Every MEWP that carries persons is examined every 6 months. No exceptions.
MEWP LOLER compliance is the responsibility of the duty holder. That is typically the owner or hirer of the access platform, not the operator. The duty holder must ensure a current Schedule 1 examination report exists before the MEWP is put to work. If it does not, the machine must not be used.
If you operate MEWPs, the compliance pressure is twice that of most other lifting equipment. Under LOLER 1998, any equipment used to lift persons must be thoroughly examined every 6 months under the LOLER thorough examination requirements. Every MEWP carries persons. So every MEWP is on a 6-month cycle. For companies with large fleets, that adds up quickly and must be planned, not improvised.
How often does each type of MEWP need to be examined?
| MEWP type | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scissor lift (self-propelled) | 6 months | Platform carries persons. The 6-month rule applies regardless of working height. |
| Boom lift / cherry picker | 6 months | Articulating and telescopic boom platforms. Person-carrying. 6 months applies. |
| Tracked MEWP | 6 months | Rough terrain MEWPs carry the same 6-month examination requirement. |
| Vehicle-mounted platform | 6 months | Lorry-mounted platforms, van-mounted insulated platforms. 6 months. |
| Push-around platform (PAP) | 6 months | Non-powered push-around platforms used to lift persons fall within the 6-month rule. |
| Mast climber | 6 months | Any mast-climbing platform that carries workers requires 6-monthly examination. |
What a MEWP thorough examination actually covers
A MEWP examination covers the entire machine, not just the platform or the lifting mechanism. The HSE thorough examination guidance sets out the minimum scope. A competent person will inspect and test:
Hiring a MEWP? The compliance duty does not go away.
Both are legally required and serve entirely different purposes. An IPAF PAL card certifies the operator. A LOLER thorough examination certifies the machine. An IPAF-trained operator working on a MEWP without a current LOLER report is still non-compliant.
An IPAF card and a LOLER report are not the same thing
Two separate requirements apply to MEWPs and they are frequently confused. The LOLER thorough examination certifies the machine. IPAF operator training certifies the person. Neither substitutes for the other. Both are required. Failing either puts you in breach of health and safety law.
The LOLER examination is a statutory inspection by a competent person with equipment examination qualifications. It results in a Schedule 1 report. An IPAF PAL card is an operator competency certificate. An IPAF-trained operator on a MEWP without a current LOLER report is still working on an uncertified machine.
Managing LOLER records across a hire fleet
MEWP hire companies carry specific LOLER obligations. A MEWP must be examined before being hired out if no valid LOLER examination report exists. The current report must accompany the machine. The hirer, as the duty holder in operational control, must check it before putting the MEWP to work.
When a hire extends past the next examination due date, it is the hire company's responsibility to arrange re-examination. The hire agreement should address this. The hirer cannot continue using the machine after the due date has passed simply because the hire company has not arranged access. Across a large fleet, this requires systematic examination scheduling with automated reminders, not a spreadsheet checked occasionally.