Book LOLER Thorough Examination
Need your lifting equipment examined in line with LOLER98 regulations? Get a quote today to ensure you remain compliant.
What Is a Thorough Examination Under LOLER 1998?
A thorough examination under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER 98) is a detailed, statutory inspection carried out to ensure that lifting equipment is safe to use and free from defects that could cause danger. It is a legal requirement in the UK and plays a critical role in preventing serious accidents involving lifting equipment.
A thorough examination is not the same as routine maintenance or daily checks. Instead, it is a formal assessment carried out by a competent person, usually an independent engineer surveyor, who has the knowledge, experience, and impartiality to identify safety-critical defects.
Why Thorough Examinations Are Required Under LOLER
Lifting equipment operates under significant loads and stress. Failure of a single component—such as a chain, brake, or structural member—can lead to dropped loads, serious injuries, or fatalities. LOLER was introduced to reduce these risks by ensuring lifting equipment is systematically examined at legally defined intervals.
From real-world inspection experience, many serious defects develop gradually and invisibly, including chain elongation, internal hydraulic wear, cracked welds, and excessive fork heel wear. Without a thorough examination, these defects can go unnoticed until failure occurs.
What Equipment Requires a Thorough Examination?
LOLER applies to all lifting equipment and lifting accessories used at work, including:
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Forklift trucks
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Cranes and hoists
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Passenger and goods lifts
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Vehicle tail lifts
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MEWPs used for lifting people
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Lifting beams, chains, slings, shackles, and eyebolts
Both owned and hired equipment fall under LOLER, and responsibility remains with the duty holder while the equipment is in use.
How Often Is a Thorough Examination Required?
LOLER sets statutory examination intervals unless a written scheme of examination specifies otherwise:
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Every 6 months
– Lifting equipment used to lift people
– All lifting accessories
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Every 12 months
– Lifting equipment used only for lifting loads
Examinations must also be carried out:
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After installation or re-assembly
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Following exceptional circumstances (damage, overload, long periods out of use)
Missing or overdue examinations are one of the most common LOLER compliance failures identified during audits and insurance reviews.
What Does a Thorough Examination Involve?
During a thorough examination, the competent person will assess all safety-critical and load-bearing components, which may include:
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Chains, wire ropes, forks, hooks, and lifting points
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Brakes, limit switches, and emergency systems
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Hydraulics, cylinders, and hoses
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Structural components, welds, and fixings
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Safety devices and warning systems
Measurements, functional tests, and close visual inspections are carried out. Where necessary, the examiner may require parts to be exposed, dismantled, or tested to properly assess their condition.
What Happens If Defects Are Found?
Following the examination, a written report is issued. Defects are classified based on risk:
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Dangerous defects – must be reported immediately, and the equipment must not be used until repaired
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Defects requiring repair – must be addressed within a specified timeframe
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Observations – issues that should be monitored or corrected during planned maintenance
If a dangerous defect is identified, the competent person has a legal duty to notify both the duty holder and, where required, the enforcing authority.
Who Is Responsible for LOLER Compliance?
The legal duty under LOLER rests with:
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Employers
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Self-employed persons
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Anyone in control of lifting equipment
This includes ensuring:
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Equipment is suitable and safe
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Thorough examinations are completed on time
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Defects are repaired before use
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Records are retained and available
Claiming that equipment is “maintained” or “rarely used” is not a legal defence if a statutory examination has been missed.
Why Thorough Examinations Matter Beyond Compliance
Beyond legal compliance, thorough examinations:
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Reduce the risk of serious accidents and downtime
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Protect employees and the public
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Support insurance validity
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Provide documented evidence of due diligence
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Protect directors and senior managers from personal liability
In many cases, insurers require proof of LOLER compliance as a condition of cover.
Final Thoughts
A thorough examination under LOLER 98 is a critical safety control, not a box-ticking exercise. It provides independent assurance that lifting equipment is safe, compliant, and fit for continued use. Organisations that treat LOLER examinations seriously not only meet their legal obligations but also protect their people, their reputation, and their business.
If you use lifting equipment at work, ensuring timely and competent thorough examinations is not optional—it’s essential.
LOLER98 FAQ's
Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), a competent person is the individual who carries out thorough examinations of lifting equipment and determines whether it is safe for continued use. The term is deliberately not defined by job title in the legislation; instead, competence is based on knowledge, training, experience, and independence.
What Makes Someone a “Competent Person” Under LOLER?
A competent person must have sufficient technical knowledge and practical experience of the lifting equipment being examined. This includes understanding how the equipment operates, how it can fail, and what defects are likely to arise through use, wear, or misuse. For example, examining a forklift truck requires different expertise to examining a crane, hoist, or passenger lift.
They must also have a working knowledge of LOLER and related legislation, such as PUWER, so they understand the legal standards the equipment must meet. This ensures that examination decisions are not just technically sound, but legally compliant.
Independence and Impartiality
LOLER requires the competent person to be sufficiently independent and impartial. In practice, this means they must be able to make objective safety decisions without pressure from production demands, budgets, or management. This is why many organisations use independent inspection bodies or insurance engineer surveyors, rather than in-house maintenance staff, to carry out thorough examinations.
While an in-house examiner is not automatically excluded, they must be able to demonstrate true independence and authority to remove equipment from service if a dangerous defect is found.
Legal Duties of the Competent Person
The competent person has specific legal responsibilities under LOLER, including:
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Carrying out thorough examinations at statutory intervals
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Identifying and assessing safety-critical defects
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Producing a written report of thorough examination
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Immediately reporting dangerous defects to the duty holder
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Notifying the enforcing authority where required
Their findings can have direct legal and operational consequences, so accuracy and professionalism are essential.
Who Appoints the Competent Person?
The duty holder (employer or person in control of the equipment) is responsible for appointing the competent person. However, the duty holder cannot override the examiner’s findings or continue using equipment that has been deemed unsafe.
In Summary
A competent person under LOLER is not defined by a certificate alone, but by a combination of technical competence, experience, legal knowledge, and independence. Their role is central to lifting safety, providing trusted, expert assurance that lifting equipment is safe to use and compliant with the law.
Yes, our Engineer Surveyors have a wealth of knowledge, experience and qualifications, and we are completely impartial, meaning we are able to carry out your LOLER98 thorough examinations.
Simply call on 0330 0438191, or fill in the book form on the bottom of this page.
