Statutory Inspections · Mandatory · Construction

LOLER Thorough Examination Report

The legally required thorough examination report for all lifting equipment and accessories under LOLER 1998. Must contain the 11 mandatory items specified in Schedule 1. Lifting accessories require 6-monthly examination; people-lifting equipment 6-monthly; all other lifting equipment 12-monthly. Immediate danger defects must be reported to HSE. Equipment with an overdue examination must not be used.

Last reviewed: 2 April 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. LOLER 1998 Reg 9 + Schedule 1 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 2 April 2026. Next scheduled review: 2 April 2027.

Legal basis	Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER 1998), Regulation 9 and Schedule 1
Examination intervals	Lifting accessories: every 6 months. Equipment used for lifting persons: every 6 months. All other lifting equipment: every 12 months — unless a competent person specifies a shorter interval in the examination scheme
Schedule 1	The thorough examination report must contain all 11 mandatory items listed in Schedule 1 of LOLER 1998. Omission of any item renders the report non-compliant.
Key fact	If a thorough examination is overdue, the lifting equipment must not be used until a valid examination has been carried out and the report confirms the equipment is safe to continue in service.

1. What Is a LOLER Thorough Examination?

A LOLER thorough examination is a detailed, systematic inspection of lifting equipment carried out by a competent person to detect defects, damage, or deterioration that could result in a dangerous failure. It is fundamentally different from a routine pre-use check or planned maintenance inspection — it is a statutory examination required by law, and the findings must be formally recorded in a written report that complies with Schedule 1 of LOLER 1998.

The thorough examination covers the structural integrity, mechanical components, safety devices, markings, and safe working load of the equipment. For lifting accessories such as slings, shackles, and eyebolts, the examination must verify that there is no visible wear, distortion, corrosion, or cracking that could compromise the load-bearing capacity. For complex equipment such as cranes, hoists, and mobile elevating work platforms, the examination extends to wire ropes, brakes, limit switches, overload protection devices, and structural connections.

Regulation 9 of LOLER 1998 requires that lifting equipment is not used unless it has been thoroughly examined either before being put into service for the first time, or after installation at a new site or location, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding those prescribed by the Regulations or specified in a written scheme of examination drawn up by a competent person. Failure to carry out thorough examinations on time is a criminal offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Overdue equipment must not be used

If the thorough examination interval has expired and no valid report is in place, the lifting equipment must be taken out of service immediately. Continued use of unexamined lifting equipment exposes workers to the risk of catastrophic failure and exposes the duty holder to criminal prosecution under LOLER 1998 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

2. Key Components

The following table sets out the mandatory items that must be included in a LOLER thorough examination report in accordance with Schedule 1 of LOLER 1998. Each item is a legal requirement — omission of any item renders the report non-compliant.

Component	Detail
Employer details	Name and address of the employer or self-employed person responsible for the lifting equipment — this identifies the duty holder who has legal responsibility for ensuring thorough examinations are carried out
Premises	Address and precise location where the lifting equipment is installed or in use — essential for enforcement purposes and for tracking equipment across multiple sites
Equipment description	Full description of the lifting equipment including type, manufacturer, model, serial number, safe working load (SWL), and any distinguishing identification marks or asset numbers
Examination basis	Whether the examination was carried out under Regulation 9(1) (before first use), Regulation 9(2) (after installation), or Regulation 9(3) (periodic examination) — and whether it was conducted in accordance with a written scheme of examination
Date of examination	The date on which the thorough examination was carried out — this date determines the start of the next examination interval
Findings	A detailed record of the condition of the equipment, including any defects, wear, damage, or deterioration found during the examination — the competent person must describe the nature and severity of each finding
Defects found	Identification of any defect that is or could become a danger to persons — categorised as either an existing danger (requiring immediate action) or a defect that could become dangerous unless remedied (requiring action within a specified timescale)
Tests carried out	Details of any functional tests, load tests, or non-destructive testing performed as part of the examination — including test loads applied and results obtained
Next examination due	The latest date by which the next thorough examination must be carried out — the competent person sets this date based on the condition, usage, and environment of the equipment
Competent person	Name, qualifications, and employing organisation of the competent person who carried out the thorough examination — must be independent of the person responsible for maintaining the equipment
Enforcing authority copy	Where an existing danger is identified, the competent person must send a copy of the report to the relevant enforcing authority (HSE or local authority) as soon as practicable — this is a mandatory reporting obligation under LOLER 1998 Regulation 11

3. Common Mistakes

Applying 12-monthly intervals to lifting accessories

Lifting accessories — slings, shackles, eyebolts, chain slings, webbing slings, and similar items — must be thoroughly examined at intervals not exceeding 6 months, not 12 months. This is one of the most common errors on construction sites. The 12-monthly interval applies only to other lifting equipment that is not a lifting accessory and is not used for lifting persons. Applying the wrong interval means the equipment is being used unlawfully, and any failure during the gap period exposes the duty holder to prosecution.

Same person carrying out maintenance and thorough examination

The competent person who carries out the thorough examination must be sufficiently independent of the person responsible for maintaining the equipment. Using the same individual or the same team for both maintenance and thorough examination creates a conflict of interest and undermines the purpose of the examination. The thorough examination is intended to be an independent check on the condition of the equipment, including the quality of maintenance. Many duty holders on construction sites use their own fitter for both tasks — this does not satisfy the independence requirement.

Not reporting immediate danger defects to the enforcing authority

Where a competent person identifies a defect that constitutes an existing danger to persons, they must send a copy of the report to the relevant enforcing authority (HSE or local authority) as soon as practicable. This obligation falls on the competent person, not the duty holder — but the duty holder must ensure that the competent person is aware of this obligation and that the reporting process is in place. Failure to report existing dangers is a separate offence under LOLER 1998 Regulation 11.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Does LOLER apply to excavators used on construction sites?▾

LOLER applies to excavators only when they are being used as lifting equipment — that is, when they are fitted with lifting accessories such as a hook, sling, or lifting magnet and are used to lift and lower loads. An excavator performing standard digging or earthmoving operations is not lifting equipment under LOLER. However, when an excavator is rigged for lifting, it must have a current thorough examination report, the lifting operation must be planned by a competent person, and the safe working load for the lifting configuration must be known and not exceeded. Many construction sites use excavators for ad hoc lifting without recognising that this brings the machine within the scope of LOLER 1998.

What is the difference between a thorough examination and a service or maintenance inspection?▾

A thorough examination is a statutory inspection required by LOLER 1998, carried out by a competent person who is sufficiently independent of the maintenance function. It is a legal requirement, and the report must comply with Schedule 1. A service or maintenance inspection is a routine check carried out as part of the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. Maintenance keeps equipment in good working order; the thorough examination independently verifies that the equipment is safe to continue in service. Both are required — one does not replace the other.

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