posted 19th October 2026
Whether you're managing passenger lifts in a commercial building or operating cherry pickers and cranes on a construction site, keeping lifting equipment safe is essential. Regular inspections don't just help businesses meet legal requirements. They also protect employees, visitors and anyone relying on that equipment.
At Cert Safe Inspection Services Ltd, we provide independent LOLER inspections in London and Buckinghamshire, helping businesses understand their responsibilities and keep their equipment compliant.
But what exactly does LOLER require, which equipment needs inspecting, and how often should examinations take place?
What Is a LOLER Inspection?
LOLER stands for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. These regulations place legal duties on businesses that own, operate or control lifting equipment used at work.
A LOLER thorough examination is a detailed assessment carried out by a competent person to identify defects that could affect the safe operation of lifting equipment.
Unlike routine servicing, which focuses on maintaining equipment, a thorough examination assesses its safety and identifies issues that may require attention.
For businesses arranging a LOLER thorough examination in London or Buckinghamshire, understanding this distinction is important. Regular maintenance alone doesn't replace the need for statutory examinations.
Passenger Lift LOLER Inspections: Are Your Lifts Compliant?
Passenger lifts are used daily in offices, residential developments, hotels, schools and commercial properties. When something goes wrong, the consequences can be serious.
Under LOLER, passenger lifts used to carry people generally require a thorough examination every six months, unless examined under an appropriate written scheme of examination.
A passenger lift inspection typically assesses safety-critical components, including:
- Lift suspension systems and associated components
- Safety devices and braking mechanisms
- Lift doors, interlocks and other protective systems
- Signs of wear, damage or deterioration
- Other components affecting safe operation
At Cert Safe Inspection Services Ltd, we provide passenger lift LOLER inspections in London and Buckinghamshire, supporting property managers, facilities management companies and building owners.
Whether you manage a single passenger lift in High Wycombe or multiple commercial properties across London, arranging examinations at the required intervals is an important part of your compliance responsibilities.
It's also worth remembering that lift servicing and LOLER examinations serve different purposes. Even a regularly serviced lift still needs its required thorough examination.
Cherry Picker and MEWP Inspections: What Are the Requirements?
Cherry pickers and mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) are commonly used for building maintenance, construction, warehouse operations and working at height.
Because these machines lift people, they generally require a LOLER thorough examination every six months, unless an appropriate examination scheme specifies otherwise.
A cherry picker LOLER inspection may include checks of:
- Hydraulic lifting systems
- Structural components and boom mechanisms
- Platform safety devices
- Controls and emergency lowering systems
- Components showing signs of damage or deterioration
Businesses arranging MEWP inspections in London or lifting equipment inspections in Buckinghamshire should also remember that LOLER works alongside PUWER, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
While LOLER focuses on lifting operations and equipment, PUWER addresses the wider safety and suitability of work equipment.
Both are important when managing powered access equipment safely.
Crane Inspections: Keeping Lifting Operations Safe
Cranes play an essential role in construction, manufacturing and industrial operations. However, lifting heavy loads introduces significant risks if equipment isn't properly examined.
Crane LOLER inspections help identify defects that could compromise lifting safety.
For cranes used to lift goods only, thorough examinations are generally required every 12 months, unless a suitable written scheme specifies different intervals. Cranes used to lift people normally require more frequent examination.
A crane inspection may assess structural components, lifting mechanisms, hooks, ropes and safety systems.
At Cert Safe Inspection Services Ltd, we support businesses requiring crane inspections in London and Buckinghamshire, including examinations of relevant lifting equipment and vehicle-mounted cranes.
How Often Are LOLER Inspections Required?
The standard examination intervals are:
Equipment: Passenger lifts Typical examination interval: Every 6 months
Equipment: Cherry pickers and MEWPs lifting people Typical examination interval: Every 6 months
Equipment: Cranes lifting goods only Typical examination interval: Every 12 months
Equipment: Lifting accessories Typical examination interval: Every 6 months
Equipment: Goods lifts carrying goods only Typical examination interval: Every 12 months
These intervals apply unless an appropriate written scheme of examination specifies otherwise. Additional examinations may also be necessary following certain exceptional circumstances or events affecting equipment safety.
Keeping accurate inspection records and acting promptly on identified defects are essential parts of compliance.
Why Choose Independent LOLER Inspections?
An independent examination provides an objective assessment of your lifting equipment's condition, separate from routine servicing and repairs.
At Cert Safe Inspection Services Ltd, we focus on thorough examinations rather than maintenance work. This means our role is to identify and clearly report defects, helping businesses understand what action may be needed.
We provide clear digital reporting and can discuss coordinating inspections across multiple sites, making it easier for businesses to manage their equipment examination requirements.
Based in High Wycombe, we support organisations throughout Buckinghamshire, including Aylesbury and surrounding areas, as well as across Greater London.
Book Your LOLER Inspection in London or Buckinghamshire
Staying compliant with LOLER doesn't need to be complicated. With regular examinations and clear reporting, businesses can manage their lifting equipment responsibilities with greater confidence.
Whether you need a passenger lift inspection in London, a cherry picker LOLER inspection or a crane inspection in Buckinghamshire, we're here to help.
Contact Cert Safe Inspection Services Ltd today to discuss your equipment and arrange a no-obligation quotation.
Visit our website or call 01494 211066 to speak with our team.