What Is the Difference Between Lift Maintenance and Inspection?

Lift maintenance and lift inspection are often discussed together, but they are not the same activity and they serve very different legal purposes. Confusing the two can lead to gaps in compliance and increased risk for dutyholders.

Understanding the difference between lift maintenance and lift inspection is essential for anyone responsible for passenger lifts, goods lifts or other lifting equipment used to carry people.

What is lift maintenance?

Lift maintenance refers to routine work carried out to keep a lift operating correctly and reliably. This typically includes:

• Lubrication and adjustment of components

• Replacement of worn parts

• Functional checks of controls and safety devices

• Preventative servicing to reduce breakdowns

Maintenance is usually carried out by a lift service or maintenance contractor and is planned according to manufacturer recommendations or site requirements.

Maintenance is important, but it is not a statutory inspection.

What is lift inspection?

Lift inspection refers to a statutory thorough examination carried out under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).

A lift inspection is performed by a competent person to assess whether the lift is safe to continue in use. It focuses on identifying defects that could lead to danger rather than keeping the lift operational.

A lift inspection must result in a written report.

Lift maintenance and inspection: what is the difference?

The key difference between lift maintenance and inspection is purpose and independence.

• Maintenance aims to keep the lift working

• Inspection aims to confirm the lift is safe

• Maintenance is usually planned by the dutyholder or contractor

• Inspection must be carried out by a competent person who can make impartial judgements

Maintenance activities do not replace the legal requirement for inspection.

Which regulations apply to lift inspection?

Passenger and goods lifts used at work fall under LOLER because they are lifting equipment used to lift people.

LOLER requires lifts to undergo thorough examination, typically:

• Every six months where the lift is used to carry people

• Or in accordance with a written scheme of examination

Other regulations may also apply, including PUWER, which covers safe use and maintenance of work equipment.

Can a maintenance company carry out lift inspection?

In some cases, a maintenance provider may also be able to carry out thorough examinations, provided they meet the requirements of a competent person and can demonstrate impartiality.

Many dutyholders choose to use an independent inspection provider to clearly separate maintenance from statutory inspection. This helps ensure objective assessment and avoids conflicts of interest.

What happens after a lift inspection?

Following a lift inspection, a written report must be issued. This report will identify:

• Any defects that present an immediate risk

• Defects that require repair within a specified timescale

• Confirmation of whether the lift is safe to remain in service

Where serious defects are identified, the dutyholder must take appropriate action without delay.

Who is responsible for compliance?

Responsibility for ensuring lift inspection takes place rests with the dutyholder. This may include:

• Building owners

• Facilities management companies

• Employers

• Managing agents

Dutyholders must ensure inspections are carried out at the correct intervals and that reports are retained.

Summary

In summary:

• Lift maintenance and lift inspection are not the same

• Maintenance keeps the lift operating correctly

• Inspection confirms the lift is safe to use

• Lift inspection is a statutory requirement under LOLER

• Maintenance does not replace inspection

• Dutyholders are responsible for compliance

Understanding this distinction is critical for managing lifts safely and legally.