LOLER Inspection Checklist

What a LOLER thorough examination checks, from structural integrity to safety devices, and what the competent person looks for.

LOLER inspection checklist: what gets checked during a thorough examination

A thorough examination under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) is a detailed, independent inspection of lifting equipment carried out by a competent person. It is not the same as routine maintenance or a pre-use check. The purpose is to identify defects that could lead to dangerous failure before they cause harm.

This checklist walks through the key areas assessed during a LOLER thorough examination and what the competent person is looking for.

Pre-examination documentation

Before hands-on inspection begins, the competent person reviews:

• The previous report of thorough examination
• Any outstanding defect notices from prior reports
• The Written Scheme of Examination (if one is in place)
• Maintenance records and modification history
• Installation certificates and design loading data
• Logbooks or daily/weekly check records

If previous defects have not been rectified, or if the equipment has been modified without engineering approval, this shapes the rest of the examination. Missing documentation is a defect in itself.

Structural integrity

The competent person inspects all load-bearing structural components for signs of:

• Cracking, distortion, or deformation of the main frame, boom, or mast
• Corrosion affecting structural strength — particularly at joints, end caps, and footings
• Weld deterioration, undercut, porosity, or joint failure
• Damage from impact, overloading, or misuse
• Foundation fixings and anchor bolt integrity (for fixed equipment)
• Wear in pin joints, bushes, and load-bearing bearings
• Distortion in hooks or lifting points
• Bent, dented, or damaged ram bodies

Structural checks are the foundation of every thorough examination. Hidden fatigue in a boom weld or a corroded anchor bolt can lead to catastrophic collapse without warning.

On older equipment, the competent person may request access for non-destructive testing (NDT) such as dye-penetrant, magnetic particle, or ultrasonic testing to confirm the integrity of critical welds.

Wire ropes, chains, and slings

Lifting accessories are among the most failure-prone components. The examination checks:

• Wire rope condition — broken strands, birdcaging, corrosion, kinking, heat damage
• Chain link elongation and wear against manufacturer tolerances (typically 5% elongation or 10% wear is discard criteria)
• Sling condition — fraying, cuts, abrasion, heat damage, chemical attack
• Correct identification markings and SWL (Safe Working Load) labels
• Termination fittings — ferrules, thimbles, eye splices, and end sockets
• Shackle body and pin wear
• Eyebolt thread condition and matching collar seating

Under LOLER, lifting accessories such as slings, shackles, and eyebolts must be examined at least every 6 months, regardless of whether the equipment they attach to is on a 12-month cycle.

Safety devices and controls

Every safety device on the equipment must be functionally tested, not just visually checked:

• Emergency stop buttons and circuits
• Overload protection and load moment indicators
• Limit switches (upper, lower, travel, slew)
• Anti-two-block devices (on cranes)
• Tilt sensors, stability systems, and outrigger interlocks
• Door interlocks (on lifts)
• Overspeed governors and safety gear (on lifts)
• Emergency lowering and manual descent mechanisms (on MEWPs)
• Fall protection anchor points and harness attachment rings
• Dead-man controls and hold-to-run switches

A safety device that fails to activate during normal operation may not be detectable through visual inspection alone. The competent person must functionally test these systems — by simulating overload, triggering limits deliberately, and verifying the correct response.

Hydraulic and mechanical systems

• Hydraulic ram seals — checking for leaks, creep, or slow descent under load
• Hose condition — chafing, cracking, bulging, heat-aged surface
• Braking systems — holding capacity under rated load
• Mechanical locking pawls and safety locks — automatic engagement and holding ability
• Gears, bearings, and slew rings — wear within tolerance
• Gearbox oil levels and condition
• Sheaves and pulleys — groove wear, flange damage
• Wheels, tyres, and rollers on mobile equipment

On a vehicle lift or scissor lift, slow descent under static load is one of the most common hydraulic issues identified. It typically indicates ram seal wear that will progress to failure.

Electrical systems

• Control panel condition and weatherproofing (IP rating compliance)
• Cable routing, terminations, and flex points
• Earth continuity and insulation resistance
• Contactors and relays — pitting, sticking
• Emergency lowering power supply (backup battery) — tested under load
• Limit switch wiring integrity
• Sensor alignment and calibration

Water ingress into control panels on outdoor equipment is a frequent cause of intermittent faults and is flagged on many thorough examinations.

Markings and documentation

• SWL or WLL markings legible, accurate, and not obscured by paint or grime
• Equipment identification (serial number, manufacturer plate, year of manufacture)
• Previous examination reports available for review on site
• Any defect notices from previous examinations have been addressed
• CE / UKCA marking on newer equipment
• Language and symbol compliance on safety signs

Equipment without a legible SWL marking fails the examination, regardless of its mechanical condition.

Ground conditions and installation environment (where applicable)

For lifting equipment installed in a fixed location — cranes, hoists, lifts, dock levellers — the competent person also considers:

• Ground bearing capacity or floor slab condition
• Foundation bolt torque and corrosion
• Proximity hazards (overhead cables, adjacent structures, pedestrian routes)
• Environmental factors (temperature, humidity, chemical exposure)
• Drainage in lift pits and water management systems

These factors do not form part of every examination, but where they are relevant they must be noted in the report.

What happens after the examination

The competent person produces a written report of thorough examination after every inspection. This report must:

• State whether the equipment is safe for continued use
• Identify any defects found and their severity (imminent risk, time-bound rectification, or observation)
• Specify the next examination due date
• Be retained by the duty holder for inspection by the HSE

If an imminent risk defect is identified, the competent person must notify the duty holder immediately and, under LOLER Regulation 10, must also notify the enforcing authority (usually the HSE or the local authority). The equipment must be withdrawn from service until the defect is rectified and a satisfactory re-examination is carried out.

Time-bound defects must be rectified within the deadline specified in the report. Observations do not require immediate action but flag emerging issues that will likely become defects at the next examination.

Record retention requirements

Under LOLER Regulation 11:

• Lifting equipment reports — retained until the next such report is made, or 2 years (whichever is longer)
• Lifting accessory reports — retained for 2 years
• Reports must be made available to HSE inspectors, insurance assessors, and in the event of an incident

Digital record-keeping is now standard practice and is accepted by the HSE.

Common reasons equipment fails a thorough examination

Based on typical findings across the industry:

1. Worn or missing safety markings — especially on accessories and older equipment
2. Hydraulic ram seal leaks on vehicle lifts and scissor lifts
3. Worn lifting hooks missing safety catches or deformed beyond tolerance
4. Corroded anchor bolts on fixed cranes and hoists
5. Overloaded wire rope slings showing broken strands
6. Interlock bypass on passenger and goods lift doors
7. Unlabelled or over-age MEWP harnesses (harnesses have a manufacturer-specified service life)
8. Stretched chain slings used outside tolerance
9. Missing or falsified prior examination records
10. Undocumented modifications — added lifting points, custom attachments

Every one of these can be avoided with a disciplined pre-use check regime and a proactive maintenance schedule.

Related services

We carry out LOLER thorough examinations across all equipment types:

• Lifting equipment inspections — hoists, slings, dock levellers
• Crane inspections — tower, mobile, overhead cranes
• Passenger and goods lift inspections — building lifts
• Work at height equipment inspections — MEWPs, access platforms
• Mobile plant inspections — forklifts, telehandlers, excavators
• Firefighting and evacuation lift inspections

We cover Kent, London, and Essex, with nationwide coverage available through the Engineer Surveyor Inspection Network.

For context on the regulatory framework, see our guide on LOLER vs PUWER or what qualifies as lifting equipment under LOLER.