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LOLER inspection checklist

About the LOLER inspection checklist

LOLER inspections are an important part of ensuring that all operating conditions are safe and ideal before using the lifting equipment. This includes making sure that the load is properly supported, that there are no safety hazards present, and that all controls have been properly checked and adjusted.

Keep your equipment strong and stable with a LOLER inspection checklist

Site managers, area supervisors, and other qualified individuals utilize LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) checklists to guarantee the reliability and safe usage of lifting equipment and establish safety in the workplace.

Lumiform provides a customizable checklist that includes these regulations, and you can enrich it with further needs and concerns you might have. You can also distribute it to all your employees easily and digitally for boosted operational efficiency.

Having a LOLER inspection for your business significantly lowers the risks of injury or death. To lower the dangers when operating the machinery, a LOLER inspection will also verify that all lifting equipment is installed securely and appropriately. Additionally, the necessary loads will be marked on the equipment, reducing the possibility of overcommitting the machine.

How to use the LOLER inspection checklist

Using the LOLER inspection checklist is crucial for ensuring that your lifting operations meet safety and regulatory standards. Follow this step-by-step guide to make the most out of the template:

Engage your team. Edit the checklist based on your needs, then share it with team members involved in lifting operations. Train them on how to recognize hazards and start going through the checklist with them.
Prepare your workspace and equipment. Before diving into the checklist, gather all the information you’ll need, such as equipment specifications, serial numbers, and prior inspection records. Ensure that your equipment is easily accessible for visual and functional checks.
Document equipment details thoroughly. Fill out basic details like make, model, and serial number. Include specifics about the location and department. This creates a clear record that helps in tracking recurring issues or patterns.
Perform inspections systematically. Work through each section of the checklist methodically and assess all aspects, including strength, stability, operator protection, and environmental considerations. Answer every question honestly and mark any “No” responses for follow-up action.
Review and act on findings. After completing the checklist, review your findings. Address any safety concerns immediately, especially where risks involve human safety or legal non-compliance. Log all actions taken and file the completed checklist for future reference.

Get your LOLER inspection checklist today

Keep your lifting operations smooth and risk-free with this checklist. From equipment details to thorough safety evaluations, it simplifies inspections with its clear structure and actionable prompts. Use it to spot hazards, improve workflows, and keep everyone safe on the job.

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Preview of the template

LOLER Inspection Checklist

Equipment

Make & Model

Serial Number

Equipment Description (with details of location, department, etc.)

Is equipment specifically designed for lifting people?

Does it comply with Paragraph 127 of the LOLER guidance?

Is the lifting equipment designed for lifting people clearly marked to this effect?

Are persons using carriers (e.g. lift car), whether fully enclosed or not, prevented from being crushed, trapped, struck or fall from?

Does the carrier have suitable devices to prevent it falling?

Are persons being lifted not exposed to danger and is there a reliable means of rescue available, even in the event of failure?

Does the person being lifted have a reliable means of communication with the operator or some other responsible person?

Has the Safe Working Load for equipment and accessories been derated by a suitable amount to provide an appropriate factor of safety when lifting persons?

Regulation 3: Application

Suitability

Is the design compatible with human dimensions?

Has a PUWER risk assessment been completed?

Is the equipment suitable for the task?

Materials

Is the equipment material suitable for the conditions it is to be used in?

How often is the equipment used?

What is the nature and characteristics of the load to be lifted?

Access

Is it safe and suitable?

Can safe access be achieved to maintain, repair, inspect, dismantle?

Is access permanent (preferably, it should be)?

Slips, Trips & Falls

Are slips, trips, falls minimized if a person is required to be present on the equipment?

Is the working place of adequate size and strength for people and any items required?

Are openings on the floor adequately covered or fenced?

Is edge protection provided at fall areas exceeding 2m?

At fall areas below 2m, where factors would increase the likelihood of a fall/serious injury, is edge protection provided?

Is edge protection suitable and securely fixed?

Do gates/barriers on edge protection open inwards or is there another safe method?

Is edge protection provided where there is a risk of an object falling from a workplace on the equipment onto a person below?

Operator Protection

Is the operator adequately protected against the environment?

High Winds

If equipment/load can be affected by high winds, is it fitted with devices to detect dangerous situations that will enable measures to be taken to cease its use?

Regulation 4: Strengths & Stability

Strength

Does the equipment have adequate strength for the job to be done?

Does the equipment have an appropriate factor of safety against failure under foreseeable modes (e.g. fracture, wear, fatigue)?

Stability

Is the equipment of adequate stability for the job to be done?

Do you need to take measures to resist overturning?

If stabilizing arrangements are a part of the equipment, are they in place and operating effectively before the equipment is used?

Is the equipment that is mobile, dismantled/reassembled, stable before use?

Overload

If overturning/overloading is a significant risk, are rate capacity indicators or rated capacity limiters fitted to the equipment?

Are lifting points on loads of suitable strength?

Regulation 6: Positioning & Installation

Is the equipment positioned or installed to minimize the need to lift loads over people and minimize the risk of injury to persons?

Is any load moving along a fixed path (e.g. hoist) protected by a suitable and substantial enclosure?

Is the maximum height of travel for a load moving along a fixed path below 2m?

Is it a means of protecting people from the underside of that equipment or its attachments in place (e.g. barrier, gate)?

Does the equipment have a travel or slewing motion to prevent trapping points or where not possible, controls to prevent access to these points?

Is access to and from the equipment sufficient and does it protect people from dropping loads?

Are uncontrolled movements of a freely suspended load prevented?

Are runway beams level and of sufficient stiffness to prevent drifting/running away?

Is the equipment fitted with suitable devices to minimize the uncontrolled freefall of loads?

In the event of a power failure, are there measures in place to prevent people from any resulting risks?

Are hooks of the type that reduces the risk of load-displacement fitted?

If 2 or more items of equipment are being used, will collisions of loads and equipment be avoided?

Is there an adequate interlocked gate or similar device fitted and of suitable height to prevent falls down a shaft or hoistway, or, are other arrangements in place?

Is the gate or enclosure at least 2m high?

Regulation 7: Marking of Lifting Equipment

Is the machine and accessories for lifting clearly marked with the safe working load (SWL)?

If the machine is dependant on configuration or operating radius, is...

Are accessories that can be separated from the equipment marked to indicate the equipment of which it is a part of?

If a number of lifting accessories are assembled to form one lifting accessory and is not dismantled after use, is it marked to indicate its safety characteristics?

If the weight of any accessory is significant in relation to its SWL, is the accessory clearly marked with its weight?

If other characteristics or weight might make the use of the accessory unsuitable for any other piece of equipment, is this clearly marked on the accessory or is the information given to the user?

Are lifting accessories with only one SWL marked with that value or is there a color-coding system in place?

If an accessory configuration can affect the SWL is it clearly marked or is the user-provided with information?

Regulation 8: Organization of Lifting Operations (lifting or lowering)

Are all lifting operations properly planned i.e. address the risks identified by the Risk Assessment?

Are operations appropriately supervised?

Are operations carried out in a safe manner?

Is the load being lifted by 2 or more lifting equipment simultaneously?

Is suitable work equipment provided for the task?

If persons need to work below a load, are safe systems of work established which minimizes the risks?

If loads are left suspended, is access to the danger zone prevented?

Is the suspended load secured?

If persons have to work under a suspended load, are they aware of the risks and that the equipment has been thoroughly examined?

If the risk cannot be controlled by the layout organization, are other measures in place to minimize the consequences if the load falls?

If these measures are not enough, have you provided a safe system of work to exclude people from the danger?

Do you need guidance for planning lifting operations?

Visibility

If the driver cannot observe the full path of the load, is there a banksman to guide the operator?

Are the signals or verbal communication used consistent with the code of signals in Schedule 1 of the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996?

Are measures in place to prevent the load striking anything or a person?

Attaching/Detaching/Securing Loads

Are lifting accessories used for securing the load compatible with the load?

Are measures in place to prevent disintegration of the load?

If ropes, chains, slings are shortened, is it done in a safe manner?

After attaching or detaching a load, does the operator wait for authorization before commencing to lift?

Is the load handler competent to select suitable lifting accessories?

Environment

When the integrity of the lifting equipment could be affected by meteorological condition, do you halt its use?

Do you have a system of work that sets out measures required for particular weather conditions?

If weather conditions have affected the lifting equipment and are likely to jeopardize its safety, has a thorough examination been undertaken?

Location

Is there sufficient headroom to access/egress the site and to safely position and install the equipment?

Overturning

Are measures and checks in place to prevent lifting equipment from tilting, overturning, moving inadvertently or slipping?

Is dragging of loads banned when it is liable to cause damage or overturning?

Can the operator of the lifting equipment judge the weight of the load they will be lifting?

Proximity Hazards

Are measures in place to minimize the risk of lifting equipment due to its proximity to other objects (e.g. excavations, overhead hazards, underground services, structures)?

Is there an all-around 6m exclusion zone where there is a likelihood of anyone being struck whilst working near the wheel tracks of an overhead crane?

Is there a safe system in place to keep people out of the danger zone?

Derating

Is the lifting equipment derated when necessary to take into account the environment and mode of use?

Overload

Is the load more than the safe working load?

If the weight of the load is unknown and may be approaching the maximum weight the equipment can handle, do you ensure that it is not lifted until the weight is determined?

Do you ensure the area around the lifting equipment is clear when performing an overload test?

Are essential workers only retained to lift the load during an overload test?

Is the test completed as efficiently as possible?

Pre-use Check

Have the people used lift equipment received appropriate training, information, and instruction on how to carry out pre-use checks?

Are pre-use checks undertaken before lifting equipment is used each working day/shift?

Is appropriate action taken to rectify any defects?

Continuing Integrity

Are all lifting accessories stored in conditions that do not lead to damage or deterioration?

Are suitable storage facilities provided for lifting accessories?

Regulation 9: Thorough Examination & Inspection

Has lifting equipment been thoroughly examined before putting into service for the first time?

Did you obtain the lifting equipment from another company?

Does the lifting equipment depend on installation conditions?

Is your lifting equipment exposed to conditions causing deterioration likely to cause a dangerous situation?

Is it inspected, where appropriate at suitable intervals between thorough examination?

Do you ensure that thorough examination takes place after the lifting equipment is involved in an accident or dangerous occurrence?

Do you ensure that thorough examination takes place after a significant change in condition?

Do you ensure that thorough examination takes place after long periods out of use?

Is a thorough examination undertaken after substantial or significant modification, repair or when reconfigured?

Do you ensure that all lifting equipment that is used outside its normal place of work or equipment received from another organization or is given to another organization is accompanied by physical evidence of the last thorough examination report?

Does the risk assessment identify significant risk to the operator or other workers?

Regulation 10: Reports & Defects

Where there is an equipment or accessory defect involving existing or imminent risk or serious injury because of the failure of the equipment, do you send a copy of the report, as soon as possible, to the Health and Safety Executive?

Do you notify the person controlling the equipment’s use of any defect which could become dangerous to a person?

Do you make a written record of the inspection?

Do you ensure that if you have been notified of any defect, you do not use the equipment before it is rectified?

Do you ensure that where a defect has not yet but could become a danger to persons, the equipment is not used before the defect is rectified?

Regulation 11: Keeping of Information

Have you kept the EC Declaration of Conformity for equipment obtained after 5 December 1998?

Do you keep available for inspection thorough examination reports done for lifting equipment until you cease to use the equipment?

Do you keep available for inspection all thorough examination reports done for lifting accessories for 2 years after the report is made?

Do you keep available for inspection all thorough examination reports of lifting equipment where its safety is dependant on installation conditions?

Do you keep available for inspection all thorough examination reports of lifting equipment where if it is exposed to conditions causing deterioration it could result in dangerous situations?

Do you periodically review the inspection and thorough examination reports as part of the management arrangements for controlling the lifting equipment?

Sign Off

Overall Recommendations

Evaluator's Name & Signature

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between LOLER and PUWER regulations?

LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) focuses on the safe use of lifting equipment, emphasizing inspections, safe working loads, and preventing lifting-related risks. PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) covers a broader scope, ensuring all work equipment is suitable, safe to use, and properly maintained.

Are there specific training requirements for workers using lifting equipment?

Yes, workers must be trained to operate lifting equipment safely and perform pre-use checks. Training should cover equipment-specific controls, load limits, and how to respond to hazards. For example, operators of cranes need practical experience, while manual hoist users should understand proper lifting techniques to prevent accidents.

What should I do if my lifting equipment fails a LOLER inspection?

If equipment fails, take it out of service immediately to avoid risks. Investigate the failure’s cause, repair or replace the faulty components, and re-inspect the equipment before using it again. Keep detailed records of the issue and resolution to document compliance and track recurring problems.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.