Lifting Equipment Inspections
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Lifting Equipment Inspections & LOLER Compliance Services UK
We provide professional lifting equipment inspections across the UK, helping businesses stay compliant with LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations).
Our certified engineers carry out thorough examinations, safety inspections, and non-destructive testing (NDT) on all types of lifting equipment to ensure it remains safe, compliant, and fully operational.
What is a LOLER Inspection?
A LOLER inspection is a legally required thorough examination of lifting equipment to ensure it is safe for continued use.
Under UK regulations, inspections are required:
- Before first use (where applicable)
- Every 6 months for lifting accessories and equipment lifting people
- Every 12 months for general lifting equipment
- After significant repair or modification
These inspections help identify:
- Structural wear or deformation
- Corrosion or fatigue
- Missing certification or markings
- Mechanical or functional defects
Types of Inspections
We inspect a wide range of lifting, handling, and safety equipment:
- Thorough Examination under LOLER – Scheduled checks to verify safe operation and compliance.
- Visual and Functional Checks – Assessing wear, corrosion, deformation, and correct function.
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) – Magnetic particle, dye penetrant, ultrasonic, and eddy current methods for detecting cracks and defects.
- Load Testing Integration – Combining inspection with proof load testing where required.
- Periodic and Pre-Use Inspections – Ensuring equipment is safe before and during service.
Inspection Reports & Certification
Every inspection includes:
- Full digital inspection certificate
- Asset-level reporting
- Photographic evidence
- Compliance status (pass/fail/repair required)
- Recommended inspection intervals
Our reporting ensures you remain audit-ready at all times.
Why Regular Inspections Are Essential
Regular lifting equipment inspections are not only a legal requirement but a critical part of workplace safety.
They help you:
- Prevent equipment failure and downtime
- Reduce workplace accidents and liability
- Maintain compliance with HSE regulations
- Extend equipment lifespan
- Ensure safe lifting operations
Industries We Work With
We support a wide range of sectors, including:
- Construction
- Oil & gas
- Marine & offshore
- Manufacturing
- Utilities
- Logistics & warehousing
UK-Wide On-Site Inspection Services
Our engineers operate across the UK, providing on-site inspections to minimise downtime and keep your operations running safely and efficiently.
We also offer:
- Scheduled inspection programmes
- Multi-site compliance management
- Emergency inspection services
- Asset tracking support
Why Choose Us?
Whether you need a one-off thorough examination, ongoing inspection programmes, or integrated inspection and testing, Lifting Gear and Safety delivers safe, efficient services that keep your operations compliant and confident.
Clarifying UK Regulations for Lifting Equipment Inspections
In the UK, lifting equipment inspections are governed primarily by two sets of regulations: LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998). Both aim to ensure workplace safety, but they cover different aspects of equipment use.
LOLER applies specifically to lifting equipment and lifting operations. It requires that all lifting equipment is strong, stable, and fit for purpose, and that lifting activities are properly planned and supervised. Under LOLER, lifting equipment must undergo thorough examinations by a competent person at prescribed intervals:
- Before first use (especially for new or modified equipment)
- Every six months for equipment used to lift people
- Every twelve months for other lifting equipment
- After any significant repair or modification
These examinations check structural integrity, safe working load markings, and correct installation. Detailed records of inspections must be kept and made available for audits or regulatory checks. LOLER also mandates that lifting operations are risk-assessed, supervised, and carried out safely, with clear method statements and competent personnel.
PUWER, on the other hand, applies to all work equipment, including lifting equipment. It focuses on ensuring that equipment is suitable for its intended use, maintained in a safe condition, and operated by trained personnel. PUWER requires regular maintenance, safety checks, and risk assessments for all workplace equipment. While LOLER dictates when lifting equipment must be examined, PUWER ensures that it remains safe and functional during daily use.
Together, LOLER and PUWER create a comprehensive framework: LOLER covers lifting-specific risks and inspection schedules, while PUWER ensures ongoing equipment safety and operator competence. Compliance with both is essential for legal and operational safety.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Our inspections include a thorough examination of lifting equipment and accessories to identify wear, damage, corrosion, deformation, missing safety components, and other defects that could affect safe operation. Equipment is inspected in line with LOLER and PUWER requirements, and certification is provided upon completion
Inspection frequency depends on the type of equipment and how it is used. Under LOLER regulations:
- Lifting accessories are typically inspected every 6 months
- Lifting equipment is generally inspected every 12 months
- More frequent inspections may be required for harsh environments or high-use applications
Yes. Our engineers can carry out inspections at your site to minimise disruption and downtime. We also offer workshop-based inspections for equipment requiring more detailed assessment or repair work.
If equipment fails inspection, we provide a detailed defect report outlining the issues identified and whether the equipment should be repaired, removed from service, or replaced. Where possible, we can also advise on repair solutions and corrective actions.
Some of the most common failures we identify include:
- Excessive corrosion or rust
- Damaged or frayed wire ropes
- Cracked welds or structural fatigue
- Hook deformation or stretched hook throats
- Missing or damaged safety catches
- Worn chains and lifting slings
- Oil leaks or damaged hoist components
- Missing identification tags or certification markings
- Unauthorised modifications or repairs
Regular inspections help identify these issues before they become serious safety risks.
Yes. Upon successful completion of inspection, we provide LOLER thorough examination reports and certification for your records and compliance requirements.
We inspect a wide range of lifting equipment including:
- Chain blocks and hoists
- Electric hoists
- Overhead cranes
- Gantry cranes
- Wire rope assemblies
- Shackles and lifting accessories
- Slings and lifting beams
- Winches and material handling equipment
Inspection times vary depending on the quantity and type of equipment being examined. Small inspections may take less than an hour, while larger site inspections or crane examinations can take significantly longer.
LOLER inspections help ensure lifting equipment remains safe to use, legally compliant, and fit for operation. Regular inspections reduce the risk of accidents, equipment failure, costly downtime, and potential enforcement action.
In many cases, yes. Following inspection, we can advise whether equipment is suitable for repair, refurbishment, re-testing, or replacement depending on the severity of the defects found.
