Equipment Types5 min read

LOLER MEWP Inspection Requirements — Scissor Lifts, Boom Lifts and Cherry Pickers

MEWPs carry people — which means 6-month examination under LOLER. Here's what's required, what gets examined, and the hire company vs hirer duty split.

By Lolerflow Team |  LOLER Compliance Specialists

MEWPs and LOLER — the Key Point

MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) fall under LOLER because they are used to lift persons. The 6-month examination interval — which applies to all equipment used for lifting people — means MEWP fleets require twice the examination frequency of most other lifting equipment. For companies with large MEWP fleets, this creates a significant ongoing compliance overhead.

MEWP Types and Their Examination Intervals

MEWP typeIntervalNotes
Scissor lift (self-propelled)6 monthsPlatform carries persons — 6-month rule applies regardless of working height
Boom lift / cherry picker6 monthsArticulating and telescopic boom platforms — person-carrying, 6 months
Tracked MEWP6 monthsRough terrain MEWPs — same 6-month requirement
Vehicle-mounted platform6 monthsLorry-mounted platforms, van-mounted insulated platforms — 6 months
Push-around platform (PAP)6 monthsNon-powered push-around platforms — if used to lift persons, 6-month rule applies
Mast climber6 monthsAny mast-climbing platform that carries workers — 6 months

Hire Company vs Hirer — Who Is Responsible?

Hire company duties
→Provide current LOLER examination report with machine
→Ensure machine has been examined before dispatch
→If hire extends past next examination due date, arrange re-examination
→Keep own records of all examinations on their fleet
Hirer (dutyholder) duties
→Check the examination report is current before use
→Do not use a MEWP without a valid LOLER report
→Arrange re-examination if the report lapses during hire
→Keep a copy of the report during the hire period

What Gets Examined on a MEWP

Platform and guardrails
Floor integrity, gate/chain, toeboard, load capacity markings
Boom / scissors structure
Cracks, deformation, welds, pivot pins and bearings
Hydraulic system
Cylinders, hoses, valves — leaks, function, lowering safety valve
Outriggers / stabilisers
Condition, deployment, locking mechanism, pad condition
Drive system
Where self-propelled — brakes, drive motors, emergency lowering
Safety systems
Tilt alarm, overload indicator, emergency stop, lanyard anchor points
Tyres / tracks
Wear, pressure, damage — load-bearing condition
Controls
Platform controls, ground controls, proportional valves, dead-man switch

Track your entire MEWP fleet on 6-month cycles

Lolerflow tracks every MEWP, fires alerts 4 weeks before each examination, and generates compliant reports automatically. 30-day free trial.

Start free trial →
How often must MEWPs be inspected under LOLER?+
MEWPs used to lift persons must be thoroughly examined every 6 months under LOLER 1998. This includes cherry pickers, scissor lifts, boom lifts, and any other mobile elevating work platform where the working platform carries people.
Does LOLER apply to MEWPs on hire?+
Yes — and both the hire company and the hirer have duties. The hire company should provide a current LOLER examination report with the machine. The hirer (as the dutyholder in operational control) must ensure the report is current before putting the MEWP into service, and must arrange re-examination if the report lapses during the hire period.
What is IPAF and is it required for LOLER compliance?+
IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) provides operator training qualifications for MEWPs — not LOLER examination accreditation. IPAF training is for the people who operate MEWPs. LOLER examination accreditation (e.g. IPAF's MEWP Examiner scheme) is separate and for the competent person carrying out thorough examinations.
→ LOLER Passenger Lift Inspection Requirements→ LOLER Inspection Frequency Guide→ LOLER Compliance Guide