the competent person produces a report of thorough examination, which the dutyholder must keep. If the examination identifies a defect that is or could become a danger to people, the competent person must notify the dutyholder (and, for serious defects, the relevant enforcing authority). Defects then need acting on before the equipment is used again where required.
Examination vs maintenance vs PUWER inspection
Keep three things separate: routine maintenance keeps equipment working; the LOLER thorough examination is an independent statutory safety examination with a formal report; and PUWER inspection is the risk-based check for work equipment generally. Lifting equipment typically needs all three tracked.
Track every examination due date
Complys holds your lifting-equipment and accessory register, tracks 6- and 12-monthly (or scheme-based) due dates, and keeps the reports of thorough examination.
LOLER compliance software →FAQs
What are the LOLER examination frequencies?
At least every 6 months for lifting equipment used to lift people, and for lifting accessories; at least every 12 months for other lifting equipment; or in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person. A thorough examination is also required after exceptional circumstances (such as damage, a long period out of use, or major changes) and, for some equipment, after installation or before first use.
Who can carry out a thorough examination?
A competent person — someone with the appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the equipment, and enough independence to make an objective judgement. In practice it is usually an engineer surveyor, often provided through an inspection body or insurer, not the person who maintains the equipment day to day.
Is a thorough examination the same as a service or maintenance?
No. Maintenance keeps equipment working; a thorough examination is an independent safety examination against LOLER by a competent person, resulting in a formal report. Equipment usually needs both. Thorough examination is also distinct from the risk-based inspection required under PUWER.
Related: what is LOLER, PUWER vs LOLER, and PUWER inspection requirements. General information, not legal advice.