LOLER Routine Thorough Lift Inspections

Q. Is LOLER a legal requirement?

A. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER or LOLER regulations) place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over lifting equipment. (The “Duty Holder”)

LOLER is supported by the Safe use of Lifting Equipment approved code of practice (ACOP) which in turn has been produced under Section 16 of the Health and safety at work Act. (HSW). This ACOP supports not only LOLER but also the provisions of section 2 of the HSW, and other regulations, including the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations and PUWER.

Q. What are the requirements for inspection under LOLER?

A. Thorough routine inspections must be carried out at:

Passenger carrying Lifts – Twice Yearly at 6-month intervals.

Goods only Lifts – Annually

Q. What constitutes a thorough inspection?

A. This is a systematic and detailed examination of the equipment and safety-critical parts, carried out at specified intervals by a competent person who must then complete a written report. This report must contain the information required by LOLER Schedule 1, including (but not limited to):

• the examination date

• the date when the next thorough examination is due

• any defects found which are (or could potentially become) a danger to people

Q. Who can carry out these inspections?

A. The LOLER regulations state that a thorough examination must be carried out by a competent person, who is sufficiently independent and impartial to allow objective decisions to be made.

A competent person is defined within the LOLER Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) as someone who “has such appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the lifting equipment to be thoroughly examined as will enable them to detect defects or weaknesses and to assess their importance in relation to the safety and continued safe use of the lifting equipment”.

Q. My lifts are regularly serviced, is that not the same thing?

A. Thorough examination should not be confused with preventive maintenance, although they have some elements in common. Preventive maintenance usually involves replacing worn or damaged parts, topping up fluid levels and making routine adjustments to ensure risks are avoided. Thorough examination may act as a check that maintenance is being carried out properly, but is not intended to replace it.

Q. Can my maintenance contractor not carry out the inspections?

A. Having the lifts inspected by a competent person who is not your maintenance contractor (i.e. independent from) ensures that there is no conflict of interest.

HSE Guidance Note INDG 422 states: "should not be the same person who performs routine maintenance as they would be responsible for assessing their own work;"

Commonly referred to as “Insurance Inspections”, and in some cases neglected altogether, thorough routine examinations are required to ensure the continued safety of your lifts and compliance with regulations.

Here we look at some frequently asked questions and misconceptions:

To find out how we can assist you with inspection, condition surveys, design, maintenance management and all other aspects of lift and Escalator consultancy services please contact us via our office or website at www.consultalift.co.uk