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Perform LOLER Inspection using eAuditor

A LOLER Inspection (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations Inspection) is a formal, legally required assessment of lifting equipment, accessories, and lifting operations to ensure they are safe, suitable, and compliant with the UK’s LOLER 1998 regulations. It involves examining cranes, hoists, forklifts, passenger lifts, slings, chains, and other lifting gear to confirm that they are installed correctly, used safely, and maintained to prevent accidents. These inspections are typically carried out by a competent person at defined intervals, depending on the equipment type and use (e.g., every 6 months for lifting accessories, 12 months for lifting machinery).

Performing a LOLER Inspection (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations Inspection) using eAuditor ensures that all lifting equipment, accessories, and lifting practices are thoroughly assessed for safety, suitability, and compliance with LOLER 1998 requirements. These inspections are not just a regulatory formality; they are essential for safeguarding workers, preventing equipment failure, and ensuring that lifting operations are properly planned, executed, and supervised. By conducting LOLER inspections through eAuditor, organizations can modernize the inspection process—moving away from paper records—while ensuring accountability, real-time corrective action management, and comprehensive reporting that can stand up to both internal audits and external regulatory scrutiny.

1. Preparation for the LOLER Inspection

Effective LOLER inspections begin with detailed preparation:

• Checklist Customization: The safety officer or competent person builds or selects an eAuditor checklist tailored to specific equipment in use, whether it’s tower cranes, forklifts, passenger lifts, or simple lifting accessories like slings and chains.
• Compliance Alignment: The checklist is aligned with LOLER 1998 requirements, including specific intervals (e.g., 6 months for lifting accessories, 12 months for lifting machines, or more frequently if recommended by a risk assessment).
• Scope Definition:Inspectors identify the equipment to examine, ensuring they check everything—from large machinery to smaller, equally critical components like hooks, shackles, and eyebolts.
• Pre-Inspection Briefing: Site supervisors ensure that affected staff are aware of the inspection to minimize disruption, confirm access to equipment, and provide previous inspection or maintenance records.

This preparation step ensures that inspectors conduct thorough, legally defensible inspections tailored to actual site operations.

2. Key Areas of LOLER Inspection

LOLER inspections are broad and meticulous, covering every aspect of lifting equipment safety. Using eAuditor, inspectors can systematically address:

• Equipment Condition and Integrity
  • Checking for structural damage, wear, fatigue, or cracks.
  • Assessing ropes, chains, slings, and hooks for deformation, elongation, or corrosion.
  • Testing safety devices such as limit switches, brakes, and load indicators.
• Installation and Positioning
  • Verify that workers install equipment securely and ensure it can handle loads safely.
  • Stabilize lifting equipment using foundations or supports adequate for the loads being lifted.
  • Check that workers keep work areas clear of obstructions and properly cordon off lifting zones.
• Operational Safety and Usage
  • Ensure that operators are trained, competent, and certified for the specific equipment.
  • Review lifting plans to confirm that workers properly plan and supervise operations.
  • Check that workers display rated load capacities, understand them, and never exceed them.
  • Verifying proper use of accessories, ensuring they match the intended load and lifting configuration.
• Maintenance, Documentation, and Records
  • Reviewing maintenance schedules, logs, and any corrective actions taken previously.
  • Make sure workers keep work areas clear of obstructions and properly cordon off lifting zones.
  • Ensuring statutory certificates of thorough examination are current and accessible.

• Compliance with LOLER Duties
  • Confirm that workers conduct lifting operations with proper risk assessment, supervision, and control.
  • Make sure workers risk-assess, supervise, and properly control lifting operations.
  • Evaluating risk mitigation measures for workers and bystanders, such as exclusion zones.

3. Digital Workflow with eAuditor

eAuditor transforms LOLER inspections into an efficient, transparent, and auditable process:

• Real-Time Data Capture: Inspectors document findings directly in the app, using photos, videos, and annotations to highlight issues.
• Voice-to-Text Documentation: Allows quick and accurate note-taking during inspections without slowing down the walkthrough.
• Automated Non-Conformance Tracking: Flag non-compliance issues, assign corrective actions instantly, and set deadlines for resolution.
• Scoring and Benchmarking: Quantitative scoring provides insights into the overall compliance level, enabling comparisons across equipment types or sites.
• Cloud Storage: Securely store inspection records so they are accessible anytime for audits, internal reviews, or regulatory checks.

4. Post-Inspection Actions

The effectiveness of LOLER inspections depends on timely follow-up. With eAuditor:

• Generate a comprehensive digital report instantly, including all findings, supporting evidence, and corrective action plans.
• Log Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA), assign them to responsible personnel, and track them until resolution, with status updates visible to management.
• Certification and Documentation: Completed inspections can automatically generate LOLER-compliant certificates of thorough examination.
• Trend Analysis: Analyze inspection data from multiple equipment checks to detect recurring issues, such as frequent chain wear or repeated overload attempts.

This ensures not only compliance but also a proactive approach to equipment safety management.

5. Continuous Improvement Through eAuditor

Beyond immediate compliance, repeated LOLER inspections using eAuditor help organizations:

• Identify recurring patterns—for example, if the same type of accessory consistently fails early, replacement policies can be updated.
• Plan proactive maintenance to reduce costly downtime and extend equipment lifespan.
• Develop targeted training programs for operators, addressing common issues like improper sling use or load miscalculations.
• Create visibility and accountability through dashboards and analytics, giving senior management a clear view of compliance performance across multiple sites.
• Strengthen safety culture by ensuring that both management and operators understand the critical importance of lifting safety.

Summary: Conduct a LOLER Inspection using eAuditor to ensure that lifting equipment and operations are legally compliant and proactively managed for safety, reliability, and efficiency.
The process helps identify hazards early, assign and track corrective actions, and maintain verifiable inspection records, all within a streamlined digital platform. Over time, this strengthens operational reliability, prevents lifting-related accidents, and reinforces a strong culture of safety and accountability across the organization.

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