Industry Sectors5 min read

LOLER Compliance for Construction Companies in the UK

Construction is one of the highest-risk sectors for LOLER enforcement. Here are the specific requirements — examination intervals, multi-contractor duties, and the equipment most likely to trigger an HSE inspection.

By Lolerflow Team |  LOLER Compliance Specialists

Why Construction Has a Higher LOLER Risk Profile

Construction sites concentrate multiple types of lifting equipment, multiple employers, rapidly changing configurations, and high-consequence loads in close proximity to workers. The HSE's fatality statistics consistently show lifting equipment failures as a leading cause of workplace deaths in construction — which means LOLER inspections on construction sites receive closer scrutiny than in most other sectors.

Construction Equipment — Intervals at a Glance

EquipmentIntervalNotes
Tower crane12 months + post-erectionRe-examination required after each erection on a new site
Mobile crane12 months + post-erectionAlso re-examined after exceptional circumstances (overload, collision)
Construction hoist (goods & persons)6 monthsPerson-carrying — 6-month rule. Goods-only hoists: 12 months
MEWP (scissor lift, boom lift)6 monthsCarries persons — 6-month interval regardless of frequency of use
Telehandler (used for lifting)12 monthsWhen used to lift loads; attachments (forks, buckets) examined separately at 6 months if classified as lifting accessories
Lifting slings, chains, shackles6 monthsAll lifting accessories — 6 months regardless of the equipment they're used with
Gin wheel / rope block6 monthsLifting accessory — 6-month rule
Excavator (used for lifting)12 monthsWhen used as a crane under a lifting plan — LOLER applies to the lifting operation

Multi-Contractor Sites — Who Is Responsible?

On a multi-contractor construction site, LOLER duties fall on every employer who controls lifting equipment. The principal contractor cannot discharge liability by requiring subcontractors to self-certify. In practice:

→The principal contractor should establish a site lifting plan that coordinates all lifting operations
→Each contractor is responsible for the thorough examination records for their own equipment
→Where equipment is hired in, the hirer must obtain and check the LOLER report before first use
→The principal contractor should audit subcontractor examination records as part of site compliance checks
→If plant is shared between contractors, written agreement on who holds the dutyholder responsibility is essential

The Excavator Used as a Crane Problem

When an excavator is used to lift and place a load (a common construction practice), it becomes lifting equipment under LOLER for that operation. The LOLER duty applies to the specific lifting operation, not just the machine classification. This means a lifting plan must be in place, the operation must be supervised, and if the machine is to be used regularly for lifting, it requires thorough examination under LOLER. Many construction companies miss this point entirely.

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Does LOLER apply to construction sites?+
Yes. LOLER 1998 applies to all lifting equipment used at work, including all construction sites. Tower cranes, mobile cranes, hoists, MEWPs, slings, shackles, gin wheels, and any other equipment used to lift loads or persons on a construction site falls within scope.
Who is responsible for LOLER compliance on a multi-contractor construction site?+
Every employer (or self-employed person) who has control of lifting equipment is a dutyholder under LOLER. On a principal contractor-managed site, the principal contractor has overall management responsibility — but each subcontractor is also responsible for the equipment under their control. Contractual arrangements do not override statutory duties.
How often must a tower crane be examined under LOLER?+
Every 12 months, plus a thorough examination after every erection on a new site. The 12-month clock restarts from the date of each post-erection examination. Lifting accessories used with the tower crane (slings, hooks) require 6-monthly examination.
→ LOLER Crane Inspection Requirements→ LOLER MEWP Inspection Requirements→ LOLER Compliance Guide