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How To Prepare For A LOLER Thorough Examination
If your business uses lifting equipment, preparing properly for a LOLER thorough examination isn’t just about passing an inspection — it’s about protecting people, maintaining uptime, and meeting your legal duties under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).
Whether you manage a warehouse, construction site, manufacturing facility, or commercial property, this practical guide explains exactly how to prepare for a LOLER thorough examination, what inspectors look for, and how to demonstrate full compliance.
What Is a LOLER Thorough Examination?
Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), all lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at specified intervals.
A thorough examination is not the same as routine servicing or maintenance. It is a systematic and detailed safety inspection of components that could cause danger if they fail.
Typical lifting equipment covered includes:
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Forklifts
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Mobile and tower cranes
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Passenger and goods lifts
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Vehicle tail lifts
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Hoists
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Chains, slings, shackles and other lifting accessories
The purpose is to identify defects before they lead to serious incidents, enforcement action, or prosecution.
Why Proper Preparation Matters
Failure to prepare can result in:
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Equipment being taken out of service
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Costly downtime
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Reported defects sent to enforcing authorities
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Breaches of health and safety law
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Increased insurance risk
According to guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), duty holders must ensure lifting equipment is safe, suitable, and properly examined. If a serious defect is identified, the competent person is legally required to report it.
Preparation demonstrates proactive safety management — a key factor inspectors and regulators look for.
Step 1: Check Your Examination Schedule
LOLER sets minimum examination intervals:
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Every 6 months – Equipment used for lifting people
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Every 6 months – Lifting accessories
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Every 12 months – Other lifting equipment
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Or in accordance with a written scheme of examination
Before your scheduled inspection:
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Confirm the due dates for each asset
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Cross-check your asset register
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Review your written scheme (if applicable)
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Ensure nothing has exceeded its inspection window
Missing deadlines is one of the most common compliance failures.
Step 2: Review Previous LOLER Reports
Examiners will check whether previously identified defects were resolved within the recommended timeframe.
Before the visit:
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Retrieve the last thorough examination report
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Confirm all defects were repaired
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Keep evidence of corrective action
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Ensure documentation is organised and accessible
A pattern of unresolved advisories can raise concerns about your safety management systems.
Step 3: Ensure Equipment Is Clean and Accessible
A surprisingly common cause of delays is poor access.
Make sure:
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Equipment is clean enough for visual inspection
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Chains, hooks and load-bearing parts are visible
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Access platforms or MEWPs are available if needed
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Operators are present for functional checks
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Safety devices are operational
If the examiner cannot safely inspect a component, the equipment may fail the examination.
Step 4: Conduct a Pre-Inspection Safety Check
Responsible duty holders often carry out an internal pre-check before the official examination.
Look for:
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Excessive wear on chains or wire ropes
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Cracked welds
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Damaged hooks or safety latches
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Hydraulic leaks
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Unusual noises during operation
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Missing markings or SWL labels
Addressing obvious defects beforehand reduces the likelihood of equipment being immediately withdrawn from service.
Step 5: Confirm the Competent Person’s Credentials
Under LOLER, examinations must be carried out by a competent person — someone with sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge and independence.
When selecting a provider, verify:
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Relevant engineering qualifications
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Experience with your equipment type
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Professional indemnity insurance
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Independence from day-to-day maintenance decisions
Using a reputable inspection body strengthens your compliance position and supports your due diligence obligations.
Step 6: Brief Your Team
Ensure managers and operators:
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Know when the inspection is scheduled
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Avoid booking urgent jobs during that time
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Understand the importance of cooperation
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Report any concerns before the inspection
A coordinated approach prevents disruption and demonstrates strong internal safety culture.
Step 7: Understand What Happens After the Examination
Following the inspection, you will receive a written report detailing:
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Any defects found
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Whether defects are dangerous or potentially dangerous
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Timescales for remedial action
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Whether the equipment is safe to remain in service
If a defect presents an immediate risk of serious injury, the competent person must notify the relevant enforcing authority.
Keep all reports on file — they are legal documents and may be requested during audits or investigations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many businesses unintentionally weaken their compliance by:
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Confusing maintenance with thorough examination
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Missing 6-month intervals for lifting accessories
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Failing to keep organised inspection records
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Ignoring advisory observations
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Not updating written schemes after equipment changes
Avoiding these issues protects both your workforce and your business reputation.
Final Thoughts: Preparation Protects People and Profit
Preparing for a LOLER thorough examination should never be a last-minute task. It is part of a wider risk management strategy that keeps employees safe and operations running efficiently.
By reviewing documentation, resolving defects early, ensuring accessibility, and working with a qualified competent person, you reduce the risk of enforcement action and unexpected downtime.
If your next LOLER examination is approaching, start preparing now. Prevention is always more cost-effective than corrective action — and when it comes to lifting equipment safety, compliance is not optional.
LOLER98 Thorough Examination FAQ's
A LOLER thorough examination is a legally required, systematic inspection of lifting equipment under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). It must be carried out by a competent person to identify defects that could cause danger. It is more detailed than routine servicing or maintenance.
LOLER requires lifting equipment to be examined:
- Every 6 months for equipment used to lift people
- Every 6 months for lifting accessories (e.g., slings and chains)
- Every 12 months for other lifting equipment
- Or according to a written scheme of examination
Failing to meet these intervals can result in enforcement action.
A LOLER examination must be conducted by a competent person — someone with the necessary practical and theoretical knowledge of lifting equipment. According to the Health and Safety Executive, the competent person must also be sufficiently independent and impartial to make objective decisions.
No. A LOLER thorough examination is not the same as maintenance or servicing. Maintenance involves routine upkeep and repairs, while a thorough examination is a formal safety assessment focusing on components that could pose a risk if they fail.
Both are required, but they serve different legal purposes.
If a defect poses an immediate risk of serious personal injury, the competent person must:
- Declare the equipment unsafe for use
- Issue a report detailing the defect
- Notify the relevant enforcing authority
The equipment must not be used until the defect is repaired and confirmed safe.
LOLER applies to all lifting equipment used at work, including:
- Forklifts
- Cranes
- Passenger and goods lifts
- Hoists
- Vehicle tail lifts
- Lifting accessories such as chains, slings, shackles, and eyebolts
If equipment lifts or lowers a load, it is likely covered by LOLER.
To prepare for a LOLER thorough examination, you should have:
- Previous examination reports
- Maintenance and repair records
- A written scheme of examination (if applicable)
- Equipment identification and asset registers
Accurate documentation demonstrates compliance and reduces delays.
A written scheme of examination is a document produced by a competent person that sets out:
- Which parts of the equipment must be examined
- The examination intervals
- The inspection methods
It can override standard 6- or 12-month intervals where justified by risk assessment.
Non-compliance with LOLER can result in:
- Improvement or prohibition notices
- Fines
- Prosecution
- Invalidated insurance
- Increased liability in the event of an accident
Compliance protects both employees and business directors.
To prepare effectively:
- Check your inspection dates
- Review previous reports
- Fix known defects in advance
- Ensure equipment is clean and accessible
- Organise all documentation
Proactive preparation reduces downtime and demonstrates strong health and safety management.
