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MEWP thorough examinations, done on a phone
Cherry pickers, scissor lifts and boom lifts lift people, so they are on a 6 month cycle. LolerFlow runs the examination, issues the LOLER report on site and tells you which machine is due next.
A MEWP (mobile elevating work platform) lifts people, so under LOLER 1998 it needs a thorough examination by a competent person at least every 6 months, unless a written scheme of examination says otherwise. LolerFlow has a MEWP examination template following BS EN 280, produces the Schedule 1 report and tracks the next due date for every machine. A MEWP also falls under PUWER for maintenance and pre-use checks, and LolerFlow records both on the same machine.
Last updated October 2026 · Written by the LolerFlow Editorial Team · Facts checked against HSE and legislation.gov.uk
What the law says about MEWPs
| Check | Who | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-use check | The operator | Before every use |
| LOLER thorough examination | A competent person | At least every 6 months, or as a written scheme sets |
| After damage or major repair | A competent person | Before it is used again |
| PUWER maintenance and inspection | The owner or hire company | As the manufacturer and risk assessment say |
- LOLER 1998, Regulation 9(3), legislation.gov.uk
- HSE: Lifting equipment used for lifting people at work, hse.gov.uk
- BS EN 280: Mobile elevating work platforms, design and testing
What the MEWP examination covers
What changes for your MEWP fleet
MEWP inspection questions
How often does a MEWP need a thorough examination?
At least every 6 months, because a MEWP lifts people. A written scheme of examination drawn up by a competent person can set a different interval. A MEWP also needs examining after anything that could affect its safety, such as damage or major repair.
What is checked in a MEWP thorough examination?
Typically the platform and guardrails, the boom or scissor structure and its pins, hydraulics, emergency lowering, controls and emergency stops, overload and tilt alarms, and tyres or outriggers. The competent person decides whether a load test is needed.
Is a daily pre-use check the same as a thorough examination?
No. Operators check the MEWP before each use. The 6 monthly thorough examination is a separate, more detailed examination by a competent person, with a written report.
Does a MEWP also fall under PUWER?
Yes. LOLER covers the thorough examination because it lifts people, and PUWER covers maintenance and inspection of the machine. LolerFlow records both against the same machine.
Can hire customers get the MEWP certificate on site?
Yes. You can download or send the current certificate for any MEWP from LolerFlow in seconds, so it never gets turned away at the gate.
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