For lifting inspection firms, duty holders and facilities teams managing LOLER thorough examinations, defects and lifting-equipment evidence in Great Britain. It is UK-focused and not legal advice.
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) require that lifting equipment used at work is thoroughly examined by a competent person at defined intervals.
How often?
- Every 6 months for equipment used to lift people, and for lifting accessories
- Every 12 months for other lifting equipment
- Or in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person
What counts as lifting equipment?
Cranes, hoists, gantries, fork-truck attachments, MEWPs, tail lifts, and accessories such as chains, slings and beam clamps all fall within scope.
The Report of Thorough Examination
After each examination the competent person issues a report identifying any defects that are or could become a danger, and the timescale for remedial action. Records must be kept and made available to inspectors.
Keeping on top of it
Across a fleet of equipment, the hard part is never missing a due date. CertFlow keeps every asset on its 6 or 12-month cycle, generates the report, and tracks defects through to a satisfactory re-examination.