Lifting Equipment Inspections in Medway, Kent
Local Service Hub
Lifting equipment covers a broad category of machinery used to raise, lower, and suspend loads across industrial, commercial, and public sector environments. From chain hoists and pulley blocks to powered lifting tables and dock levellers, these items require regular thorough examination to remain legally compliant and safe for continued use.
The Medway towns — Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham, Strood, and Rainham — form one of the largest urban areas in Kent. The area has a strong industrial heritage rooted in the former Chatham Dockyard and retains a substantial engineering, manufacturing, and construction sector. Rochester Airport industrial estate and the Medway City Estate are significant centres of commercial activity. Our Engineer Surveyors provide lifting equipment inspections to businesses throughout Medway and nearby areas including Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham.
What We Inspect in Medway
A thorough examination of general lifting equipment assesses the structural integrity of load-bearing components, condition of chains, ropes and slings, operation of braking and locking mechanisms, security of anchor points and fixings, and verification that safe working load markings are legible and accurate.
Industries We Support in Medway
Medway's local economy includes engineering and manufacturing, construction, logistics, and maritime services — sectors where lifting equipment inspections are regularly required to maintain legal compliance and workplace safety.
Across Kent, Construction and logistics dominate demand for lifting equipment inspections across Kent. The Thames Gateway development programme continues to drive building activity in the north of the county, while cross-Channel freight operations sustain a large fleet of material handling equipment along the M20 corridor. Manufacturing, food processing, and agricultural operations across the county's rural areas also generate steady inspection demand.
Local Coverage Areas
We provide lifting equipment inspections to businesses at and around Medway City Estate, Gillingham Business Park, Rochester Airport industrial area, as well as across the wider Medway area.
Inspection Frequency and Legal Requirements
Under LOLER Regulation 9, lifting equipment must receive a thorough examination by a competent person at intervals not exceeding 12 months, or 6 months for equipment used to lift persons. Lifting accessories such as slings, shackles, and eyebolts must be examined at least every 6 months regardless of use.
Required Inspection Interval
Every 6 months for lifting accessories; every 12 months for lifting equipment (6 months if lifting persons)
Common Defects Found
During lifting equipment inspections in Medway and the wider Kent area, our Engineer Surveyors commonly identify:
- Chain link elongation and wear beyond tolerance
- Damaged or deformed hooks missing safety catches
- Worn or frayed wire rope slings
- Cracked welds on fabricated lifting beams
- Illegible or missing SWL markings
Covering Medway and Kent
Kent businesses often require flexible scheduling to accommodate the county's spread-out geography, from the Thames Estuary in the north to the Romney Marsh in the south. Our local Engineer Surveyors operate across the entire county, reducing travel time and enabling responsive service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as lifting equipment under LOLER?
LOLER defines lifting equipment as any work equipment used for lifting or lowering loads, including the load itself. This covers cranes, hoists, lifts, slings, chains, eyebolts, and even a simple rope and pulley arrangement.
What is the difference between a thorough examination and a service?
A thorough examination is a statutory safety inspection carried out by an independent competent person. It is not the same as routine maintenance or servicing. The examiner looks specifically for defects that could lead to dangerous failure, whereas a service focuses on operational performance.
Do we need to keep records of thorough examinations?
Yes. LOLER requires that a written report is produced after every thorough examination. These reports must be kept available for inspection by the HSE. Reports for lifting equipment must be retained until the next examination; reports for lifting accessories must be kept for at least two years.
Do you cover all of Kent including rural areas?
Yes. Our Engineer Surveyors are based across Kent and cover the entire county from the Thames Estuary towns in the north through to the Romney Marsh in the south. We regularly attend sites in rural locations, farms, and small workshops as well as major industrial estates and construction sites.
Lifting Equipment Inspections in Kent
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