Lifting Attachment Inspection
Need your Lifting Attachments inspected in line with LOLER98 regulations? Get a quote today to ensure you remain compliant.
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Lifting Attachment Inspection
Need your Lifting Attachments inspected in line with LOLER98 regulations? Get a quote today to ensure you remain compliant.
Lifting Attachment & Lifting Beam Thorough Examinations
Lifting Attachments Within Industry
Lifting attachments are additional devices fitted to cranes and forklift trucks to extend their lifting and handling capabilities. These attachments are designed to safely grip, support, or suspend loads that cannot be lifted efficiently using standard hooks or forks alone. Common lifting attachments include slings, chains, lifting beams, spreader beams, grabs, clamps, magnetic lifters, and fork-mounted lifting jibs. Using the correct attachment helps improve safety, load stability, and efficiency during lifting operations.
Crane lifting attachments are widely used when handling heavy, oversized, or irregularly shaped loads. Lifting beams and spreader beams help distribute weight evenly and prevent damage to long or flexible loads such as steel sections, pipes, and precast concrete units. Slings and chains are used in construction, engineering, and manufacturing for general lifting, while specialist attachments such as grabs and magnets are common in scrap handling, ports, and recycling facilities. These attachments allow cranes to perform precise and controlled lifts in demanding environments.
Forklift lifting attachments increase the versatility of forklift trucks beyond pallet handling. Common examples include drum clamps, carpet poles, bale clamps, and fork-mounted hooks or jibs. These attachments enable forklifts to safely lift drums, rolls, bulk materials, and suspended loads. They are widely used in warehouses, manufacturing plants, ports, agriculture, construction, and waste management, where materials vary in shape and handling requirements.
Across many industries, including construction, logistics, manufacturing, ports, energy, and recycling, lifting attachments play a vital role in safe material handling. By matching the correct attachment to the load and task, businesses can improve productivity, reduce manual handling risks, and ensure lifting operations are carried out in line with safety standards and regulations.
What’s covered during your SEIS Thorough Examination.
These components are considered lifting accessories, and under the LOLER regulations, they must be thoroughly examined at least every 6 months, or sooner if they’re used in harsh environments or show signs of wear.
Scope of the Examination
The thorough examination is carried out by a competent person and focuses on the condition, integrity, and suitability of each item. It does not involve stripping equipment down unless necessary but is far more in-depth than a routine visual check.
Each type of lifting accessory is inspected individually and assessed against manufacturer guidelines, British standards, and LOLER requirements.
Below is an in depth description of how your equipment is examined;
General Identification and Documentation
Verify manufacturer’s plate or markings are legible, showing:
- Safe Working Load (SWL) / Working Load Limit (WLL)
- Serial number or unique ID
- Manufacturer’s name
- CE / UKCA marking
- Check the attachment is suitable for the specific lifting equipment and load type.
- Ensure instructions and data sheets are accessible for operators and inspectors.
General Condition
- Inspect overall cleanliness and condition – remove oil, grease, or debris that could conceal damage.
- Ensure the attachment is stored properly when not in use (off the ground, dry, protected from corrosion).
- Verify no unauthorized modifications or welding repairs have been made.
Structural Integrity
Check the main body or frame for:
- Cracks, distortion, or deformation.
- Dents, gouges, or corrosion.
- Loose or missing bolts, welds, or fasteners.
- Examine load-bearing welds for signs of fatigue, cracking, or porosity.
- Inspect contact or wear surfaces for signs of excessive abrasion, grooving, or thinning.
- Confirm alignment of structural members (e.g., lifting eyes, lugs, or beams).
Lifting Points and Connection Interfaces
Inspect hooks, eyes, and shackles for:
- Cracks, stretching, or wear beyond 10% of original size.
- Distortion of throat openings or bent pins.
- Smooth operation of spring catches or safety latches.
- Proper seating of pins, bolts, or cotter keys.
- Verify lifting eyes and lugs are secure, undamaged, and free of weld cracks.
- Check threaded connections for damage, galling, or corrosion.
- Ensure spreader beam attachment points are undamaged and properly aligned.
Load Spreader Beams / Frames (if applicable)
- Check beam structure for straightness and absence of distortion.
- Inspect end fittings, shackles, and pins for wear or elongation.
- Verify spreader labels show SWL for different configurations or sling angles.
- Check lifting points (central and side) are clearly identified and undamaged.
- Ensure lug plates and welds are intact with no cracks or missing reinforcement.
Clamps, Grabs, and Lifting Magnets
- Inspect jaw faces, pads, or gripping surfaces for wear, cracks, or damage.
- Verify springs, pins, and locking mechanisms operate freely.
- Test manual, screw, or cam clamps for smooth tightening and release.
For magnetic or vacuum lifters:
- Check control switch operation and locking.
- Verify indicator lights or gauges function correctly.
- Inspect vacuum seals or magnet surfaces for cleanliness and wear.
Chains, Slings, and Ropes (if part of attachment system)
- Check chain links for wear, elongation, stretch, nicks, or corrosion.
- Inspect wire ropes for broken wires, kinks, bird-caging, or crushed sections.
- Check synthetic slings for cuts, burns, chemical damage, or fraying.
- Verify end fittings (hooks, eyes, rings) are undamaged and correctly attached.
- Confirm identification tags on slings and chains are legible and show SWL/WLL.
Mechanical and Moving Parts
- Inspect hinges, pivots, and rotating joints for play, wear, or seizure.
- Check locking pins, cotter keys, and fasteners for secure fit.
- Verify rollers, sheaves, or pulleys rotate freely without flat spots or cracks.
Safety and Control Features
- Confirm safety catches, interlocks, or load-retention devices are present and functioning.
- Verify load indicators or sensors (if fitted) operate correctly.
- Check emergency release mechanisms work safely without jamming.
- Ensure warning labels and markings (e.g., “Do not side load”, “Use only with XYZ crane”) are clear and intact.
Function and Load Testing (where applicable)
Conduct a functional test (without load first):
- Verify smooth movement of all mechanisms.
- Ensure locking systems engage and release correctly.
- If required, perform a proof load or operational test under controlled conditions (by a competent person) to confirm performance.
Corrosion and Surface Protection
- Inspect for rust, pitting, or paint damage, especially around welds and bearing surfaces.
- Ensure protective coatings (paint, galvanising, etc.) are intact.
- Clean and recoat any exposed metal to prevent deterioration.
Documentation and Reporting
After the inspection, the competent person will issue a LOLER Thorough Examination Report. This must include:
- Date of the examination
- Details of the equipment inspected
- Findings, including any defects
- Recommendations or required actions
- Date of next examination due
- Statement on whether the equipment is safe to continue using
If any serious defects are found that pose immediate danger, they must be reported to the duty holder and the enforcing authority (e.g., HSE) immediately.
Summary
A lifting attachment LOLER inspection ensures that the lifting elements of the machine are safe, compliant, and fit for use. It helps prevent accidents caused by worn slings, damaged chains, or malfunctioning lifting mechanisms. While it does not replace regular maintenance, PUWER and LOLER inspections are a crucial legal requirement for keeping lifting operations safe and avoiding costly breakdowns or incidents.
Why Lifting Attachments Thorough Examinations Matter For You & Your Business.
Why LOLER98 Thorough Examinations Matter
LOLER98 thorough examinations are a legal requirement in the UK for all lifting equipment used at work, and for good reason. These inspections ensure that lifting equipment, such as cranes, hoists, slings, and lifting accessories are safe to use, and fit for purpose. The nature of lifting operations means that equipment failure can lead to catastrophic consequences, including serious injury, fatalities, and significant damage to property. By carrying out regular, scheduled thorough examinations by a competent person, businesses can identify wear and tear, structural damage, or faulty mechanisms before they result in an incident.
Pros of Getting a Thorough Examination in line with LOLER98
Legal Compliance and Risk Reduction: The most obvious advantage is staying compliant with health and safety law. Compliance avoids potential legal action, fines, or even prosecution. More importantly, it drastically reduces the risk of workplace accidents caused by lifting equipment failure.
Improved Safety Culture: Regular inspections foster a proactive safety culture within the organisation. Employees are more likely to trust equipment and feel safe in their work environment when they know thorough checks are in place.
Extended Equipment Lifespan: Regularly maintained and inspected equipment typically lasts longer. Examinations can identify early signs of damage or fatigue, allowing for preventative maintenance that avoids costly replacements or repairs.
Insurance and Liability Protection: Insurers may require evidence of LOLER compliance in the event of an incident. Without valid inspection records, insurance claims could be denied or reduced, leaving the business liable for damages.
Operational Efficiency: Detecting potential issues before they lead to equipment failure helps prevent unscheduled downtime. This keeps operations running smoothly and avoids the knock-on effects of delayed projects or interrupted workflows.
Cons of Failing to Carry Out LOLER Thorough Examinations
Legal and Financial Consequences: Failing to comply with LOLER can result in enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), including improvement notices, prohibition notices, fines, or even prosecution. Legal battles and associated costs can be financially crippling.
Increased Risk of Accidents: Equipment that hasn’t been thoroughly examined is far more likely to fail. Such failures can lead to injuries or fatalities, particularly in high-risk environments like construction or manufacturing. Beyond the human cost, the reputational damage to a business can be severe and long-lasting.
Higher Repair and Replacement Costs: Neglecting inspections can allow minor issues to develop into major faults. These may require costly emergency repairs or complete equipment replacement, expenses that could have been avoided through routine examinations.
Loss of Business and Clients: Clients often expect their contractors or suppliers to uphold strict safety standards. A failure to meet legal obligations like LOLER can result in lost contracts or blacklisting from future work, especially in regulated industries.
Increased Insurance Premiums or Invalidated Coverage: As mentioned, insurers may increase premiums or deny coverage entirely if a business can't provide evidence of up-to-date LOLER compliance, placing a heavier financial burden on operations.
LOLER thorough examinations aren’t just a box-ticking exercise - they are an essential component of a responsible, safety-first approach to using lifting equipment. The benefits of compliance are wide-ranging, from protecting human life to reducing costs and maintaining operational integrity. Conversely, the risks of neglecting these inspections can be devastating on multiple levels.
Key Points;
Examinations must be carried out by a competent person - A competent person is someone with the right practical and theoretical knowledge and experience to conduct thorough examinations of lifting equipment.
Key Points;
Examinations must be carried out in the following situations;
Before lifting equipment has been put into service, unless -
- The equipment has never been used before.
- An EC declaration of conformity has been drafted up and issued no longer than one year prior to the equipment being put into service.
Key Points;
An employer shall ensure that where the safety of lifting equipment depends of installation conditions, it is thoroughly examined;
- After installation and before being put into service.
- After assembly and being put into service at a new site, or a new location at it's current site.
Key Points;
Lifting periods;
- Every 6 months for lifting accessories and attachments, or for lifting equipment which is used for lifting persons.
- Every 12 months for other types of lifting equipment which does not fall into the above or below category.
- In line with an examination scheme, of which, the competent person deems the necessary intervals based on working environment and use etc.
Key Points;
A report of thorough examination must contain the following;
- The date the examination was undertaken and where it was undertaken
- Means of identifying the equipment (make, model, serial number, SWL etc)
- Any findings, comments and defects made by the competent person
- Defects highlighting imminent danger must be forwarded to the relevant authority (HSE) within 28 days.
Great experience working with Oliver on the PSSR for our compressors! The team was very professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. They made the entire process smooth and stress-free. We would definitely use them again.
We’ve been using Statutory Equipment Inspection Solutions Ltd for our inspection needs, and their service is unmatched by any competitor we’ve worked with. They are extremely professional, always quick to respond to messages, and consistently provide prompt, detailed reports to help us stay compliant with regulations. Highly reliable and a pleasure to work with — we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
SEIS have delivered LOLER and PSSR Thorough Examinations for us across Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire with the utmost professionalism and the highest standards. With brilliant communication and a friendly, knowledgeable approach, we highly recommend their services.
Oliver at SEIS turned up on short notice to help us out after our current inspections provider let us down. He had our overhead cranes and fork trucks examined, and reports sent to us on the same day. Fantastic service.
The engineer surveyor SEIS sent was personable, and knowledgable. They was happy to work around our operational needs and examined our tailboard lifts with minimal disruption.
Thanks again!
Craig
Thanks again!
Craig