What happens during a LOLER inspection, and how long does it take?
A LOLER inspection is a hands-on examination of the safety-critical parts of your lifting equipment by a competent person, followed by a written report. The examiner checks the structure for wear and damage, tests the controls and safety devices, and checks the markings. Each item is out of use only while it’s being examined, and how long that takes depends on the equipment.
The most common worry I hear before a first visit is disruption. Will the warehouse stop? Will residents be stuck without a lift all day? Usually that's not the case - With a bit of preparation, most sites carry on working around me.
Before the visit: what to have ready
The more of this you have ready, the quicker and cheaper the visit:
A list of what’s to be examined, with ID or serial numbers if you have them
Your last reports, so I can see the history and any defects that were due to be fixed
Access and keys: machine rooms, plant rooms, MEWP keys, forklift keys
Someone who can operate the equipment, or tell me who can
Everything in one place: slings, chains and shackles gathered together, including the ones that live in vans
For passenger lifts: your lift contractor’s engineer booked to attend, to give access to the pit, car top and machine room
On the day: what the examiner does
Checks the paperwork and ID. Is this the item on the register, and does the safe working load on it match?
Examines it visually. Structure, welds, wear, corrosion, cracks, damage, missing parts.
Measures where it matters. Chain stretch, fork heel wear, wire rope condition, pin and bush wear.
Tests that it works safely. Controls, limits, brakes, emergency stops, alarms, locks and safety devices, usually with the equipment running.
Checks the markings. Safe working load, ID numbers, warning signs.
Decides whether a test is needed. Most of the time it isn’t. More in does lifting equipment need load testing?
What’s examined and what to have ready
Equipment | What’s examined | What to have ready |
Car, doors and locks, safety gear, ropes, machine, controls, pit and car top | Your lift contractor’s engineer on site, access to the machine room, lift out of service for the examination | |
Forks, chains, mast, carriage, lifting hydraulics, attachments, rating plate | Truck parked up, charged or fuelled, keys, someone to operate it | |
Boom, mast, actuator, spreader bar, emergency lowering, every sling and its label | Hoists charged, all slings gathered with their labels | |
Columns, arms, pads, ropes or chains, locks, hydraulics, controls | Bay clear and the lift empty | |
Platform, guardrails, boom or scissor pack, emergency lowering, tilt and overload alarms | Charged or fuelled, keys, a clear area | |
Hook, rope or chain, brakes, limits, pendant, trolley and runway | Access to height, the crane free to use, isolation arranged | |
Each item: wear, damage, markings and ID tag | Everything gathered in one place, vans included |
What if something fails?
You’ll know before I leave. If a defect is dangerous, the equipment can’t be used until it’s put right, and I’ll tell you straight away, on the spot. If it’s a defect that could become dangerous, the report gives you a date to fix it by. Either way, you’ll have photos to pass to whoever does your repairs.
More on what happens next in what happens if your lifting equipment fails a LOLER inspection?
What you get before I leave
I write the reports while I’m still on site, so you’re not waiting for paperwork. Every item gets its own report, saying:
whether it’s safe to use
what needs fixing, and by when
when it’s next due
Photos are included for your service team. Then we contact you before each one falls due again. Have a look at our sample report to see what one looks like.
How to keep disruption to a minimum
Book everything on one visit. Lifts, forklifts, slings and hoists on the same site can usually be done together.
Line up your dates. If equipment has different due dates, bring the later items forward so everything falls due together next time.
Tell your team. A quick note that equipment will be out of use one item at a time saves a lot of questions on the day.
LOLER inspections across the East Midlands
We carry out LOLER thorough examinations on lifts, hoists, forklifts, telehandlers, MEWPs, vehicle lifts, cranes and lifting accessories across Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Loughborough and Lincoln, and out to Newark, Mansfield and Grantham. We also travel anywhere in the UK.
Every examination is carried out and signed by me, Ryan Leavesley MSOE MBES, an engineer surveyor with over 14 years’ experience. We don’t sell, hire or repair equipment, so nothing we find is a sale. Once we’ve agreed a price, it stays fixed for all your ongoing examinations.
Switching from another company? Read how to switch your LOLER inspection company. Or tell us what you’ve got and we’ll come back with a fixed quote.
FAQs
What happens during a LOLER inspection?
A competent person examines the safety-critical parts of the equipment for wear, damage and defects, checks the controls and safety devices work, and checks the markings. They then write a report saying whether it’s safe to use, what needs fixing and when it’s next due.
How long does a LOLER inspection take?
It depends on the type and amount of equipment. A set of slings takes minutes per item, while a passenger lift or overhead crane takes longer. Having everything ready, with access and someone to operate it, makes the visit quicker.
Does equipment have to be out of use during a LOLER inspection?
Only while it’s being examined. Each item is taken out of use for its own examination, so the rest of the site can usually keep working around the examiner.
Do I need to be there during the inspection?
Someone who knows the site needs to be available to give access, find the equipment and, where needed, operate it. They don’t need to stay with the examiner the whole time.
Does my lift engineer need to attend a lift inspection?
Usually, yes. For passenger and goods lifts, your lift maintenance contractor’s engineer often attends to give safe access to the pit, car top and machine room, and to operate the lift during the examination.
What happens if my equipment fails a LOLER inspection?
If a defect is dangerous, the equipment can’t be used until it’s fixed, and you’ll be told immediately. If a defect could become dangerous, the report gives a date by which it must be fixed.
When will I get my LOLER report?
The law says as soon as practicable, and HSE’s guidance is normally within 28 days where there are no serious defects. We write our reports on site, so you have them before we leave.
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