LOLER & PUWER Inspection Services for Sheltered Housing
Cert Safe Inspection Services Ltd provides independent inspection and examination services for sheltered housing schemes, retirement living developments, housing associations, charities, managing agents and supported accommodation providers.
Sheltered housing environments often contain a combination of lifting equipment, accessibility equipment and workplace equipment used by residents, staff, contractors and visitors. Ensuring applicable equipment is properly maintained, inspected and, where required, subject to Thorough Examination is an important part of managing a safe residential environment.
We provide professional inspection services for individual schemes and larger property portfolios, with clear reporting and planned examination programmes.
Equipment Commonly Found in Sheltered Housing
Sheltered housing schemes can contain a wide variety of equipment that may require inspection or examination depending on its purpose and use. Our services can include:
Lifts & Accessibility Equipment
- Passenger lifts
- Platform lifts
- Disabled access lifts
- Stair lifts
- Goods and service lifts
Lifting Equipment
- Patient and resident hoists
- Mobile hoists
- Fixed hoists
- Ceiling track hoists
- Slings
- Lifting accessories
- Other lifting equipment
Work Equipment
- Powered doors
- Automatic doors
- Powered gates
- Roller shutters
- Maintenance equipment
- Cleaning equipment
- Other workplace equipment
The applicable legal requirements depend on the equipment, its intended purpose and how it is used.
LOLER Thorough Examinations
Where equipment falls within the scope of LOLER, the relevant Thorough Examination requirements must be established and followed.
This can include certain lifts, resident lifting equipment, hoists and lifting accessories.
Our competent inspection personnel carry out independent Thorough Examinations and provide formal reports identifying the equipment examined, findings and any defects requiring attention.
Where a scheme contains multiple items of lifting equipment, we can arrange planned examinations to help the responsible organisation maintain an organised inspection programme.
Resident & Patient Lifting Equipment
Where sheltered housing provides care or support services, lifting equipment may be used to assist residents with mobility and personal care. Equipment can include:
- Mobile hoists
- Ceiling track hoists
- Fixed hoists
- Stand aids
- Slings
- Bath lifts
- Other resident lifting equipment
Where such equipment falls within LOLER, appropriate Thorough Examination arrangements are required.
The condition of lifting equipment and accessories can change through repeated use, cleaning, handling and general wear. Regular examination and appropriate maintenance therefore form an important part of equipment management.
Passenger & Platform Lifts
Many sheltered housing schemes rely on passenger or platform lifts to provide access between different levels. CSIS provides independent examination services for applicable lift installations, including:
- Passenger lifts
- Platform lifts
- Disabled access lifts
- Goods/service lifts
- Other relevant lifting installations
Where LOLER applies, the appropriate Thorough Examination interval must be established based on the equipment and its circumstances.
Our reports provide a clear record of the examination and any findings identified.
PUWER Inspections
Sheltered housing providers also have responsibilities for work equipment used by employees and contractors. Depending on the equipment and circumstances, this can include:
- Powered doors
- Automatic doors
- Powered gates
- Roller shutters
- Cleaning machinery
- Maintenance equipment
- Workshop equipment
- Other workplace equipment
Where inspection is necessary under PUWER, the inspection arrangements should reflect the equipment, its use, environment and associated risks.
Supporting Housing Associations & Multi-Site Providers
For organisations managing multiple sheltered housing schemes, maintaining consistent examination arrangements across different locations can be challenging. CSIS can support larger organisations with planned inspection programmes covering:
- Individual Sheltered Housing Schemes
- Regional Property Portfolios
- Multiple Housing Developments
- Housing Association Portfolios
- Charitable & Not-for-Profit Providers
- Retirement Living Developments
Where practical, multiple equipment types can be examined during the same site visit.
Clear & Consistent Reporting
For housing providers managing multiple schemes, consistent records are particularly important. Our reports provide clear documentation of the equipment examined or inspected and the findings identified. Reports can include:
- Equipment identification
- Property and location
- Examination/inspection date
- Examination or inspection scope
- Findings
- Defects
- Required action
- Relevant timescales
- Next examination date where applicable
This provides the responsible organisation with a clear record that can be retained alongside its wider property and equipment documentation.
Minimising Disruption to Residents
We understand that sheltered housing is a residential environment and that inspection visits need to be carried out sensitively and professionally.
Where practical, inspections can be planned around the operation of the scheme and arranged to minimise disruption to residents, staff and visitors.
Our inspection personnel work with site contacts to identify equipment locations and coordinate access before the examination.
Managing Defects
Where a defect is identified during an examination or inspection, it will be clearly recorded within the relevant report.
The responsible dutyholder must then ensure that appropriate action is taken.
Depending on the nature and severity of the defect, equipment may need to be removed from service until the necessary remedial work has been completed.
A Thorough Examination or PUWER inspection does not itself constitute maintenance or repair, and responsibility for the safe condition and continued use of equipment remains with the relevant dutyholder.
Working With Existing Contractors
CSIS provides independent inspection and examination services and can work alongside existing maintenance contractors.
Your lift, door, hoist or other equipment contractor can continue to carry out routine servicing, maintenance and remedial work where appropriate.
This allows housing providers to maintain an independent examination record while retaining their existing maintenance arrangements.
Why Choose Cert Safe Inspection Services?
Independent
Independent inspection and examination services without an interest in selling maintenance or repair work.
Experienced
Experience across a broad range of lifting, accessibility and workplace equipment.
Multi-Site Capability
Inspection programmes can be arranged for individual schemes or larger housing portfolios.
Clear Reporting
Professional reports designed to make findings and required actions easy to understand.
Resident-Focused
Professional inspection visits planned with consideration for residents, staff and site operations.
Local & Nationwide
Based in High Wycombe, providing services throughout Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and surrounding areas, with nationwide coverage available.
FAQs
Inspection Services for Sheltered Housing Providers
From individual sheltered housing schemes to large multi-site portfolios, Cert Safe Inspection Services Ltd provides independent LOLER and PUWER inspection services designed around the needs of housing providers and residential environments.
Tell us about your properties and the equipment you manage.