Access Equipment Inspections in Sussex

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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 Sussex

Work-at-height equipment in Sussex 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 equipment is in continuous use across Sussex's hospitality estate, construction sites, and building maintenance operations. Cherry pickers and scissor lifts maintain the coastal hotel and retail stock from Brighton through Worthing to Eastbourne; mast climbers and powered access platforms support multi-storey residential development across the Gatwick / Crawley corridor and the south coast; mobile access platforms cover Sussex's substantial tree surgery and external maintenance work across the Downs.

Access Equipment We Examine in Sussex

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 Sussex

Manor Royal Business District, Crawley

Newhaven Enterprise Zone, East Sussex

Goodwood Aerodrome and surrounding industrial estates, Chichester

Brighton Marina commercial estate

Foredown Industrial Estate, Portslade

Whitehouse Lane Industrial Estate, Worthing

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 Sussex

MEWPs lift personnel and therefore carry the 6-monthly LOLER examination interval. Sussex hire-fleet operators benefit from coordinated examination scheduling against hire-in/hire-out cycles, particularly around the Gatwick / Crawley corridor where hire equipment churns most actively.

Hire Fleet Coordination Across Sussex

Much of the access equipment in use across Sussex 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 Work at Height Equipment Inspections Demand in Sussex

Construction and fit-out (Gatwick / Crawley corridor, south coast)
Hospitality maintenance (Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne)
Facilities management and building maintenance
Window cleaning and external maintenance
Telecommunications mast work
Tree surgery and grounds maintenance (South Downs)

Common Defects Identified

During work at height equipment inspections across Sussex, 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

Sussex's infrastructure drives significant demand for work at height equipment inspections. Key sites and projects include:

London Gatwick Airport (north Sussex)
Port of Newhaven (cross-Channel ferry)
M23 / A23 corridor (London to south coast)
A27 corridor (Brighton to Chichester to Portsmouth)
Brighton mainline rail to London
Channel and ferry connections to Dieppe

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 both East Sussex and West Sussex?

Yes. Our Sussex coverage spans both ceremonial counties — from the Hastings and Bexhill areas in the east through Brighton, Worthing, and Chichester to the West Sussex boundary with Hampshire. Multi-site routing along the A27 and around the Gatwick / Crawley corridor keeps travel cost-per-item efficient for buyers with sites across Sussex.