By Lolerflow Team | LOLER Compliance Specialists
The Legal Basis
Regulation 9 of LOLER 1998 requires that lifting equipment be thoroughly examined before being put into service for the first time (unless accompanied by a declaration of conformity less than 12 months old), after installation or assembly at a new location, and at regular intervals thereafter. This is not optional, and it is not satisfied by routine maintenance.
The thorough examination must be carried out by a competent person — someone with sufficient practical and theoretical knowledge and experience to detect defects and assess their significance. The results must be recorded in a written report meeting the requirements of Schedule 1 to the Regulations.
What Does "Thorough" Actually Mean?
The word "thorough" has a specific meaning in the LOLER context. A thorough examination is a systematic and detailed examination of every safety-critical part of the equipment — not just a visual check, and not just a test of whether it operates. It must include:
Physical inspection
Examination of all components including structural members, connections, hooks, chains, ropes, sheaves, brakes, and controls for signs of wear, damage, corrosion, deformation, or deterioration.
Safe Working Load verification
Confirmation that the equipment is marked with its SWL and that the SWL is still appropriate given the equipment's condition.
Functional testing
Where appropriate, testing of safe load indicators, overload protection devices, limit switches, and emergency stop functions.
Assessment of installation
For fixed equipment, examination of the installation itself — foundations, anchorages, overhead rail systems, and similar.
Defect classification
Any defects found must be classified (immediate danger, future danger, or observation) and reported in the written examination report.
Thorough Examination vs Routine Inspection vs Maintenance
| Activity | Purpose | Who does it | Legal basis |
|---|
| Thorough examination | Safety assessment at statutory intervals | Competent person (independent) | LOLER Reg. 9 |
| Pre-use inspection | Daily check before use | Operator / user | LOLER Reg. 9(3)(d) |
| Routine maintenance | Keep in working order | Maintenance technician | PUWER Reg. 5 |
| Post-incident inspection | After exceptional circumstances | Competent person | LOLER Reg. 9(1)(c) |
When Must a Thorough Examination Be Carried Out?
Regulation 9 specifies four trigger points:
1
Before first use
Before lifting equipment is put into service for the first time, unless the employer has obtained a declaration of conformity made not more than 12 months before the equipment is put into service, AND the equipment has not been assembled on site.
2
After assembly on site
Where safety depends on installation conditions — overhead cranes, rail-mounted hoists, building hoists — a thorough examination must be carried out each time it is assembled or installed in a new location.
3
Periodic examination
6 months for lifting accessories and equipment used to lift persons. 12 months for all other lifting equipment. OR at intervals specified in a written examination scheme drawn up by a competent person.
4
After exceptional circumstances
After any event likely to have caused damage that could affect safety — for example, a collision, a dropped load, overloading, or following a repair to a safety-critical component.
What Happens After the Examination?
The competent person must produce a written report as soon as practicable after the examination. If a defect is found that is an existing or imminent risk of serious personal injury (Category A), the competent person must send a copy of the report to the relevant enforcing authority (HSE or local authority) as well as to the dutyholder. The dutyholder must not continue using the equipment until the defect is rectified.
If defects are found that are not immediately dangerous but need attention within a specified period (Category B), the report must state the timescale. The dutyholder is responsible for ensuring the repair is completed within that timescale.
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Start free trial →What is a LOLER thorough examination?+
A LOLER thorough examination is a detailed inspection of lifting equipment by a competent person, carried out at specified intervals under Regulation 9 of LOLER 1998. It is more thorough than a routine maintenance check — it includes a physical examination of every safety-critical component, assessment against the safe working load, and a written report of findings.
Is a LOLER thorough examination the same as a service?+
No. A service focuses on maintaining the equipment in working order. A thorough examination is a safety assessment carried out by a competent person who is sufficiently independent to make an objective judgement. The same person can do both, but they are distinct activities with different legal requirements.
How often is a LOLER thorough examination required?+
Lifting accessories (chains, slings, shackles) and equipment used to lift people must be examined every 6 months. All other lifting equipment must be examined every 12 months, unless an examination scheme specifies different intervals.