Access Equipment Inspections in Kent

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Work at height remains the single largest cause of fatal workplace injuries in the UK. MEWPs (mobile elevating work platforms), scaffold hoists, and powered access equipment must be thoroughly examined at regular intervals to protect the workers who rely on them. A thorough examination is not optional — it is a legal requirement wherever equipment is used to lift people to height.

MEWPs and Access Equipment in Kent

Work-at-height equipment in Kent ranges from boom lifts on commercial refurbishments through scissor lifts in warehouses to mast climbers on facade projects. Almost all of it falls in the 6-monthly LOLER inspection bracket — because almost all of it is used to lift people.

Work at height is the leading cause of fatal workplace injuries in the UK. Kent's construction and building maintenance sectors rely heavily on MEWPs, scaffold hoists, and powered access equipment — all of which must be thoroughly examined every 6 months because they lift persons. From cherry pickers maintaining commercial properties in Maidstone to mast climbers on residential tower cladding in Dartford, powered access equipment is in daily use across the county.

Access Equipment We Examine in Kent

Scissor lifts (electric and diesel)
Cherry pickers and boom lifts
Truck-mounted access platforms
Mast climbers
Scaffold hoists and material hoists
Building maintenance units (BMUs)

Access equipment thorough examinations prioritise platform stability and guardrail security, since personnel are directly exposed to fall risk. Hydraulic and electrical systems controlling boom extension and platform levelling are tested. Emergency lowering mechanisms must function independently of the main control system. Outrigger interlock systems and chassis levelling indicators are verified. Structural integrity of the boom, mast, and platform decking is assessed for fatigue, cracking, and corrosion.

Key Industrial and Commercial Areas in Kent

Crossways Business Park, Dartford

Eurolink Industrial Estate, Sittingbourne

Larkfield Trading Estate, Aylesford

Chatham Maritime and Gillingham Business Park

Discovery Park, Sandwich

Orbital Park, Ashford

Legal Requirements and Inspection Frequency

Because MEWPs and access platforms are used to lift persons, LOLER Regulation 9 requires thorough examination at intervals not exceeding 6 months — twice as frequent as equipment used only for lifting loads. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 impose additional duties on employers to plan, organise, and supervise work at height using suitable equipment.

Required Inspection Interval

Every 6 months (mandatory for all equipment lifting persons)

Scheduling Note for Kent

Because all access equipment lifts persons, the mandatory inspection interval is 6 months — twice as frequent as load-only lifting equipment. Kent businesses must plan inspection schedules carefully to avoid equipment downtime.

Hire Fleet Coordination Across Kent

Much of the access equipment in use across Kent is on hire rather than owned. We work directly with hire desks and end users to schedule examinations against the hire-in/hire-out cycle, so equipment doesn't sit beyond its examination date in a depot or on a site.

Key Sectors Driving Access Equipment Inspections Demand in Kent

Construction and fit-out
Facilities management and building maintenance
Window cleaning and external cleaning
Telecommunications mast work
Event setup and exhibition work
Film and broadcast production

Common Defects Identified

During access equipment inspections across Kent, our Engineer Surveyors regularly identify:

Emergency descent system failure or slow response
Platform guardrail looseness or gate latch failure
Boom section hydraulic cylinder leaks
Outrigger interlock bypass or malfunction
Control system wiring damage or water ingress
Chassis structural cracking on older machines

Infrastructure and Major Projects

Kent's infrastructure drives significant demand for access equipment inspections. Key sites and projects include:

Port of Dover
Channel Tunnel / Eurotunnel terminal, Folkestone
M20 and M2 motorway corridors
Thames Gateway regeneration zone
High Speed 1 (HS1) rail link
Medway ports at Sheerness and Thamesport

LOLER & PUWER Compliance Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the inspection interval 6 months instead of 12?

LOLER requires equipment used for lifting persons to be thoroughly examined every 6 months, rather than the standard 12 months for load-only lifting equipment. This reflects the higher risk to human life if the equipment were to fail.

Do hired MEWPs need a thorough examination?

Yes. The duty holder — typically the company hiring the MEWP — is responsible for ensuring the equipment has a valid thorough examination certificate before it is used. Reputable hire companies will provide this, but the duty holder must verify it.

What about scaffold hoists used temporarily on site?

Scaffold hoists and material hoists used on construction sites require thorough examination before first use and then at least every 6 months if lifting persons, or 12 months if lifting loads only. Temporary use does not exempt the equipment from inspection.

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.