Do warehouses need LOLER inspections?

Yes, for any lifting equipment. Forklifts, pallet stackers, goods lifts, lift tables, tail lifts, overhead hoists and lifting accessories all need a thorough examination by a competent person, at least every 12 months, or every 6 months for equipment that lifts people and for lifting accessories.

How often does a forklift need a thorough examination?

At least every 12 months under LOLER, or every 6 months if it lifts people, for example with a work platform. Order pickers that raise the operator also need examining every 6 months.

Does a pallet truck need a LOLER inspection?

Only if it lifts high. HSE's LOLER guidance includes high-lift pallet trucks that can raise the forks above 300mm. A standard low-lift pallet truck is covered by PUWER instead, so it still needs maintaining and inspecting.

Do dock levellers and roller shutters need inspecting?

Yes, under PUWER. They are not lifting equipment, so LOLER does not apply, but they must be maintained and inspected at intervals set by your risk assessment. Powered doors and gates also fall under the Workplace Regulations.

Does a forklift thorough examination cover the brakes and steering?

Not always. LOLER covers the lifting parts, such as the mast, chains and forks. The brakes, steering and overhead guard fall under PUWER. Some examinations only cover the LOLER items, so ask exactly what is included before you book.

Can the company that services our forklifts also examine them?

LOLER does not expressly stop it, but HSE says the examiner must be independent and impartial enough to make objective decisions. Using a separate examiner avoids anyone checking their own work.

Who is responsible for LOLER in a leased warehouse?

Whoever controls the equipment. You are responsible for your own forklifts and other kit. If the landlord owns a goods lift or dock leveller, the lease should say who arranges and pays for its examination. Agree it in writing.

Does warehouse racking need a LOLER inspection?

No. Racking is not lifting equipment. HSE's guidance HSG76 recommends regular visual checks by trained staff and an expert inspection at least once a year, usually by a SEMA approved racking inspector.

How much does a LOLER inspection cost for a warehouse?

It depends on how many items you have, what they are and where you are based, so every quote is worked out for your site. Once agreed, the price stays fixed for all your ongoing examinations.

LOLER and PUWER inspections for warehouses and logistics

Q: Who enforces health and safety in warehouses?

It depends on what the warehouse does. Some are enforced by HSE and others by the local council's environmental health team. Either can visit, ask to see your examination reports, and serve improvement or prohibition notices.

Warehouses need their forklifts, pallet stackers, goods lifts and tail lifts thoroughly examined under LOLER at least every 12 months, and every 6 months for anything that lifts people. Dock levellers, roller shutters, conveyors and yard ramps fall under PUWER. PULO examines the lot in one visit, booked around your shifts, across Nottingham, the Midlands and the UK.

Independent: we examine, we don’t sell, hire, service or repair anything
Trucks, lifts, doors and conveyors in one visit, one report
Booked around your shifts and your peak times
One quote, fixed for all your ongoing examinations

5.0* rated · 14 years in the industry · 3 ISO certifications · UK-wide coverage

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Independently certified and accredited

Which one are you?

what needs examining and how often?

Counterbalance and reach forklifts: at least every 12 months under LOLER. Brakes, steering, tyres and overhead guard under PUWER. See forklift examinations.
Order pickers and trucks with work platforms: every 6 months, because they lift people.
High-lift pallet trucks and pallet stackers (forks above 300mm): at least every 12 months. See does a pallet truck need a LOLER inspection?
Goods lifts and mezzanine goods lifts: at least every 12 months, or every 6 months if anyone rides in them. See does a goods lift need a LOLER inspection?
Scissor lift tables: at least every 12 months.
Vehicle tail lifts: 6 or 12 months, depending on whether anyone rides on the platform. See how often should a tail lift be inspected?
Overhead cranes and hoists in goods-in or workshops: at least every 12 months.
MEWPs and scissor lifts for high-level maintenance: every 6 months.
Slings, chains, drum clamps and other lifting accessories: every 6 months.
Dock levellers, roller shutters and loading bay doors: PUWER, at intervals set by your risk assessment. See roller shutter and dock leveller inspections.
Conveyors: PUWER. See conveyor inspections.
Mobile yard ramps: PUWER and the Work at Height Regulations.
New or moved equipment: before first use, where its safety depends on how it was installed (LOLER Regulation 9(2)).

Forklifts: LOLER covers the lifting parts, PUWER covers the rest

The mast, carriage, chains, forks and hydraulics are lifting equipment, so they’re examined under LOLER. The brakes, steering, tyres, lights, seat belt and overhead guard are covered by PUWER. A truck can pass on its lifting parts and still have brakes that don’t hold.

Not every examination covers both. A survey by CFTS, the forklift industry’s examination scheme, found most owners wrongly assumed the brakes were always included. Before you book anyone, ask exactly what they’ll check.

Dealer examination, insurance inspection or independent examiner?

Forklift dealer: handy, because they already service your trucks, but it means they’re examining their own work.

Insurance inspection: bundled with your policy, but the examiner and the report change every time you change insurer.

Independent examiner: examines and nothing else, so you get an objective check on your trucks, lifts and doors in one report.

leased units - who's responsible?

You’re responsible for the equipment you control: your own trucks, pallet trucks and lifting gear. In a leased or multi-let unit, the landlord often owns the goods lift, the dock levellers or the roller shutters. The lease should say who arranges and pays for their examination and maintenance. If it doesn’t, agree it in writing.

Send us your lease’s repairs schedule and we’ll tell you which items need examining and who it points to.

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who checks up on you?

Depending on what your warehouse does, it’s either HSE or your local council’s environmental health team. Either can visit, ask to see your examination reports, and serve improvement or prohibition notices.

Fines can be large. In July 2026, a logistics company in Middlesbrough was fined £425,000 after a warehouse supervisor died in a fall from a mobile loading ramp. Workers had been using the ramp without handrails, against the manufacturer’s instructions.

Why warehouses choose PULO Compliance

Independent. We never sell, hire, service or repair the equipment we examine.
A named engineer. Every examination is carried out and signed by Ryan Leavesley MSOE MBES, an engineer surveyor for 14 years.
We get you booked in before each examination falls due.
Fixed quotes. Agreed once, fixed for all your ongoing examinations.
Accredited. ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certified, CHAS Advanced accredited, INITA members.
Rated 5.0* on Google.

If We Find a Defect

Danger now: we tell you on the spot, and the lift stays out of use until it’s fixed (LOLER Regulation 10)
Serious risk of injury: the law requires us to send a copy of the report to the enforcing authority too
Everything else: listed as a dated action for your lift contractor, so you know what’s urgent and what can wait

where we cover

Based in Nottingham, we examine lifting equipment and machinery for warehouses and distribution centres across Nottinghamshire, Derby, Leicester, Loughborough, Lincoln, Newark, Mansfield, Grantham and the wider Midlands, including the M1 and A50 corridors. We travel anywhere in the UK, so multi-site operators can use one examiner for every site.

REVIEWS

SEE WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

I had a brilliant experience with the Pulo Compliance Team. They recently carried out a LOLER inspection on our lift, and the service was fantastic. The inspector was professional, efficient, and caused minimal disruption to our day. Highly recommend them for any compliance and safety needs!

Mohd Alali

Ryan arrived punctually and demonstrated a high level of professionalism. His extensive knowledge and technical expertise were truly impressive. I highly recommend PULO Compliance for their exceptional service.

lee chapman

Thank you Ryan. What a pleasure to work with. PULO compliance is an incredibly professional company and your knowledge of LOLER, PSSR and especially lift inspections is remarkable. It has been an absolute dream to work with you and I hope we are fortunate to work together in the future.

lee charnock

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