LOLER thorough examination: what it is, how often, and what the report must say

01

What is a thorough examination?

A thorough examination is a systematic and detailed examination of lifting equipment by a competent person, to detect any defects that are or might become dangerous. It is required by Regulation 9 of LOLER 1998.

It is not the same as a pre-use check. Pre-use checks are quick visual and functional checks by the user each time kit is used. A thorough examination is more rigorous, is carried out at set intervals, and must be recorded in a written report.

In LOLA: each item is examined in turn against its serial number, with condition, photos and a result recorded as you go.

02

Who can carry one out?

A competent person: someone with the practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the equipment to detect defects and assess how important they are. They must be independent and impartial, so they can make objective decisions without pressure from the people who use the kit.

The competent person can be employed by the duty holder or be an external examiner. The report must say which, and give their name, address and qualifications.

In LOLA: each examiner's name, qualification, address, employment status and signature are held on their profile and printed on every report.

03

How often is it needed?

Unless an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person sets different intervals, LOLER requires a thorough examination at least:

• Every 6 months for lifting equipment and accessories used to lift people, such as harnesses, lanyards, ropes, connectors and descenders.
• Every 6 months for all lifting accessories, such as slings, shackles and pulleys.
• Every 12 months for all other lifting equipment.
• Before first use unless the kit is new and has an EC or UK declaration of conformity no more than 12 months old.
• After exceptional circumstances such as damage, a fall arrest, long periods out of use or major changes, that could affect its safety.

In LOLA: every examination carries a next due date, and one list shows what is coming up or overdue across every client.

04

What the report must contain (Schedule 1)

Schedule 1 lists the information a report of thorough examination must include. In summary:

1. 01The name and address of the employer (duty holder) for whom the examination was made.
2. 02The address of the premises where it was made.
3. 03Particulars to identify the equipment, including its date of manufacture where known.
4. 04The date of the last thorough examination.
5. 05The safe working load, or loads for different configurations.
6. 06Whether it is a first examination, one at an interval, under an examination scheme, or after exceptional circumstances.
7. 07Any defect that is or could become a danger, with particulars of any repair, renewal or alteration needed to fix it.
8. 08Any defect that is not yet a danger, with the date by which it must be remedied.
9. 09The latest date for the next thorough examination, and of any test.
10. 10The name, address and qualifications of the person making the report, and whether they are self-employed or employed (with their employer's name and address).
11. 11The name and address of a person signing the report on the examiner's behalf, and the date of the report.

In LOLA: reports are laid out against Schedule 1 in the same order every time, so nothing the report must contain is left to memory.

05

When kit fails

If the competent person finds a defect that involves an existing or imminent risk of serious personal injury, Regulation 10 requires them to tell the duty holder straight away and to send a copy of the report to the relevant enforcing authority as soon as practicable.

The duty holder must make sure the equipment is not used until the defect is put right.

In LOLA: failed items are marked quarantine or retire, listed separately on the report with the Regulation 10 wording, and flagged on the kit's record.

06

Keeping the records

Under Regulation 11, the duty holder must keep reports of thorough examination available for inspection. For lifting accessories, keep the report for two years after it is made. For other lifting equipment, keep it until the equipment is taken out of use.

In practice many duty holders end up with a pile of PDFs and spreadsheets, one per examination, and struggle to show an inspector a current picture.

In LOLA: completed reports are locked, every item keeps its full history, and the duty holder can open their current records from a private link.

07

Interim inspections

Where the risk assessment identifies a significant risk from deterioration between thorough examinations, the duty holder should arrange interim inspections by a competent person. These sit between the user's pre-use checks and the six-monthly thorough examination.

Rope access and arboriculture commonly use interim inspections for textile kit that sees heavy use.

In LOLA: a printable interim checklist is produced for each kit from its last examination, ready to keep in the kit bag.