LOLER Inspection & Thorough Examination
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
LOLER inspection, formally a thorough examination of lifting equipment under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, is required at 6- or 12-monthly intervals depending on the equipment. We inspect cranes, hoists, MEWPs, fork-lift trucks, vehicle lifts, slings, chains, and all lifting accessories, issue the report of thorough examination, and flag any defects against statutory categories.
What LOLER Inspection & Thorough Examination covers
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998LOLER applies to equipment used at work for lifting or lowering loads, and to the accessories used with it. That covers overhead and mobile cranes, hoists, passenger and goods lifts, MEWPs, forklift trucks and their attachments, and the slings, chains, shackles and eyebolts stored alongside them. Accessories are examined individually and on the shorter 6-month interval, which is the part most often missed when a fleet is booked in. A thorough examination is not a service: it is an independent assessment of whether the equipment remains safe to stay in use, recorded in a report that identifies defects, classifies them by how urgently they must be addressed, and states the next due date.
LOLER at a glance
The facts that decide what you need and when, in one place.
| Governing regulation | Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, regulation 9 |
|---|---|
| Maximum interval | 6 months for equipment that lifts people and for lifting accessories; 12 months for other lifting equipment; or as set by an examination scheme |
| Also required | After installation or reassembly, and after an exceptional event such as an overload or collision |
| Who must arrange it | The employer or duty holder who controls the equipment |
| Who may carry it out | A competent person, independent enough to report defects without pressure |
| What you receive | A report of thorough examination for each item, with defects classified by urgency and the next due date |
| Typical report turnaround | 1 to 2 working days |
What Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 requires of you
Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, employers and duty holders are legally required to ensure equipment is thoroughly examined by a competent person at regular intervals. Failure to comply can result in significant fines, enforcement action, and, most importantly, puts your workforce at serious risk.
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 compliance is not optional
Our LOLER Inspection & Thorough Examination Process
Every LOLER Inspection & Thorough Examination follows the same five steps, from the first conversation about what you have on site to the report landing in your inbox. Knowing the sequence matters because two of the steps need something from you: agreeing the scope at the start, and giving the engineer safe access on the day. The rest is ours to carry.
- 1
Initial Consultation
We talk through what equipment you hold, how it is used and which regulations bite on it. That conversation sets the scope, and it is what makes a quote a real figure rather than a guess.
- 2
Site Survey
An engineer visits to confirm what is actually on site against what was described, and to identify anything needing immediate attention. Sites often hold more equipment than the office records show, and this is where that surfaces.
- 3
Thorough Examination
The examination itself is hands-on rather than a walk round, carried out to the standard the relevant regulation sets. Each item is assessed on its own and recorded individually, including accessories stored away from the machine.
- 4
Report & Recommendations
You receive a written report identifying every defect found, classified by how urgently it must be put right, with the date the next examination falls due. Anything dangerous is raised with you on site the same day rather than held back for the paperwork.
- 5
Ongoing Support
Once the first examination is done we hold the due dates and flag them before they lapse. Most compliance failures are diary failures rather than equipment failures, so that is the part worth automating.
Equipment we inspect
Equipment-specific inspection guides: frequency, scope, and what we look for on each type of lifting gear.
Forklift Thorough Examination
Statutory 6- or 12-monthly thorough examination of forklift trucks under LOLER 1998.
Overhead Crane Inspection
Statutory thorough examination of overhead, gantry, jib, and pendant cranes under LOLER 1998.
Passenger Lift Inspection
Statutory 6-monthly thorough examination of passenger lifts under LOLER 1998.
Goods Lift Inspection
Statutory 12-monthly thorough examination of goods lifts and service lifts under LOLER 1998.
Tail Lift Inspection
Statutory 6-monthly thorough examination of vehicle tail-lifts under LOLER 1998.
Patient Hoist Inspection
Statutory 6-monthly thorough examination of mobile and overhead patient hoists under LOLER 1998.
What a LOLER costs, and what moves the figure
We do not publish a flat rate, because LOLER work is scoped to your equipment and site and any single figure would be wrong for most readers. Here is what we price on, what a complete quote covers, and how to judge one quote against another, so you can budget before you speak to anyone.
What moves the price
- Number of items. Each piece of lifting equipment and each accessory is examined in turn, so ten slings take longer than one
- Type and complexity. A webbing sling is a quick visual and functional check; an overhead travelling crane or a passenger lift involves structure, ropes or chains, brakes, limit switches and controls
- Inspection interval. Equipment that lifts people, and lifting accessories, are examined every 6 months rather than 12, so they come round twice as often
- Site access and conditions. Equipment at height, in a confined space, or needing isolation adds time, as does out-of-hours work to avoid disrupting production
- Location and travel. A site near our Irlam base involves less travel than one at the edge of the region
- Scope and bundling. Examining LOLER, PSSR, PUWER and LEV equipment on one planned visit is more efficient than separate trips
What a complete quote should cover
- The competent person's time on site, examining to the standard the regulations require
- A written report identifying any defects and classifying them by how urgently they must be addressed
- The date the next examination falls due
- Certification you can show an HSE inspector or your insurer
- Travel to your site
If a quote does not spell these out, ask. The report is the part that proves compliance; an examination with no usable report leaves you no better off than before.
How to compare quotes fairly
Ask every firm the same questions, including us. A cheaper quote usually differs on one of these rather than on the work itself.
| Compare on | Safe-Lee |
|---|---|
| Who carries out the examination, and what qualifications and competent-person status they hold | Stated in writing |
| Whether they hold professional indemnity and public liability insurance | Stated in writing |
| Whether they are independent of the equipment's supply, hire and maintenance | Stated in writing |
| Exactly what is included, in writing, with a sample report | Stated in writing |
| How quickly the report is issued after the visit | Stated in writing |
Are Safe-Lee LOLER inspections right for you?
We would rather tell you now than after you have booked. Below is who we are a good fit for, who we are not, what this service does not cover, and what else you could do instead, including options we do not sell. Statutory examination is a legal duty rather than a purchase, so the useful question is not whether you need it but whether we are the right people to do it for you.
We are a good fit if
- You are the duty holder or employer responsible for arranging statutory examination
- Your site is in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire or the surrounding North West
- You want the examination done by someone with no commercial interest in the equipment staying in service
- You have anything from a single forklift or sling to a multi-crane overhead system
We are not the right choice if
- You need the equipment repaired, serviced or maintained. We examine and report, and we do not carry out remedial work
- You need a single provider to cover many sites across the UK on the same day. We are a small independent practice, not a national network
- You need 24/7 emergency callout. Work is scheduled, including out of hours where that avoids disrupting production
What this service does not cover
- Repair, servicing, maintenance or refurbishment of the equipment examined
- Supply, hire or sale of equipment or spare parts
- Any work that would compromise our independence as the examining body
- Load testing or proof testing, which is separate work commissioned when a report calls for it
What else you could do instead
- Your insurer's engineer surveyor scheme
- Many business insurance policies include statutory inspection for lifting and pressure equipment. Check what you already pay for before buying it twice. It is a genuine alternative, and for some businesses the right one.
- A national inspection body
- If you have many sites across the UK, or need round-the-clock cover, a large provider will suit you better than we will.
- An in-house competent person
- If you employ someone with the right knowledge and experience who is genuinely independent of the equipment's operation and maintenance, they can carry out the examination themselves.
What we need from you
Having these ready shortens the visit and keeps the quote accurate.
- A list of the equipment to be examined, with identification or serial numbers where they exist
- Previous reports or certificates, if you have them, so we can see the history and the next due dates
- Safe access to each item, including any isolation, permits or escorts your site requires
- Someone available who can operate the equipment if a functional check is needed
- Any examination scheme drawn up for the equipment, if intervals differ from the statutory default
What Our Clients Say
“Lee is a fantastic engineer and very approachable. He delivers examinations with minimal disturbance to your operations in a timely manner. If you need or are unsure if your equipment requires an examination, contact Lee and he will guide you through the process of becoming and staying compliant.”
Lee Stanaway
Reviewed on Google
“Brilliant company! Can't recommend Lee enough. Great communication throughout and speedy reporting to ensure kit is compliant with LOLER and PUWER.”
Thomas Bullivant
Reviewed on Google
“Great service, very knowledgeable regarding my lifting equipment. If you're needing a LOLER examination carried out, get on to Safe Lee!”
Sean Crawford
Reviewed on Google
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a LOLER inspection involve?
A LOLER thorough examination involves a detailed inspection of lifting equipment to identify any defects, damage, or wear that could affect safe operation. This includes visual examination, functional testing where appropriate, and checking that all safety devices and markings are in place and correct.
How often is a LOLER inspection required?
Under LOLER 1998, lifting equipment used to lift people must be thoroughly examined every 6 months. All other lifting equipment requires examination every 12 months, or in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person. Equipment must also be examined after installation or reassembly.
What equipment does a LOLER inspection cover?
LOLER inspections cover all lifting equipment including overhead cranes, mobile cranes, hoists, lifts (passenger and goods), forklift trucks, chain slings, wire rope slings, shackles, eyebolts, lifting beams, and any other accessories used for lifting loads.
Do I need a LOLER inspection for a forklift truck?
Yes. Forklift trucks are classified as lifting equipment under LOLER 1998 and require a thorough examination at least every 12 months. If the forklift is used to lift people (for example, with a working platform attachment), it must be examined every 6 months.
Where the LOLER rules come from
Everything on this page is our reading of the following documents. They are the authority, not us, so we link them directly and you can check any of it yourself.
- The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998
legislation.gov.uk
The statutory instrument itself. Regulation 9 is the thorough examination duty.
- Safe use of lifting equipment (L113)
Health and Safety Executive
The Approved Code of Practice for LOLER. An ACOP has special legal status: follow it and you are doing enough to comply.
- Thorough examination of lifting equipment (INDG422)(PDF)
Health and Safety Executive
HSE's plain-English guide for employers on what a thorough examination is and when it is due.
Further reading
Plain-English guides to the regulations behind LOLER: what they require, how often, and who can sign it off.
Who Can Carry Out a LOLER Inspection?
A LOLER examination is only valid if a competent person signs it off. What that means in practice, and why independence from the maintenance provider matters.
How to Read a LOLER Report
Your report of thorough examination, section by section, including the one field duty holders most often misread.
What Is a Thorough Examination?
How a thorough examination differs from a service, an inspection or a pre-use check, and why a maintenance visit does not satisfy LOLER.
LOLER vs PUWER vs PSSR Explained
Lifting equipment falls under LOLER, but the same machine usually carries PUWER duties too. Which regulation covers what.
Need LOLER inspections or a quotation?
The short version: if you hold this equipment, examination is a legal duty rather than a choice, the interval is set by the regulation or by your own scheme rather than by us, and the report is the part that proves you complied.
Tell us what you have on site and roughly where it is, and you will get a scoped quote rather than a rate card. If we are not the right people for it, we will say so.
Areas We Cover
Based in Irlam, Manchester, we provide inspection services across Greater Manchester, the North West, and nationwide.
Where we provide LOLER inspections, and what else we examine on the same visit
Safe-Lee works from Irlam in Greater Manchester and covers the North West from that single base, so most sites in the region are within an hour's drive. The county links below open a page for each area we work in regularly.
Most sites need more than one regime. A workshop with a crane, an air receiver and an extraction system falls under LOLER, PSSR and COSHH at the same time, and examining all of it on one planned visit takes less of your time than booking three. The service links below cover the other regimes we examine.