LOLER

Understand LOLER duties for lifting equipment and lifting operations.

Learn about strength and stability, positioning, marking, planning, thorough examination and reporting of defects.

8 minute readReviewed September 2026

THE SHORT ANSWER

LOLER is the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It applies duties to lifting equipment and operations at work alongside other requirements such as PUWER.

Understanding what is loler?

Determine which equipment and accessories are in scope, how they are used and who controls the lifting operation.

Keep routine checks, maintenance and statutory thorough examination distinct while coordinating their findings around the same lifting equipment.

A practical approach

Ensure lifting operations are properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out safely by competent people.

Define responsibility, applicable criteria and escalation before collecting more data.

Suitable lifting equipment
Planned and supervised operations
Safe working load marking
Thorough examination

Evidence and continual control

Maintain equipment and arrange thorough examination at the required times under a suitable scheme, acting on reported defects.

Review exceptions and outcomes regularly so the process improves rather than becoming static administration.

Authoritative guidance

Use these primary sources alongside your organisation's competent technical and legal advice.

HSE: Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations

COMMON QUESTIONS

What is LOLER? FAQs

Why does what is loler? matter?

LOLER is the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It applies duties to lifting equipment and operations at work alongside other requirements such as PUWER.

What should an organisation document?

Maintain equipment and arrange thorough examination at the required times under a suitable scheme, acting on reported defects.

Can software replace competent judgement?

No. Software can organise workflow and evidence, but technical, legal and safety decisions remain with competent and authorised people.

KEEP READING

Strengthen risk and inspection control

LOLER inspection softwareManage equipment identity, examination schemes, competent-person reports and follow-up without losing the distinction between maintenance and thorough examination.LOLER inspection checklistCover equipment identity, marking, documents, due dates, defects and operational controls around lifting equipment.LOLER inspection frequencyLearn why six- and twelve-month intervals are common, when a written scheme applies and which events trigger additional examination.Equipment covered by LOLERUnderstand why classification depends on function and use, and how equipment can be subject to both LOLER and PUWER.LOLER thorough examinationLearn how thorough examination differs from routine maintenance and what the competent person's report should trigger.LOLER inspection recordsBuild a retrievable record that connects each competent-person report with the lifting equipment and actions arising from it.

PUT THE GUIDANCE INTO PRACTICE

Connect inspections, risk and corrective work.

Maintarium Pro connects controlled inspections and risk records with equipment status and accountable action.

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