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Lifting Tackle Inspection
Need your Lifting Tackle inspected in line with LOLER98 regulations? Get a quote today to ensure you remain compliant.
Lifting Tackle, Lifting Slings, Shackles, Eye-bolts, Chain slings Thorough Examinations
Lifting Tackle Within Industries
Lifting tackle refers to the equipment used to attach a load to a lifting machine such as a crane, hoist, or forklift. It includes items such as chains, slings, shackles, hooks, eyebolts, turnbuckles, and lifting beams. Lifting tackle is designed to safely support and control loads during lifting operations, ensuring weight is evenly distributed and the risk of slippage or failure is minimised. Correct selection and inspection of lifting tackle is essential to maintain safety and comply with lifting regulations.
Different types of lifting tackle are used depending on the load and application. Chain slings are commonly used for heavy, durable loads such as steel or machinery, while webbing and round slings are preferred for delicate or finished surfaces where protection from damage is important. Shackles and hooks provide secure connection points, while lifting beams and spreader beams help stabilise wide or unbalanced loads. Each component is rated for a specific safe working load and must be used within its limits.
Lifting tackle is used across a wide range of industries. In construction and civil engineering, it is essential for lifting steelwork, concrete sections, and building materials. Manufacturing and engineering industries use lifting tackle to move machinery, components, and assemblies. Other key sectors include shipbuilding, offshore and energy, ports and logistics, agriculture, and utilities, where heavy and awkward loads are regularly handled.
By using the correct lifting tackle for each task, industries can carry out lifting operations safely, efficiently, and in line with health and safety requirements. Regular inspection, proper training, and correct storage of lifting tackle help extend its working life and reduce the risk of accidents, making it a vital part of lifting operations in many working environments.
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;
 Lifting Slings
Types Covered:
- Webbing slings (synthetic flat slings)
- Round slings (endless synthetic slings)
- Wire rope slings
Inspection Includes:
ID Tags and Markings: Check that the sling has a clear, legible identification tag showing WLL (Working Load Limit), manufacturer, and certification.
General Condition:
- For webbing/round slings: Look for cuts, abrasions, chemical burns, UV damage, stitching damage, or signs of heat exposure.
- For wire rope slings: Check for broken wires, corrosion, crushing, kinks, bird-caging, or worn/thinned wires.
- End Fittings and Eyes: Ensure thimbles, ferrules, or hooks are secure, undamaged, and show no signs of deformation or excessive wear.
- Contamination: Slings contaminated with oil, chemicals, or moisture may need to be taken out of service, depending on material and risk.
 Chain Slings
Inspection Includes:
- ID Tag: Must be present and legible, indicating WLL, grade, number of legs, and angle range.
- Links and Master Links: Check for wear (especially at bearing points), stretching, twisting, cracks, or corrosion.
- Hooks: Look for tip spread, distortion, latch functionality, and signs of overloading.
- Chain Wear: Use calipers to measure link dimensions — a typical allowable wear limit is 10% reduction in cross-section.
- Joining Components: Inspect connectors, couplers, and shortening clutches for proper locking and any signs of damage or excessive movement.
 Shackles
Inspection Includes:
- Markings: Confirm the presence of CE/UKCA mark, WLL, size, and manufacturer ID.
- Body Condition: Check for distortion, corrosion, cracks, thread damage, or wear on the pin hole.
- Pin Condition: Ensure the pin is straight, threads are in good condition, and it can be tightened fully. Pins should be correct for the body and fit securely.
- Thread Engagement: Make sure threaded pins are fully engaged without cross-threading or excessive play.
 Eye BoltsÂ
Inspection Includes:
- Markings: Ensure size, WLL, thread type, and manufacturer info are present.
- Shank and Eye: Inspect for wear, corrosion, elongation, cracking, or signs of bending.
- Thread Condition: Threads must be clean, undamaged, and free from burrs or corrosion.
- Shoulder Seating: Confirm correct seating on a flat surface during prior use to ensure no side loading damage.
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 Common Defects That Would Fail Inspection:
- Â Missing or illegible ID tags
- Cuts or broken wires
- Deformed shackles or hooks
- Â Overstretched chain links
- Eye bolts with damaged threads
- Synthetic slings with heat or chemical damage
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 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
- Â 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 tackle 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 Tackle Thorough Examinations Matter For You & Your Business.Â
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 -Â 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 -Â
- 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.Â
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.Â
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