LOLER Inspection Tracking Software UK

What LOLER actually requires

LOLER does not set one blanket interval. The thorough examination interval depends on what the equipment is used for:

• Lifting equipment used to lift people (for example a purpose-built passenger or platform lift) and all lifting accessories (chains, slings, shackles, eyebolts): thorough examination at least every 6 months.
• Other lifting equipment: thorough examination at least every 12 months.
• Or — for either category — in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person, based on how the equipment is used and its condition.
• Additional thorough examination after exceptional circumstances likely to jeopardise the safety of the equipment (for example a dropped load, significant damage, or a long period out of service), and before first use after installation where required.

Vehicle lifts in motor vehicle repair

The 6- and 12-month periods above are the general legal defaults. For motor vehicle repair specifically, HSE recommends that vehicle lifts are thoroughly examined every 6 months, based on the risks of working beneath a raised vehicle. Where a lift carries people, 6 months is also the statutory default. Unless a competent person's examination scheme sets a different interval for your lift, plan workshop vehicle lifts on a 6-month cycle and follow the interval stated in the competent person's report or scheme. See HSE's guidance on working under vehicles and the INDG434 thorough examination guide.

Maintenance, pre-use checks and thorough examination are different things

FileGuard can hold reminders and records for all three, but it does not replace the pre-use check itself or the competent person's judgement — it records what was done and when the next one is due.

Worked examples from a workshop

These are typical categorisations, not a substitute for checking the equipment's own documentation — always confirm with the competent person's report or scheme for the specific item.

Written examination schemes and competent person reports

A written scheme of examination is drawn up by a competent person and can set out, for a specific item or group of items, what must be examined, how often and under what conditions. Where a scheme exists, it takes precedence over the default 6/12-month rule. The competent person's report after each examination records the result, any defects, and the date of the next examination — that date is what should be entered as the next-due date for the item.

How FileGuard supports this

FileGuard lets you record each lifting item in a register, attach the competent person's report, and set a reminder schedule (for example 90/60/30/14/7 days before the due date you enter). Marking an item complete logs the examination in its history; it does not read the report or move the date for you — you enter the next-due date from the report or scheme. See the equipment compliance register guide for how a wider register is structured, and garage inspection records for how LOLER sits alongside other workshop obligations. Bodyshops can see a worked example in bodyshop equipment reports.

Frequently asked questions