Finance Editor, Kael Tripton Ltd - LBS MBA - Verified against FCA Handbook: 14 June 2026
Quick answer
LOLER 1998 applies to all lifting equipment used at work. Thorough examination by a competent person: every 6 months for people-lifting equipment and all accessories, every 12 months for other lifting equipment. Safe working load must be marked on all equipment. Examination reports must be kept for at least 2 years.
What Are LOLER Regulations and What Do They Require?
Direct answer
What does LOLER require for lifting equipment?
LOLER 1998 (legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/2307) requires: all lifting equipment to have a safe working load marked, be strong and stable for the intended use, and be thoroughly examined by a competent person every 6 months (people-lifting and accessories) or 12 months (other equipment). Examination reports must be kept for at least 2 years. Defects posing imminent danger must be reported immediately.
Identify all lifting equipment on site
List every piece of equipment that lifts or lowers loads: cranes, forklifts, hoists, MEWPs, slings, shackles. Check that each has a safe working load marked.
Schedule thorough examinations
Book a competent person for: every 6 months for people-lifting equipment and all accessories; every 12 months for other lifting equipment.
Keep thorough examination reports
File all LOLER examination reports. Retain for minimum 2 years. For people-lifting equipment, retain until the equipment ceases to be used.
Act on defects immediately
If the competent person identifies a defect posing imminent danger, the equipment must be taken out of service immediately.
Train all operators
Only trained and authorised persons should operate lifting equipment.
| Equipment type | Examination frequency | Report retention |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment for lifting persons (passenger lifts, MEWPs, patient hoists) | Every 6 months | Until equipment ceases to be used |
| Lifting accessories (slings, shackles, chains, hooks) | Every 6 months | 2 years minimum |
| Other lifting equipment (cranes, forklifts, hoists for loads) | Every 12 months | 2 years minimum |
| Equipment after exceptional circumstances | Before return to service | 2 years minimum |
Related KT guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What are LOLER Regulations?
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER, SI 1998/2307) require that all lifting equipment used at work is: strong and stable enough for the intended load, visibly marked with a safe working load, positioned and installed to minimise risks, used safely and used only by people who have been trained, subject to ongoing thorough examination and, where appropriate, inspection by competent persons. LOLER applies to any equipment used for lifting or lowering loads including cranes, forklift trucks, lifts, hoists, slings and accessories.
What lifting equipment does LOLER apply to?
LOLER applies to all lifting equipment used at work to lift or lower loads, including: cranes (mobile, overhead, tower), forklift trucks, goods and passenger lifts, vehicle inspection hoists, patient hoists in healthcare, scissor lifts and MEWPs, telehandlers, overhead gantry cranes, chain blocks, slings, shackles and other lifting accessories. It applies to both permanently installed equipment and portable equipment used at work.
How often must lifting equipment be inspected under LOLER?
Under LOLER Regulation 9, lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined by a competent person: for equipment used for lifting persons -- at least every 6 months; for accessories used to lift loads (slings, shackles, chains) -- at least every 6 months; for all other lifting equipment -- at least every 12 months. Additional inspections are required after assembly in a new location, after exceptional circumstances (accident, damage), and before first use if the equipment has not been supplied with an EC Declaration of Conformity.
Who is a competent person for LOLER inspections?
A competent person under LOLER must have sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the lifting equipment to be examined to be able to detect defects and assess their importance. In practice, competent persons are typically specialist engineers employed by independent inspection companies (UKAS-accredited or similar), insurance company engineers, or in-house engineers with appropriate qualifications and experience. They must not be inspecting equipment for which they have maintenance responsibilities.
What records must be kept under LOLER?
LOLER Regulation 10 requires that thorough examination reports are kept and that the safe working load is marked on lifting equipment. The examination report must be handed to the dutyholder immediately after the examination and retained for a minimum period: 2 years for most lifting equipment, until the equipment ceases to be used for equipment used for lifting persons. Defects posing an imminent danger of serious personal injury must be reported immediately to the relevant authority and the dutyholder.
Primary sources
Kael Tripton Ltd is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office under registration number ZC135439.
