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LOLER and PUWER software for manufacturing and engineering sites
Overhead cranes, hoists, power presses and machine tools each follow different rules. LolerFlow keeps every examination, inspection and due date for every factory in one register.
Factories fall under two sets of rules. LOLER 1998 covers lifting equipment such as overhead cranes, hoists and lifting accessories, with thorough examinations at set intervals. PUWER 1998 covers all work equipment, including the cranes and hoists themselves, with inspections at intervals set by risk and fixed intervals for power presses. LolerFlow records both in the same register, site by site.
Last updated October 2026 · Written by the LolerFlow Editorial Team · Facts checked against HSE and legislation.gov.uk
Which rules apply on a factory floor?
Lifting equipment has fixed LOLER intervals. Most other machinery is inspected at intervals you set by risk under PUWER. Power presses are the one exception, with fixed PUWER intervals of their own.
| Equipment | Rule | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Overhead and gantry cranes, hoists | LOLER and PUWER | 12 months |
| Runway beams | LOLER | 12 months |
| Slings, chains, shackles, lifting beams | LOLER (lifting accessories) | 6 months |
| Forklifts lifting goods | LOLER and PUWER | 12 months |
| Power presses, fixed guards only | PUWER Part IV | 12 months |
| Power presses, other guards | PUWER Part IV | 6 months, plus guards tested in the first 4 hours of each working period |
| Machine tools, saws, guillotines, conveyors | PUWER Regulation 6 | Set by risk, often 6 or 12 months |
These are the standard legal intervals. A written scheme of examination can set different LOLER intervals, and LolerFlow follows whichever applies.
- LOLER 1998, Regulation 9, legislation.gov.uk
- PUWER 1998, Regulation 6 and Part IV (power presses), legislation.gov.uk
- HSE L22: Safe use of work equipment, and L113: Safe use of lifting equipment
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What changes on your factory floor
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Questions from manufacturing and engineering
How often does an overhead crane need a LOLER thorough examination?
At least every 12 months if it lifts goods only, unless a written scheme of examination sets a different interval. The slings, chains and shackles used with it are lifting accessories, so they need examining at least every 6 months.
How often do power presses need a thorough examination?
Under PUWER Part IV, at least every 12 months if the press has only fixed guards, and at least every 6 months otherwise. The guards must also be inspected and tested within the first 4 hours of every working period, and the result recorded.
Do machine tools need a PUWER inspection?
Yes, where wear or damage could make them dangerous. PUWER Regulation 6 says the inspection intervals are set by risk, and the result of every inspection must be recorded and kept until the next one.
Can our own maintenance team do the inspections?
Yes, for PUWER inspections, as long as they are competent for the equipment. LOLER thorough examinations must be done by a competent person who is independent enough to make an objective judgement, which is often an outside inspection company.
Can our inspection company and our own team use the same records?
Yes. Your inspection company records thorough examinations, your maintenance team records PUWER inspections and daily checks, and everyone sees the same register for each site.
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