LOLER Inspection Audit Guide: A Complete Guide & Free Checklists
LOLER Inspection Audit Guide: A Complete Guide & Free Checklists helps you check lifting equipment, spot risks, and keep clear safety records.
Lifting equipment must be safe to use, well maintained, and fit for the job. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) set key duties for lifting equipment in the UK. This guide explains how to plan inspections, check equipment, record faults, and follow up on repairs. With eAuditor Audits & Inspections, you can use digital checklists to record findings, add photos, and track actions in one place.
Whether you manage a warehouse, building site, factory, or transport yard, this LOLER Inspection Audit Guide can help you build a clear and practical inspection process. You will also find free checklist resources to help your team work in a safer and more organised way.
What Is a LOLER Inspection?
A LOLER inspection helps you check that lifting equipment is safe and suitable for use. LOLER stands for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
These rules apply to many types of lifting equipment used at work. Examples include cranes, hoists, lifts, and lifting accessories such as chains, slings, and shackles.
A LOLER inspection may involve a thorough examination by a competent person. The examiner checks the equipment for defects that could put people at risk. They then record the findings and report any defects that need action.
However, a LOLER inspection is not the same as a routine pre-use check or regular maintenance. Each task serves a different purpose, so you should include all relevant checks in your safety plan.
Why Is a LOLER Inspection Important?
Lifting equipment can cause serious harm if it fails during use. A worn chain, faulty brake, damaged hook, or poor lifting plan can put workers and nearby people at risk.
Regular checks help you spot these problems before they cause an accident. They also help you meet legal duties and keep better records.
A clear LOLER inspection process can help you:
- Find damage and wear before equipment fails.
- Check that lifting equipment suits the task.
- Confirm that the correct safe working load is clear.
- Keep examination reports and maintenance records up to date.
- Identify faults that need urgent action.
- Prevent the use of unsafe equipment.
- Improve communication between operators, supervisors, and maintenance teams.
- Support safety audits and compliance reviews.
Most importantly, a well-planned inspection helps your team make safer choices every day.
What Equipment Needs a LOLER Inspection?
LOLER covers lifting equipment used at work, including equipment that lifts loads and, in relevant cases, people. The exact requirements depend on the equipment, its use, and the risks involved.
Common examples include:
- Cranes: Check the structure, controls, brakes, hooks, and lifting mechanisms.
- Hoists: Inspect the chain or wire rope, brake, controls, and load capacity.
- Forklift trucks: Check the lifting parts and any relevant lifting functions, alongside other required safety checks.
- Goods lifts: Review the lifting system, doors, controls, and safety devices.
- Passenger lifts: Check the relevant safety systems and examination records.
- Lifting slings: Look for cuts, fraying, broken wires, wear, and other damage.
- Chains and shackles: Check for cracks, distortion, wear, and secure connections.
- Lifting beams: Inspect the structure, lifting points, markings, and condition.
- Vehicle-mounted lifting equipment: Check the relevant lifting parts, controls, and supporting systems.
- Patient lifting equipment: Check suitable hoists and lifting accessories in line with their use and applicable requirements.
This list gives a useful starting point. Your organisation should identify each item that falls within the relevant legal requirements and set an appropriate inspection schedule.
LOLER Inspection vs. Pre-Use Checks vs. Maintenance
These activities work together, but they do not replace one another.
| Activity | Main purpose | Who should do it? |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-use check | Find obvious faults before use | A trained operator or other suitable person |
| Routine maintenance | Keep equipment in good working order | A competent maintenance worker or service provider |
| LOLER thorough examination | Assess safety and identify defects under LOLER | A competent person |
| Internal audit | Review records, processes, and compliance | A suitable auditor or safety manager |
For example, an operator may spot a damaged sling during a pre-use check. A maintenance worker may repair or replace a faulty part. A competent person must carry out the required thorough examination and report its findings.
An internal audit can then check whether the organisation followed its procedures and closed all required actions.
How Often Should You Carry Out a LOLER Inspection?
The required frequency depends on the equipment, its use, and the risks. LOLER sets maximum intervals for thorough examinations in common cases.
- Every six months: For equipment used to lift people and lifting accessories, unless a competent person sets a different examination scheme where permitted.
- Every twelve months: For other lifting equipment, unless a competent person sets a different examination scheme where permitted.
- After certain events: An examination may also be needed after installation, assembly at a new site, or exceptional circumstances that could affect safety.
A competent person may draw up a written examination scheme that sets different intervals and inspection details. You should follow that scheme where it applies.
Do not rely on a calendar alone. Review the equipment’s condition, workload, environment, and history of defects. Also, carry out suitable pre-use checks and maintenance between thorough examinations.
Who Can Carry Out a LOLER Thorough Examination?
A competent person must carry out the required thorough examination. This person needs suitable knowledge, training, and experience to identify defects and judge their effect on safety.
They should also have enough independence to make an objective assessment. A person who operates or maintains the equipment may not always be the right person to carry out the statutory examination.
The competent person should:
- Understand the type of lifting equipment being examined.
- Know the relevant legal and technical requirements.
- Identify defects that could affect safe use.
- Assess the risks linked to each defect.
- Record the findings clearly.
- Recommend or require the appropriate action under the applicable rules.
An ordinary checklist cannot replace the skill and judgement needed for a statutory thorough examination.
Complete LOLER Inspection Checklist
Use this free checklist as a starting point for your inspection or internal audit. Adapt it to suit the equipment, site, and examination scheme. A routine checklist does not replace a statutory thorough examination by a competent person.
1. Equipment details
- Record the inspection date and time.
- Enter the site or work area.
- Record the equipment type and unique identification number.
- Note the manufacturer, model, and serial number where available.
- Record the operator or responsible person.
- Confirm that the equipment appears on the lifting equipment register.
- Check that the required documents are available.
2. Identification and load capacity
- Check that the equipment has clear identification.
- Confirm that the safe working load (SWL) or rated capacity is clearly marked where required.
- Check that workers can read the load markings.
- Confirm that operators understand the equipment’s limits.
- Check that the equipment suits the planned lifting task.
- Review any restrictions on use.
3. Hooks, chains, ropes, and slings
- Look for cracks, cuts, corrosion, or excessive wear.
- Check wire ropes for broken wires, kinks, and other damage.
- Inspect chains for stretched, bent, or damaged links.
- Check slings for fraying, tears, or damaged stitching.
- Inspect hooks for distortion and cracks.
- Check hook safety catches where fitted.
- Inspect shackles, connectors, and other attachments.
- Confirm that accessories have suitable identification and capacity markings.
- Remove defective accessories from use and report them.
4. Mechanical and structural parts
- Check the frame and support structure for visible damage.
- Look for cracks, bends, rust, or loose fittings.
- Inspect mounting points and fasteners.
- Check wheels, rails, pulleys, and moving parts where relevant.
- Look for oil or hydraulic fluid leaks.
- Check that guards and covers are secure.
- Confirm that the equipment sits on a suitable base or support.
- Report any defect that could affect safe use.
5. Controls and safety devices
- Check that controls are clear and easy to identify.
- Test controls only when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
- Check emergency stops where fitted.
- Review brakes and load-holding functions.
- Check limit switches and overload protection where fitted.
- Confirm that safety devices work as intended.
- Look for signs of tampering or bypassed safety systems.
- Check warning labels and operating instructions.
6. Lifting operations
- Confirm that the task has a suitable lifting plan where required.
- Check that the load weight is known.
- Confirm that the load stays within the equipment’s rated capacity.
- Check that the correct lifting accessories are used.
- Ensure that the load is secured and balanced.
- Check that the lifting area is clear of people and obstacles.
- Confirm that operators and slingers know their roles.
- Check communication between the operator and the person directing the lift.
- Review weather and ground conditions for outdoor lifts.
- Use barriers or exclusion zones where needed.
7. Documents and examination records
- Check the latest thorough examination report.
- Confirm that the examination date is within the required interval or follows the applicable written scheme.
- Review any report of defects.
- Check that required actions have been completed.
- Review maintenance and repair records.
- Check operator training and competence records.
- Confirm that the equipment register is current.
- Keep records easy to find and review.
8. Defects and corrective actions
- Record each defect in clear terms.
- Add photos where they help explain the problem.
- Assess whether the defect affects safe use.
- Stop use and isolate the equipment when required.
- Mark unsafe equipment clearly to prevent use.
- Assign the action to a suitable person.
- Set a realistic due date based on the risk.
- Record repair or replacement details.
- Arrange a further examination where required.
- Verify that the action is complete before returning equipment to service.
9. Final review and sign-off
- Confirm that all checklist sections are complete.
- Record any items that do not apply.
- Summarise the main findings.
- List urgent actions and their owners.
- Record the name of the person completing the checklist.
- Add the supervisor’s review where needed.
- Record the next due date based on the applicable examination scheme.
- Store the completed record in the correct location.
Use this checklist to support routine checks and internal reviews. Always follow the equipment manufacturer’s guidance, your risk assessment, and the requirements that apply to the specific lifting equipment.
Free LOLER Inspection Checklists from eAuditor
You do not need to build every checklist from scratch. eAuditor provides online inspection resources that can help you set up a structured process for lifting equipment and workplace safety.
Use the following verified eAuditor pages to find relevant checklist guidance. Review each template before use and adapt it to your equipment and legal duties.
1. LOLER Inspection Checklist
The eAuditor LOLER Inspection Checklist covers equipment identification, visual checks, safety devices, structural condition, lifting accessories, and inspection records.
Use it to build a checklist that helps your team record defects, review documents, and keep track of safety concerns.
2. LOLER Inspection Checklist: Detailed Template
The detailed LOLER Inspection Checklist includes equipment details, pre-use checks, lifting accessories, load security, lift planning, post-lift checks, defects, and sign-off.
This resource can help you create a more detailed template for construction sites, warehouses, and industrial workplaces.
3. Heavy Equipment Maintenance Checklist
The Heavy Equipment Maintenance Checklist is a useful related resource for reviewing equipment condition and maintenance needs.
Use it alongside your LOLER process where relevant. Remember that a maintenance checklist does not replace a statutory thorough examination.
4. Site Inspection Checklist
The eAuditor Site Inspection Checklist covers site access, housekeeping, tools, machinery, lifting equipment, and other workplace hazards.
It can help safety managers review the wider work area around lifting operations.
5. Safety and Health Inspection Checklist
The Safety and Health Inspection Checklist supports broader workplace safety reviews. Use it to check whether your lifting procedures fit into your overall health and safety system.
You can also browse the eAuditor LOLER category to explore related inspection resources.
Note: These links lead to verified eAuditor pages. I could not independently verify separate template URLs on library.eAuditor.app, so I have not invented any library links.
How to Conduct a LOLER Inspection Audit
A clear process helps your team complete checks in the right order and act on findings without delay.
Step 1: Prepare for the audit
Start by listing the lifting equipment used at your site. Include its location, identification number, rated capacity, last examination date, and next due date.
Next, collect the relevant risk assessments, maintenance records, examination reports, and written examination schemes. This helps you spot missing documents before the physical checks begin.
Step 2: Review the inspection schedule
Check whether each item needs a thorough examination and confirm the correct due date. Look for overdue examinations and missing reports.
If you find a gap, assign an action to the responsible person. Do not assume that a recent maintenance visit counts as a thorough examination.
Step 3: Inspect the equipment
Use a checklist that matches the equipment type. Check the visible condition, safety devices, load markings, and lifting accessories.
Only carry out functional tests when they are safe and appropriate. Leave specialist examinations and tests to competent people with the right skills and equipment.
Step 4: Record clear evidence
Write down what you find. Avoid vague notes such as “damaged” or “needs repair.”
Instead, describe the part, the defect, and its location. Add a photo if it helps explain the issue. Record the equipment ID so the team can find the correct item quickly.
Step 5: Assess the risks
Decide whether each finding affects safe use. A serious defect may require you to stop the lift and take the equipment out of service.
Do not allow staff to use unsafe equipment while they wait for a repair. Follow the competent person’s report and the site’s safety procedures.
Step 6: Assign corrective actions
Give each action to a named person or team. Set a due date that reflects the risk, and state what the person must do.
For example, a damaged sling may need immediate removal and replacement. A missing record may require the safety manager to obtain the correct report before the equipment is used again.
Step 7: Close the audit
Review every finding and check the evidence of completion. Confirm that the responsible person has resolved the issue and that the equipment can safely return to use.
Keep the audit record with the related documents. This makes future reviews easier and helps you spot repeated faults.
How eAuditor Audits & Inspections Can Help
Paper forms can work, but they can also get lost, become hard to read, or take time to update. Digital checklists offer a more organised way to collect and review inspection data.
With eAuditor Audits & Inspections, your team can use a structured digital process to support inspections and internal audits.
Key benefits include:
- Digital checklists: Organise questions by equipment type and inspection area.
- Photo evidence: Attach images to help explain faults and damage.
- Clear records: Capture inspection details in a consistent format.
- Corrective action tracking: Record issues, assign actions, and follow their progress where the chosen workflow supports these features.
- Custom templates: Add questions that match your site’s equipment and procedures.
- Reports: Keep inspection findings together for review and follow-up, using the available reporting features.
- Better oversight: Review recurring faults and identify areas that need attention.
For example, a warehouse manager can use a digital checklist to record the condition of lifting accessories, note a damaged chain, and document the action taken. The manager can then review the record without searching through several paper files.
Digital tools help you organise the process, but they do not decide whether equipment is safe. A competent person must still carry out the required thorough examination and make the necessary technical judgements.
Best Practices for LOLER Inspection Audits
A checklist works best when your team uses it as part of a wider safety system.
- Keep an accurate equipment register. Give each item a unique ID and record its location.
- Use equipment-specific checklists. A crane and a lifting sling do not need the same inspection questions.
- Set reminders. Track examination dates and plan ahead to avoid missed deadlines.
- Train your staff. Make sure operators know how to spot obvious defects and report them.
- Keep reports accessible. Store examination reports and maintenance records where authorised staff can find them.
- Act on defects quickly. Do not leave serious safety concerns open while equipment remains in use.
- Check previous findings. Repeated faults may point to poor maintenance or a wider process problem.
- Review the process regularly. Update your checklists when equipment, tasks, or risks change.
- Use competent examiners. Confirm that the person carrying out a statutory examination has the right knowledge and experience.
- Keep an audit trail. Record who found the issue, who took action, and when the team closed it.
These steps make your LOLER Inspection Audit Guide more than a record-keeping exercise. They help turn inspection findings into practical safety improvements.
Common LOLER Inspection Audit Mistakes
Even a detailed checklist can miss important issues if the team uses it poorly. Watch out for these common mistakes.
Treating every check as a thorough examination: Routine checks, maintenance, and statutory examinations serve different purposes. Keep them separate in your records.
Using one checklist for all equipment: Different items have different risks. Tailor the questions to each type of lifting equipment.
Ignoring missing documents: A missing examination report can create a compliance gap. Find the correct record and confirm the equipment’s status before use where required.
Leaving defects open: A recorded fault does not become safe just because someone has added it to a checklist. Assign an action and verify completion.
Relying on visual checks alone: Some defects may not be visible during a basic inspection. Follow the relevant examination scheme and use a competent person.
Setting dates without checking the rules: Do not apply one fixed interval to every item. Check the legal requirements and any applicable written examination scheme.
Failing to review past findings: Repeated faults can signal a deeper problem. Review earlier reports and check whether the team has addressed the cause.
Avoiding these mistakes can make your audit more useful and help your organisation maintain safer lifting operations.
How to Choose the Right LOLER Inspection Checklist
The best checklist is one that matches your equipment, risks, and inspection duties.
Before you select a template, ask these questions:
- Does it identify the equipment clearly?
- Does it cover the parts and safety devices relevant to that equipment?
- Does it record the examination date and supporting documents?
- Does it allow the inspector to describe defects clearly?
- Can staff record photos or other evidence where useful?
- Does it support action tracking and follow-up?
- Can you adapt it to your site’s procedures?
- Does it distinguish routine checks from statutory thorough examinations?
A short, focused checklist may suit a simple inspection. More complex lifting operations may need a detailed audit with extra sections for planning, documentation, and corrective actions.
Use the free eAuditor resources above as a starting point, then tailor the checklist to your actual needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About LOLER Inspection Audits
1. What does LOLER stand for?
LOLER stands for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. These UK regulations set requirements for the safe use, planning, and examination of lifting equipment at work.
2. Is a LOLER inspection a legal requirement?
LOLER requires employers and other duty holders to ensure that lifting equipment receives the required thorough examinations. The duties depend on the equipment and how people use it. A suitable examination scheme may set the examination requirements and intervals.
3. How often should lifting equipment undergo a LOLER thorough examination?
In common cases, equipment used to lift people and lifting accessories need examination at least every six months. Other lifting equipment generally needs examination at least every twelve months. A competent person’s written examination scheme may set different intervals where permitted.
4. Who can carry out a LOLER thorough examination?
A competent person must carry out the examination. They need suitable knowledge, training, and experience to identify defects and assess their effect on safety.
5. What should a LOLER inspection checklist include?
A checklist should cover equipment identification, load capacity, physical condition, lifting accessories, safety devices, examination records, defects, and corrective actions. The exact questions should match the equipment and the purpose of the check.
6. Can I use a free LOLER inspection checklist?
Yes. A free checklist can help you organise routine checks and internal audits. You must still meet all applicable legal duties and arrange the required thorough examinations by a competent person.
7. What should I do if an inspection finds a defect?
Assess the risk and stop using the equipment if the defect makes it unsafe. Isolate and label the item where needed, report the problem, and arrange suitable repairs or replacement. Follow the competent person’s report and any required further examination before returning the equipment to service.
8. Does a LOLER inspection replace regular maintenance?
No. A thorough examination, routine checks, and maintenance serve different purposes. You should include all relevant activities in your equipment safety plan.
9. What records should I keep after a LOLER inspection?
Keep the relevant thorough examination reports, equipment details, maintenance records, defect reports, repair records, and evidence of completed actions. Make sure the records are accessible to the people responsible for equipment safety.
10. Can I use eAuditor for LOLER inspection audits?
Yes. You can use eAuditor Audits & Inspections to organise digital checklists, record findings, attach photos, and manage inspection records using the available features. The tool supports your process but does not replace a competent person’s statutory examination.
11. What is the difference between LOLER and PUWER?
LOLER focuses on lifting equipment and lifting operations. PUWER stands for the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It covers a wider range of work equipment and its suitability, maintenance, and safe use. Both sets of rules may apply to the same equipment.
12. Where can I find free LOLER inspection checklists?
Start with the eAuditor LOLER Inspection Checklist and the detailed LOLER Inspection Checklist. You can also browse the eAuditor LOLER category for related resources.
Conclusion
A good LOLER Inspection Audit Guide helps you check equipment, record defects, and follow up on safety issues. It also helps your team keep the right records and plan work with greater care.
Start with a suitable checklist, review your examination dates, and make sure a competent person carries out each required thorough examination. Most importantly, act on defects as soon as possible and never allow an unsafe item to remain in use.
With eAuditor Audits & Inspections, you can organise inspection records, capture evidence, and track actions in a more structured way. Use the free eAuditor checklists as a starting point, tailor them to your equipment, and build a process that supports safer lifting operations every day.