What is a LOLER Inspection? A Practical Guide to LOLER Regulations
If your business uses lifting equipment, you will probably have heard the term LOLER inspection. But what does a LOLER inspection actually involve, which equipment needs to be inspected, and how often does it need to be done?
When people search for a “LOLER inspection”, they’re usually referring to a LOLER Thorough Examination. LOLER can seem complicated at first, particularly when you are responsible for a large amount of lifting equipment across different sites. In simple terms, the regulations are there to make sure lifting equipment is safe to use and that any deterioration or defects are identified before they become a serious problem.
In this guide, we look at what a LOLER inspection is, why it is required, what is involved and what businesses need to do to keep their lifting equipment compliant.
What Does LOLER Stand For?
LOLER stands for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
The regulations apply to businesses and organisations that use lifting equipment at work. They cover much more than simply checking whether a crane or hoist is working. LOLER also covers how lifting operations are planned and carried out, whether equipment is suitable for the job and whether it is maintained and examined properly.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that lifting equipment must be suitable for the intended use, appropriately marked and maintained so that it remains safe to operate. In many cases, it must also be subject to a periodic thorough examination by a competent person.
Read the full HSE Article here.
What is a LOLER Inspection?
When people talk about a “LOLER inspection”, they are usually referring to a LOLER Thorough Examination.
A Thorough Examination is a detailed examination of lifting equipment carried out by a competent person. The purpose is to identify defects, damage or deterioration that could affect the safe operation of the lifting equipment.
It is worth making the distinction between a LOLER Thorough Examination and routine maintenance, as they are not the same thing. Servicing and maintenance are important for keeping equipment in good working order, but they do not replace a statutory Thorough Examination.
During an examination, the competent person will look at the condition of the equipment and its safety-critical components. Depending on the type of equipment, this could include checking things such as hooks, chains, wire ropes, brakes, structures, lifting accessories, fixings and safety devices.
Once the examination is complete, the findings are recorded in a report. If a defect is identified that presents a risk to people, the equipment may need to be taken out of service until the problem has been dealt with.
What is a Competent Person for Lifting Equipment?
Throughout this article, you’ll see us mention the term ‘competent person’ quite a few times. But who exactly is a competent person, and why are they key individuals when it comes to lifting equipment?
In simple terms, a competent person is someone with the knowledge, training and practical experience needed to carry out a particular inspection or examination safely and properly. They need to understand the equipment they are examining, know what to look for and be able to recognise defects or signs of deterioration that could affect its safe operation.
When carrying out a LOLER Thorough Examination, the competent person makes an assessment of the equipment’s condition and identifies any defects or potential safety issues. Depending on what they find, they may recommend remedial work or determine that equipment needs to be taken out of service until the issue has been addressed.
A competent person does not necessarily have to be an employee of your business. Many companies choose to use an independent lifting equipment specialist, such as Lifting Gear Products, particularly where they do not have the specialist knowledge or experience needed to examine their lifting equipment internally.
It isn’t simply a case of a competent person being asked to “check the equipment”. The person carrying out the examination needs to have the appropriate level of knowledge and experience for the equipment and the examination being undertaken. More complex lifting equipment may require a higher level of specialist knowledge.
Their findings are recorded in the Thorough Examination report, providing the person responsible for the equipment with a clear record of any defects and the action that may be required.
For businesses, choosing a suitably competent person is an important part of managing lifting equipment safely and meeting their responsibilities under LOLER.
Why Are LOLER Inspections Required?
The main reason for LOLER is fairly straightforward, lifting equipment needs to be safe before someone puts a load on it.
Lifting equipment can deteriorate over time, particularly when it is used regularly, exposed to harsh working conditions or subjected to heavy loads. Some problems may not be obvious during normal use, which is why a more detailed examination by a competent person is required.
LOLER places legal duties on those responsible for lifting equipment. This includes making sure equipment is suitable for the work being carried out, properly marked, maintained and examined where required. Businesses also need to keep appropriate records of Thorough Examinations.
It is therefore not simply a case of having a certificate on file. The inspection process forms part of a wider system for managing the safety of lifting equipment.
What Equipment Requires a LOLER Inspection?
LOLER covers a wide range of equipment used for lifting and lowering loads. This includes equipment such as overhead cranes, jib cranes, gantry cranes, electric and wire rope hoists, manual chain blocks and lever hoists, as well as lifting beams, spreader beams, lifting frames, vacuum lifters and lifting magnets. It can also apply to lifting attachments used with other equipment and to lifting accessories such as shackles, eyebolts, lifting points, webbing slings, round slings, chain slings and wire rope slings.
Businesses and individuals must recognise that LOLER is not just about large cranes. Smaller items of lifting equipment and accessories can also fall within the regulations, and they need to be managed appropriately.
If you are unsure whether a particular item of equipment falls under LOLER, it is worth speaking to a competent, lifting equipment specialist, Lifting Gear Products, rather than making assumptions.
How Often is a LOLER Inspection Required?
There is no single inspection interval that applies to every piece of lifting equipment.
As a general guide, lifting accessories and equipment used for lifting people are normally examined at least every 6 months, while other lifting equipment is commonly examined at least every 12 months. However, the required interval can be different where a written examination scheme has been prepared by a competent person. Equipment that is exposed to conditions likely to cause excessive wear may also need to be examined more frequently.
For example, a crane working in a relatively clean indoor environment may not face the same conditions as lifting equipment used outdoors, in a corrosive environment or in a particularly demanding production process.
This is why it is important not to simply assume that every item needs inspecting once a year. The correct inspection interval should take account of the equipment, how it is used and the conditions in which it operates.
What Happens During a LOLER Thorough Examination?
A LOLER Thorough Examination is not simply a quick visual check.
The competent person will examine the equipment in enough detail to determine whether it remains safe to use. The exact inspection will depend on the type of equipment and its application, but it can include checking for wear, damage, corrosion, distortion, cracks, loose components and other signs of deterioration.
The inspector will also consider relevant safety-critical components and, where appropriate, the condition of lifting accessories and attachment points.
The equipment’s identification and Safe Working Load markings may also be checked, along with previous examination information where relevant.
You can checkout how we mark lifting equipment in our ‘How We Certify Confidence in the Lifting and Manual Handling Equipment We Sell’ acticle.
At the end of the examination, the findings are recorded in a Thorough Examination report. Where defects are found, the report should make clear what has been identified and what action is required.
What defects do LOLER inspections commonly identify?
In our experience, defects aren’t always dramatic failures. More commonly, an examination may identify things such as worn hooks, damaged or incorrectly assembled slings, corrosion, damaged safety catches, worn wire rope, missing identification or issues with lifting accessories that have been exposed to harsh working environments.
If a defect presents an existing or imminent risk of serious personal injury, LOLER also contains requirements relating to reporting the defect to the relevant enforcing authority.
What is a LOLER In-Use Inspection?
A LOLER In-Use Inspection is different from a statutory Thorough Examination.
In-use inspections are carried out between Thorough Examinations as part of an ongoing approach to checking the condition of lifting equipment. They can be particularly useful for businesses that use lifting equipment regularly and want to identify signs of wear or deterioration before they develop into more significant problems.
For example, an in-use inspection might identify a damaged sling, worn component or other obvious defect that needs attention.
This type of inspection can form part of a wider maintenance and compliance programme, but they do not replace a LOLER Thorough Examination where one is required.
These inspections are also different from the basic pre-use checks carried out by operators. Operator checks, in-use inspections and statutory Thorough Examinations all have different purposes.
Who is Responsible for LOLER Compliance?
Ultimately, responsibility for complying with LOLER sits with the employer or person responsible for the lifting equipment.
That does not mean they have to carry out the examination themselves. A Thorough Examination must be carried out by someone who is suitably competent to do so.
This becomes particularly important when you have hundreds of lifting accessories spread across several sites. A spreadsheet that worked perfectly well for 20 items can become surprisingly difficult to manage when you’re dealing with several hundred. This is where an up-to-date asset register and a planned inspection schedule can make a big difference.
It also helps to keep examination reports and records together so that there is a clear history for each item of lifting equipment.
What Happens if a LOLER Inspection Finds a Defect?
Not every defect means that a piece of equipment has to be permanently removed from service.
The action required will depend on the nature and severity of the defect. In some cases, repairs or maintenance may be required before the equipment can be safely returned to use. In more serious cases, equipment may need to be taken out of service immediately.
Defective lifting equipment should not be ignored or continued to be used simply because it has been used without problems in the past.
A Thorough Examination is designed to identify deterioration and safety issues so that they can be dealt with before they result in an accident or equipment failure.
LOLER and PUWER – What’s the Difference?
LOLER and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) are often mentioned together, and there is a good reason for that.
LOLER specifically deals with lifting equipment and lifting operations, while PUWER covers work equipment more generally.
A crane, hoist or other piece of lifting equipment may therefore be subject to requirements under both sets of regulations. LOLER focuses particularly on lifting safety, including the planning of lifting operations and Thorough Examination, while PUWER covers wider issues such as suitability, maintenance, training and safe use.
The HSE describes LOLER as building on the requirements of PUWER, so businesses using lifting equipment should consider how the two sets of regulations work together rather than treating them as completely separate systems.
Why Should Businesses Keep on Top of LOLER Inspections?
There is obviously a legal reason for carrying out the required Thorough Examinations, but there are practical benefits too.
Regular inspections can help identify problems before they lead to equipment failure, unexpected downtime or a more expensive repair. They can also give businesses a clearer picture of the condition of their lifting equipment and help with maintenance planning.
For companies that rely on cranes, hoists and lifting accessories every day, keeping equipment available and safe is important to the whole operation. A planned inspection programme can help reduce the likelihood of unexpected problems while providing a clear record that lifting equipment is being properly managed.
Most significantly, it helps provide confidence that the equipment being used by employees and contractors is fit for the work it is being asked to do.
LOLER Inspection Checklist: What Should You Check?
Keeping on top of LOLER doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require a structured approach to managing your lifting equipment. Whether you have a single hoist or hundreds of lifting assets across multiple sites, having a clear record of your equipment and its examination history can make managing LOLER much easier.
As a starting point, businesses should consider the following:
- Identify your lifting equipment – Keep an up-to-date record of the cranes, hoists, lifting accessories and other equipment covered by LOLER.
- Check equipment identification – Make sure equipment can be clearly identified and linked to the correct inspection or Thorough Examination report.
- Check Safe Working Load (SWL) markings – Lifting equipment should be appropriately marked with its Safe Working Load or other relevant information where required.
- Know when examinations are due – Keep track of the next Thorough Examination date for each item and make sure examinations are arranged within the required interval.
- Consider how equipment is being used – Inspection intervals should take into account the type of equipment, how frequently it is used and the environment in which it operates.
- Carry out regular pre-use checks – Operators should check equipment before use and report any obvious damage, wear or other issues.
- Arrange LOLER In-Use Inspections where appropriate – Regular in-use inspections can help identify deterioration or defects between statutory Thorough Examinations.
- Keep examination reports – Retain Thorough Examination reports and other relevant records so there is a clear history for each item of lifting equipment.
- Act on defects – If an inspection or examination identifies a defect, make sure the appropriate action is taken before the equipment is returned to service.
- Use a competent person – Make sure Thorough Examinations are carried out by someone with the appropriate knowledge, training and practical experience for the equipment being examined.
A checklist like this is a useful starting point, but it should form part of a wider system for managing lifting equipment. The exact requirements will depend on the equipment you use, how it is operated and the conditions in which it works.
If you’re unsure whether your current inspection arrangements are suitable, a competent lifting equipment specialist can help you review your requirements and put an appropriate inspection programme in place.
Need to keep track of your lifting equipment?
Download our free Lifting Equipment Asset Register to record your equipment, examination dates, inspection history and upcoming requirements.
Professional LOLER Inspection Services Across the UK
At Lifting Gear Products, we provide professional LOLER Thorough Examination and LOLER In-Use Inspection services for businesses across the UK.
Working alongside our service partner, Dale Lifting & Handling, our competent inspectors provide inspection support from our Sheffield and Manchester locations, with nationwide coverage available where required.
Whether you have a small number of lifting accessories or a larger fleet of cranes, hoists and lifting equipment across multiple sites, we can help you manage your inspection requirements.
We can also provide advice on inspection intervals, asset registers and compliance planning for businesses with larger or multi-site lifting operations.
If you’re not sure when your lifting equipment is due for its next LOLER examination, or you would like to discuss arranging an inspection, get in touch with our team.
