If your organisation uses lifting equipment in your operations, then meeting health and safety regulations is essential. Not only to protect your staff and operate a safe workplace, but also to comply with regulations. According to the HES, LOLER – Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 – states that “all equipment used for lifting is fit for purpose appropriate for the task, suitably marked, an in many cases, subject to statutory period ‘thorough examination’.

So, a LOLER inspection or LOLER examination is a comprehensive examination of lifting equipment carried out by a qualified and independent third-party organisation with the purpose to ensure the highest levels of safety and protection for your staff.

Why is a LOLER inspection important?

Health and safety isn’t merely a tick in a compliance box, it saves lives. Consider that according to the HSE, 135 workers were killed in work related injuries in 2022/23, while employers reported nearly 61,000 non-fatal work-related injuries in the same time period. Looking at the economic picture, 3.7 million working days were lost to non-fatal injuries in the workplace, while the country spends £7.7 billion annually as a result of workplace injuries.

Taking that down a level, and looking specifically at lifting, each time something or someone is lifted and lowered there is a potential risk from mechanical failure, collapse of equipment or components, and the operator or user falling or being struck. The outcome of such scenarios can be tragic, and every school, college or university has a duty of care to students, staff and visitors to ensure equipment is safe to be used.

Ensuring that the equipment is in good working order with regular inspections means that you can keep your workforce safe, while optimising the performance and longevity of the lifting equipment itself.

But how often is “regular”?

When to get a LOLER inspection

According to regulations, the frequency of inspection depends on the type of equipment used, installation, levels of usage, historical factors, and storage conditions.

In practice, this means lifting equipment should be examined throughout its lifetime, including:

• Before you use it for the first time – unless the equipment has a Declaration of Conformity that is less than a year old and the equipment was not assembled on site. If it was assembled on site, then it must be examined by a competent person to verify that construction was carried out correctly and safely.
• After it has been assembled – if equipment (for example a tower crane) needs to be assembled each time before it’s used.
• Regularly when it is in service – every six months. All lifting equipment is subject to wear and tear, but regular checks need to take place if the equipment is exposed to instances, such as environmental conditions, that cause deterioration.
• Following exceptional circumstances – a LOLER inspection is needed if the equipment has been damaged, dormant for a long period, or if the equipment has been modified, significantly repaired or parts have been replaced.

In addition, the HSE recommends checking and maintaining lifting equipment between inspections, including daily, weekly, quarterly or pre-use checks.

According to LOLER, the periods between routine thorough examinations should be every:

• 6 months for lifting equipment and accessories that lift people.
• 6 months for lifting accessories.
• 12 months for all other lifting equipment.

What equipment does a LOLER inspection cover?

The term ‘lifting equipment’ is quite broad and doesn’t just apply to general equipment such as goods or passenger lifts. The following equipment requires a LOLER examination:

• Cranes
• Lift trucks
• Hoists
• Elevating access or work platforms
• Tractor front-end loaders
• Stair lifts
• Passenger/goods lifts
• Platform lifts
• Vehicle tail lifts
• Lifting accessories such as ropes, chains, sling shackles, and eye bolts
• Any attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting the equipment
• PPE equipment

What can you expect from your LOLER inspection?

The day of your examination has arrived. How do you prepare for the inspection and what does it include? LOLER calls for a “thorough examination” which is a complete check of the equipment and safety critical parts.

While LOLER inspections can differ according to which lifting equipment is examined, the following methods are used in line with industry standards:

• A visual and functional check.
• Measurement of wear.
• Traditional non-destructive testing (in certain instances) and load testing.
• Disassembly or internal examination of parts (in certain instances).

The thorough examination is carried out by a competent person – someone with the necessary practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the equipment, such as one of our HESL engineer surveyors – and is followed with a written report. The report must contain the date of the examination, the date of the next examination and any defects that were found. It also includes information such as:

• Serial number/s of lifting equipment inspected
• Manufacturer details
• Maximum safe load capacity (kg)
• Any other observations

How HESL can help

Hutcheon Examination Services (HESL) is ISO9001 certified and has a wealth of experience in completing statutory examinations and proof lead testing for mechanical equipment across a host of industry sectors in the UK, including healthcare and education. We have built our strong reputation of trust, accuracy and reliability over the last 30 years.

Our team of engineer surveyors are fully qualified (EngTech, IEng) to carry out LOLER inspections and have the right experience and expertise to help your organisation.

Our customers benefit from:

• Flexible and convenient inspection visits that minimise disruption.
• Thorough and effective inspections that put quality and compliance first.
• Support with the whole end-to-end examination process, from handy renewal reminders and comprehensive reports.

In addition, we have a central planning department to make things simpler and more streamlined for our customers. From booking in your first inspection at a time and date that suits your organisation, to following up via phone and email to remind you when your next inspection is due, we are always available, always contactable, and always ready to help.

Let us take the pain out of your LOLER inspections – contact us today to discuss how we can help.

Overview

Gillette has a heritage that goes all the way back to 1901 when razor blade pioneer King C Gillette developed the first safety razor blade. Fast forward 123 years and the brand is world-famous and synonymous with precision, innovation and sport. It is owned by P&G and is headquartered manufactured in the UK, in Reading.

Alongside finance, administration and marketing, all engineering, manufacturing and production takes place at this site. A key part of the brand’s success is ensuring operations are streamlined, efficient and safe – with worker safety a priority.

Compliance achieved

This is where Hutcheon Examination Services (HESL) enters the picture. Gillette’s manufacturing and distribution centre operates a host of equipment from gantry systems and big bag lifting frames, to a fleet of electric pallet trucks and pneumatic stacker trucks.

To make sure safety standards are met and staff are protected while performing their duties, our expert HESL Engineer Surveyors carry out six-monthly inspections across the entire estate of equipment.

This is how we help Gillette

• LOLER examinations – our qualified engineer surveyors examine Gillette’s lifting equipment, including the fleet of pneumatic stacker trucks and mobile lifting platforms. In accordance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), we make sure the equipment is fit for purpose and performing as it should.
• PUWER examinations – the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) govern the safety of all machinery and equipment operated within a workplace. For Gillette, our qualified engineers surveyors examine and test the host of equipment on its Reading site, including its fleet of electric pallet trucks – all to ensure they are safe for continued operation.
• Load testing – this area of examination covers all load bearing equipment and making sure it is capable of handling the needed load safely and securely. At the Gillette site, this includes our experienced team examining equipment such as the gantry systems and manual chain blocks.

Health and safety: the process made easy

Not only is our team highly qualified and experienced in delivering the relevant tests and examinations, from LOLER and PUWER, to load testing, we also provide an efficient service that takes the pain out of compliance and testing. This includes our central planning department that liaises with customers like Gillette from the first stage of booking an inspection through to sending reminders, booking follow-ups and being available whenever needed.

Overview

Herman Miller designs and manufactures high-end furniture, accessories and lighting for workspaces. The company began in the US in 1905 as the Michigan Star Furniture Company before being bought in 1923 by DJ De Pree and his father-in-law Herman Miller, who lent his name to the company from then on. The company made a name for itself by designing and manufacturing modern furniture and hiring designers who created many products that are now considered classic pieces.

Over 100 years later, Herman Miller is known for innovation, contemporary interior furnishings, ergonomic office chairs and elegant desks.

In the UK, Herman Miller's headquarters is based at PortalMill, a state-of-the-art facility in Melksham, Wiltshire. From here, all manufacturing and central business functions for the European region, including production and assembly of its market-leading office furniture, take place.

With such an extensive operation on site that includes a host of machinery and industrial equipment, worker safety is crucial. This is where Hutcheon Examination Services (HESL) has partnered with the furniture manufacturer. HESL has an established reputation in the health and safety industry, offering a host of compliance, examination and testing services for industrial equipment and machinery.

Innovation design – safe manufacturing

The protection of workers and safe operation of equipment is business critical for an organisation like Herman Miller, which is why it relies on our HESL team of qualified engineering surveyors to carry our regular examinations on all its lifting equipment and other machinery.

This is how we help Herman Miller

• LOLER examinations – the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (1998) state that all lifting equipment must be regularly examined to make sure it is fit for purpose. Our expert engineer surveyors conduct these examinations on all Herman Miller’s lifting equipment, including its fleet of electric forklift trucks.
• PUWER examinations – the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) cover the safety of all workplace machinery and equipment. For our work with Herman Miller, this includes examining equipment such as manual pallet trucks and electric pedestrian-controlled pallet trucks to ensure optimum operation and safety onsite.
• Load testing – we also work with Herman Miller to examine and test all load bearing equipment to make sure it complies with safety regulations and can support the weight needed, all with the aim of ensuring protected workers and safe operations.

Team work delivers streamlined services

We work with a wide range of companies and understand the importance they place on worker and equipment safety. Our expert team of fully qualified engineers is supported by a customer team – our central planning department – that makes the process of compliance a smooth one. The team is always on hand to answer questions, book inspections and make sure that customers like Herman Miller can focus on the business at hand while we take care of their examination and compliance requirements.

Overview

Polar Technology Management Group is an engineering business that delivers solutions to companies across automotive, motorsport, medical, aerospace, defence and energy markets. The group encompasses two brands – SST Technology and Lentus Composites– that operate out of its factory complex in Oxfordshire.

Polar Technology design, develop and manufacture products based on complex metallic tubular fabrications, polymer and ceramic composites, multi-axis machining and additive layer manufacturing. Specifically, Lentus Composites produces composite components and complex engineering assemblies where the composite elements are the enabling technology within the wider system; while SST Technology manufactures engineered precision fabrications and thermal management systems for high tech industries and harsh environments.

High-tech, precision production

Key to the brands’ success is precision and quality, with the teams relying on the efficacy of their production equipment and machinery. At Hutcheon Examination Services (HESL), this is where we deliver value to our clients like Polar Technology – conducting safety inspections on all its lifting equipment and LEV systems.

This is how we help Polar Technology

• LOLER examinations – we regularly carry out LOLER examinations (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) on all Polar Technology’s lifting equipment.
• LEV examination (COSHH) – local exhaust ventilation systems (LEVs) that are used with hazardous substances must be thoroughly inspected on a regular basis to protect the health of workers in these environments – which is what we do for Polar Technology, carrying out extensive LEV testing onsite.

Worker safety; equipment compliance

Our team of expert engineer surveyors works with Polar Technology and its brands to ensure its manufacturing facility can continue to deliver high-quality products that are precision designed and produced. With a focus on worker safety, the group can rest assured all its lifting equipment is compliant with regulations and LEVs meet health regulations.

Overview

Video Screen Services (VSS) is a specialist provider of advanced LED screen and video solutions to the film, television and entertainment industry, across virtual production, television shows and concerts.

The expert team at VSS works closely with production, lighting and video designers, directors of photography and VFX specialists to deliver the best possible solutions to help them meet their production needs and realise their concepts. The company’s expertise extends across fixed installation applications and mobile staging environment.

On schedule with safety checks

The key ingredient for VSS – apart from the team’s expertise – is the use of its stable of equipment to support its quality services. In an industry where time is money and deadlines are vital, VSS’s priority is on ensuring its equipment adheres to the strictest safety standards and the staff who operate it are protected.

This is where Hutcheon Examination Services (HESL) and our team of qualified engineer surveyors help VSS. We provide a range of services – equipment and machinery examinations – to ensure all equipment is functioning as it should.

This is how we help VSS

• LOLER examinations – these examinations (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) make sure all equipment used in lifting is fit for purpose and meets safety regulations. For VSS, this includes alloy bow shackles and endless round slings.
• PUWER examinations – HESL conducts Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) examinations for VSS. These examinations aim to ensure the safety and equipment and machinery used within a workplace. For VSS this includes pallet trucks.

On track with professional services

In the entertainment industry, meeting production schedules is as important as producing quality content. For VSS, this means the safety of its equipment is crucial in helping them meet deadlines and deliver on customer expectations, which is why it relies on HESL.

We understand the importance of safety, of keeping customers happy and keeping projects on deadline. Our aim, to deliver safety inspections in a streamlined and efficient way; from our expert team of engineer surveyors and their use of a sophisticated scanning system on-site at VSS, to our professional support team that is always available.   

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) make it the statutory duty of employers and establishments who own, control and/or operate lifting equipment to have it inspected every 6 months by a competent person. Failure to comply can result in fines, legal action, accident and injury.

Lifting equipment used to lift people/patients, is included within the remit of LOLER tests, such as: mobile hoists, ceiling hoists, bath and pool hoists and lifts, hoist scales, slings, stairlifts, bed lifts, and standing aids.  

The Health and Safety Executive also states that lifting accessories related to person/patient lifting equipment must also be checked at the same time as the mechanised equipment itself.

Regular inspections check the condition, safety, strength, safe working load, stability, positioning and installation of lifting equipment that plays a vital role in the lives of people with health and mobility conditions or impairments.

If the lifting equipment is being used in a place of work such as care home or hospital, it might also be subject to work equipment regulations e.g. PUWER.

Experts in LOLER examinations for care homes, private properties and healthcare sites

Hutcheon Examination Services (HESL) specialises in statutory mechanical equipment examinations, including LOLER inspections for patient lifting equipment used in care homes, housing association accommodation, hospitals and other healthcare and community settings.

We understand and respect that the value of patient handling equipment extends far beyond its monetary worth. Users depend on it to be able to carry out routine tasks that are fundamental to their health, hygiene, safety and wellbeing.

That’s why we take a thoughtful approach to our compliance inspections process. Here’s how…

Convenient and hygienic inspection visits

Whether you’re the carer for someone who relies on lifting equipment, the responsible person within an organisation such as a housing association or healthcare trust, or you’re the user yourself – you may be concerned that the inspection will cause disruption.

Rest assured that the friendly Central Planning Department at HESL will liaise with you to find a time that causes the least disturbance to daily routine.

Engineer surveyors from HESL can work flexibly to suit your specific requirements, whatever they may be. For example, if you manage a care home or ward, we can inspect equipment in phases as patients are rotated between rooms so that equipment downtime per individual is reduced.

For users of lifting equipment living in their own homes, we can attend at their convenience. Their carer or a housing association representative (if applicable) can provide access to the property whilst the tenant is in or out, according to their preference.

Hygiene and safety measures such as pre-visit lateral flow tests for COVID-19, mask/PPE wearing, cleaning and sanitisation will always be followed as and when required.

Trusted engineer surveyors

All engineer surveyors working for HESL hold a recognised professional status (EngTech, IEng.) and they are fully qualified and equipped to inspect every type of lifting equipment.

As a company, HESL has over 30 years’ experience in LOLER testing and many of our engineer surveyors have worked with us for a number of years. They will present a photo ID card upon every visit to verify their identity, although many of our clients recognise them as a familiar face from previous visits because each engineer usually covers the same geographic region.

HESL is an ISO9001 certified mechanical equipment inspections company. We are independently audited for quality assurance, giving us credibility with our customers and peace of mind that our services meet the highest standards and expectations, from pre-use checks through to reporting.

Every engineer surveyor from HESL is DBS- checked, alleviating any concern over us visiting sites to inspect equipment used to lift patients or persons who are considered vulnerable. Depending on the scope of the work required, we may send more than one engineer at a time.

The engineer/s will call you on the day to let you know when they will arrive at the property or site, so you know who to expect and when to expect them. They will be well-prepared with all the tools and documentation related to LOLER and your site/equipment. If a site-specific induction is required, this can easily be incorporated into the job and is arranged at the time of booking.

Clear reports and helpful reminders

Once the LOLER inspection has been completed, the engineer surveyor will complete a full report for your records, including:

• Serial number/s of lifting equipment inspected
• Manufacturer details
• Maximum safe load capacity (kg)
• Defects identified
• Any other observations

You will be notified immediately if any of the equipment examined is deemed unfit for use. In any case, you will be sent the report by email within 48 hours. It will be your responsibility to take action on any of the defects found in order to comply with LOLER and get LOLER certification. Be aware that your insurance may also be affected.

Life gets busy, doesn’t it? So, we’ll send you a handy reminder when your lifting equipment is due for another check. We believe our customer service is only as good as your peace of mind, so we strive to make your inspections process as stress-free as it is compliant.

Need your lifting equipment for patients/persons LOLER-inspected? Arrange your next LOLER examination by calling 0118 981 1773 or email

Here at Hutcheon Examination Services Limited (HESL), the strength of our reputation isn’t just built on the comprehensive experience and recognised professional status (EngTech, IEng.) of our DBS-checked Engineer Surveyors.

Clients from a diverse range of industries choose HESL to carry out formal safety inspections for their mechanical equipment because we also offer support with planning safety inspections – thanks to our Central Planning Department.

How do clients benefit from our Central Planning Department?

What do the manager of a busy car workshop, the health and safety officer at a manufacturing plant, and the person in charge of organising regular safety checks on lifts in a care home or school have in common? They are all very dynamic, busy jobs with many responsibilities.

In these roles - and many others – there is often a constant balancing act going on. Statutory inspections in line with PUWER, LOLER, CoSHH/LEV, and PSSR are required for the safety of all those who work at or visit the site.

Lives and livelihoods depend upon this compliance. Accidents and injuries, stalled productivity, a dented reputation, costly fines, and invalidated insurance policies are just some of the high risk implications of not getting mechanical equipment tested regularly. Yet, all the other pressures of management can take up so much time that it becomes hard to keep on top of planning safety inspections.

From sending out renewal reminders to making inspection appointments, as well as compiling formal reports featuring best advice; our diligent Central Planning Department team is here to ease the administrative burden for our clients - and keep everything on track.

We pride ourselves on being accountable. That means we’re always looking for ways to help our clients - and deliver peace of mind.

All in a day’s work: Here’s how our team helps with planning safety inspections.

At HESL, clients don’t just deal with a call centre. Our personable and responsive Central Planning Department takes care of all the following aspects of planning safety inspections.

• Our client database – Prime – provides regular reports to tell us in advance of when inspections are due, so the client doesn’t have to remember
• Existing clients are automatically contacted by email to remind them it’s time to book an inspection
• A follow-up phone call is made to ensure the renewal reminder email has been seen
• The inspection is quoted and booked on time - at a convenient point in the day/week when disruption to the client’s business will be minimised
• New clients can contact us at any time - we’ll quote and book their inspection in the same way and add them to the database
• At the time of booking, we’ll take all the details (equipment, type of site, location) required to ensure the Engineer Surveyor that visits on the day is fully equipped with the right tools and enough time to do the work efficiently, yet compliantly
• All inspection location details are provided to the Engineer Surveyor by us – and clients know exactly who is visiting and when
• Central management of Engineer Surveyor diaries means they only have to focus on the safety inspection at hand, ensuring no distractions and full compliance is achieved
• Following an inspection, the Engineer Surveyor will confirm completion to us and complete a full report.
• Reports are then reviewed and signed off by a senior member of our team and the Central Planning Department sends these to the client within 48 hours of the inspection taking place
• If a safety inspection identifies hazards and reveals that remedial work is required, the Engineer Surveyor will communicate this to us, and we’ll be in touch with the client to re-book another inspection after the equipment has been fixed by a third party
• Urgent A1 defect notices are issued on site and confirmed by email urgently
• Previous inspection records are filed (in hard copy as well as electronically) in case details are needed for future reference
• Ad hoc query? We’re only ever a phone call or email away

We work across a range of industries: Automotive, Aerospace, Construction, Marine, Power/Energy, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, Manufacturing & Utilities, Arts & Entertainment, Education, and Care.

Occasionally some sites, such as social housing, need our help to communicate about inspections to tenants. We’re always happy to help with additional requirements such as these.

Put your trust in our expert team.

We invest in a Central Planning Department because, with nearly two decades in the field of statutory inspections, we understand that compliance and safety must always come first.

Guided by the impeccable organisation and robust processes of our Central Planning Department, our Engineer Surveyors can give their full attention to what they do best – quality inspections.

That leaves the client to log off, lock up and go home at the end of each working day/shift, knowing that statutory safety inspections have been done on time, to the highest standard. They never have to chase us. What a weight off their mind.

Planning safety inspections doesn’t have to be a headache. Talk to our friendly Central Planning Department about how we can help you stay on top of examinations and proof load testing for mechanical equipment at your site. HESL is an ISO9001:2015 accredited organisation.

If you are responsible for health and safety in a school, college or university in the UK, you’ve probably come across LOLER – Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, the rules and regulations that apply to lifting equipment.

Inspections for lifting equipment in schools, colleges or universities are a mandatory statutory requirement, so they will definitely feature on your calendar at least once a year.

Perhaps you are new to the role of Facilities Manager, Caretaker or Site Manager and you need improve your understanding of the regulations. Even if you have years of experience in health and safety, the complexities of LOLER can be easily misunderstood and you might need clarification to ensure your school, college or university is operating within the bounds of UK law.

Hutcheon Examination Services Limited (HESL) provides professional LOLER examination services and we want to share our expertise with you to help make your site safer and your job easier, so let’s get back to basics…

What is LOLER?

LOLER (The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) is defined by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) as follows:

“LOLER regulations place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over lifting equipment. This includes all businesses and organisations whose employees use lifting equipment, whether owned by them or not.”

“In most cases, lifting equipment is also work equipment so the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) will also apply (including inspection and maintenance).”

Founded in 2004, HESL has vast experience of LOLER and PUWER examinations in educational settings.

Which equipment is covered by LOLER?

As stated above, it’s important to remember that LOLER applies to lifting equipment that is hired by the school, college or university you work for, as well as what it owns.

Within a school, college or university setting, there may be equipment that’s not commonly or traditionally associated with lifting or lowering loads.

LOLER doesn’t just apply to more general equipment on site such as goods and passenger lifts, it applies to specific apparatus and machinery used on courses, too.

'Lifting equipment' includes any work equipment used by staff and/or students in your school, college or university for lifting and lowering loads, such as:

• Cranes
• Lift trucks
• Hoists
• Elevating access or work platforms
• Tractor front-end loaders
• Stair lifts
• Passenger/goods lifts
• Platform lifts
• Vehicle tail lifts
• Lifting accessories such as ropes, chains, sling shackles, and eye bolts
• Any attachments used for anchoring, fixing or supporting the equipment
• PPE equipment

Automotive, construction, arboriculture, care, theatre and drama, sciences, animal management and engineering are just some of the courses that might utilise lifting equipment subject to LOLER regulations.

Rest assured, all HESL engineer surveyors have the appropriate engineering qualifications to ensure the safety of a wide range of lifting equipment used in schools and colleges.

We are an ISO 90001:2015 accredited organisation and all our engineers are also DBS-checked.

Why is regular inspection of lifting equipment so important?

Every time an object or person is lifted and lowered there is a potential risk from mechanical failure, collapse of the equipment/components, and the person operating or using the lifting equipment falling or being struck. The outcome of such scenarios can be tragic, and every school, college or university has a duty of care to students, staff and visitors to ensure equipment is safe to be used.

Failure of any load-bearing part of any lifting equipment is reportable to the Health and Safety Executive as a Dangerous Occurrence under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (2013) (RIDDOR).

Significant damage to property can also be caused by defective lifting equipment. Not only will this cost your school, college or university a lot of money, but it could also potentially disrupt the education of students at a time when they have already experienced disturbed studies due to the pandemic. The future reputation of your organisation could be negatively affected and even at the worst event lead to possible prosecution.

Regular inspection also helps to deliver optimum performance and prolong the lifespan of lifting equipment, so your school, college or university gets the most out of the investment it has made.

You can trust HESL not to cut corners when examining lifting equipment in your school/college. Our engineer surveyors don’t work to timed targets – they always put quality before quantity.

Statutory inspections and your insurance & the HSE

If your statutory inspections are out of date or do not even exist and there was an accident on your premises, you may find that this failure of compliance could mean that your insurance is invalid.

If the Health & Safety Executive is involved and your organisation was found to be in material breach of the health & Safety law, this could also result in costly fines for the Fee For Intervention.

When should lifting equipment in school, college or university be inspected?

LOLER states that the frequency of inspection depends on the type of equipment within an educational establishment. Installation, levels of usage, historical factors and storage conditions must also be considered.

Thorough examinations must be carried out by a competent person:

• Before equipment is taken into service
• Following installation, where safety is dependent on correct installation
• After an incident or malfunction
• When the equipment hasn’t been used for a long period
• Due to rapid wear from heavy usage
• Periodically where lifting equipment is exposed to conditions which may cause deterioration which could lead to a dangerous situation
• If tampering is suspected

According to LOLER, the periods between routine thorough examinations should be every:

• 6 months for passenger lifts and other lifting equipment which lifts persons
• 6 months for lifting accessories
• 12 months for all other lifting equipment

For PSSR (compressed air) examinations are at the discretion of the competent person in accordance with a written scheme

HESL use visual tagging, such as a colour-coded ties and stickers. These are applied to each piece of equipment following examination and are an instant way of identifying equipment that is safe to use. This is an instant indication that the equipment is in statutory compliance.

If you choose HESL to carry out LOLER inspections in your school, college or university, we will send you reminders so that checks can be carried out in a timely manner, flagging up any repairs that might be needed in plenty of time to get them fixed. Going overdue could result in an incident, interrupted teaching, a breach of legal obligations, and a fine or prosecution.

Remember, your insurance could also be invalidated if you fail to comply with LOLER inspections before the due date.

Our friendly administration team will get the inspection booked in at a convenient time, non-term time if needed. We want to make staying safe and compliant as hassle-free as possible, with minimal disruption to your teaching timetable.

Who should carry out the LOLER examination?

LOLER testing must be performed by what is known officially as a ‘competent person’. This means someone qualified to perform the examination properly, such as a HESL Engineer Surveyor who will have all the required training, as well as ample knowledge and experience.

The inspection should be done by an independent third party, ideally not a member of your organisation, because it must be objective and impartial.

A HESL engineer surveyor can carry out the checks, identifying damage and faults which could affect the safe operation of the lifting equipment or accessories. HESL will provide you with a full report and best advice on any action that needs to be taken.

Each piece of inspected equipment must be appropriately marked, and records of each examination must be kept, with any defects being reported to the person responsible for the equipment and the relevant enforcing authority (usually the local authority).

Records must be kept by the person responsible for the lifting equipment as follows:

• New installation (other than of lifting accessories) - for so long as the equipment is kept, or until its location changes (when it should be inspected again)
• EC declaration of conformity certificates and any certificates supplied by the manufacturer. These need to be available if the equipment is kept or sold on and provided to the purchaser.
• Routine thorough examinations reports of all lifting equipment - for at least 2 years, or until the next report, whichever is longer

Helping schools, colleges and universities stay LOLER compliant

HESL currently offers LOLER examination services across Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, North / South / West London and surrounding areas. Even if your area isn't listed, please feel free to contact us and we'll be able to provide a quote.

We also offer additional inspection services for CoSHH, local exhaust ventilation, PSSR compressed systems & oxy-fuel systems.

We manage the whole inspection process, including due date reminders and planning, booking inspections and reports. Count on us to help you keep on top of LOLER regulations and ensure you are always fully compliant - and keep your site safe for all who study and work there.

To talk to us about your LOLER examination requirements, call 0118 981 1773 or email