LOLER Inspection
A statutory inspection under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 - required for all lifting equipment used at work in the UK.
Quick Reference
What are LOLER Inspection?
LOLER stands for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. Under these regulations, all employers who own, operate, or control lifting equipment must ensure the equipment is: of adequate strength and stability, positioned and installed correctly, visibly marked with safe working loads, and subject to thorough examination at specified intervals.
LOLER applies to a vast range of equipment found on construction sites: cranes, hoists, lifts, telehandlers, fork-lift trucks, vehicle tail lifts, and even simple items like slings, shackles, and chains used for lifting. The "thorough examination" required by LOLER must be carried out by a "competent person" - typically a qualified engineer from an independent inspection body.
After a thorough examination, the inspection body issues a written report. Equipment with defects that are a danger to persons must be taken out of service. Equipment with non-urgent defects must have them rectified within a specified timeframe. A LOLER certificate confirms the inspection has been done and the equipment is safe to use.
What Happens If It's Missed?
Operating lifting equipment without a current LOLER examination report is a criminal offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. The HSE can issue improvement notices, prohibition notices (stopping work immediately), and prosecute. In the event of a lifting-related accident or near miss, the absence of a valid LOLER certificate dramatically increases legal liability for the employer. Insurance cover may also be voided if equipment is operated without the required inspections.
How Construction Teams Track This
Construction companies with multiple pieces of plant and equipment - each with different LOLER examination dates - need a systematic way to track when each certificate expires. A telehandler, three forklifts, a goods hoist, and various slings and shackles will each have their own inspection dates, often staggered across the year. Many companies receive paper certificates and manually log dates - a process that fails when volume increases or records are misfiled. Compliance software tracks each asset individually, provides advance notification of expiring certificates, and maintains the audit trail needed for HSE inspections.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How often does lifting equipment need a LOLER inspection?
Every 6 months for equipment used to lift people (such as a personnel-carrying platform or passenger lift), and every 12 months for other lifting equipment. However, if the competent person decides a more frequent examination is needed - e.g., for equipment in harsh conditions - they can specify a shorter interval. A thorough examination is also required: before first use if no declaration of conformity exists, after exceptional circumstances (e.g., significant incident or major modification), and before an initial inspection on new equipment used in certain contexts.
What is the difference between LOLER and PUWER?
LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) specifically covers lifting equipment. PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) covers all work equipment more broadly, including inspection and maintenance requirements. Lifting equipment must comply with both regulations. PUWER requires all work equipment to be maintained in efficient working order, which overlaps with but is separate from the LOLER thorough examination.
Who can carry out a LOLER inspection?
The inspection must be carried out by a "competent person" as defined by LOLER. This typically means a qualified engineer from an independent inspection body (such as an insurer's engineering inspectors, or a specialist inspection company). The key is independence and competency - in most cases this is not someone employed directly by the equipment owner.
Do slings and chains need LOLER inspections?
Yes. Loose gear such as slings, chains, shackles, eyebolts, and swivel hooks are all considered lifting accessories under LOLER and require thorough examination at least every 12 months. This is often overlooked because small accessories are easy to lose in the paperwork.
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