If your business operates commercial platform lifts, LOLER compliance isn’t optional—it’s a legal requirement that ensures safety and operational continuity. Learn more about the same in our post.
Lifts are an important part of everyday life, both personally and commercially. They help people access buildings and facilities, and commercial businesses maintain operational efficiency.
For instance, the UK had 1.2 million wheelchair users, as of 2017. Commercially operated platform lifts help these people access churches and other buildings.
This is why carrying out frequent LOLER inspections is essential to enforce safety and compliance.
Let’s now explore more about this in the sections below.
What is LOLER and Why Does It Matter?
LOLER or Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations deal with the safety of all lifting equipment, including lifts. These regulations are established and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive.
The HSE is Britain’s official body for governing workplace safety and health.
LOLER regulations are important since they govern lifts, such as commercial platform lifts, passenger lifts, and wheelchair lifts. These lifts are vital since they help create an inclusive environment.
These regulations apply to everyone who owns or operates these lifts, even if they do not own them.
The key objectives of LOLER Inspections include ensuring that the lifting equipment:
- Is safely functioning
- Has not faced any overloading or misuse
- Is maintained and inspected regularly
Apart from that, since the lifts are also powered equipment, PUWER is also applicable. PUWER refers to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations.
However, unlike LOLER, PUWER governs general work equipment and makes people or businesses who own this equipment responsible for it.
What Are The LOLER-Compliant Inspection Requirements?
Official LOLER requirements mandate that the commercially operated platform lifts and other lifting equipment are supposed to be inspected frequently. These requirements help buildings and businesses comply with official requirements.
How Frequently Should Lifts Be inspected As Per LOLER?
LOLER regulations state that lifts should be inspected every six months and once a year. It should be inspected every six months for passenger lifts. On the other hand, commercial lights should be inspected annually.
Apart from that, they should also be inspected:
- After first being installed
- In case of emergency failure
- When being used
What Happens in LOLER Inspections?
A LOLER inspection generally involves structural integrity tests, load testing, control device testing, and emergency testing. LOLER inspection professionals record all the data in a logbook, which they review during the next inspection.
Structural integrity checks involve checking the stability and strength of the commercial platform lift’s components. These components involve the framework or the body, counterweight, cables, and signs of damage.
Counterweights are components that balance the lift’s weight and allow it to move normally. They balance the natural weight of the elevator.
Safety device testing involves checking components like the emergency brakes and limit switches. Emergency brakes halt the commercial platform lift in case of power failure.
This prevents any unwanted issues.
Load testing involves checking whether the commercially operated lift can handle a certain amount of weight beyond its capacity. The reason for this is to ensure that it operates when the weight it carries exceeds its stated capacity.
For instance, if a commercially operated platform lift can handle 1350 kg, it is tested for 1500 kg. This ensures that a wheelchair bound person can be ferried in the lift, with an oxygen cylinder, if required.
Alternatively, it also ensures that workers in a building can exit in large groups in case of emergencies.
Control device testing involves checking whether indicators like lights and call buttons are functioning perfectly. This ensures that the lift can function without any issues.
Emergency testing involves checking whether the lift’s communication systems and emergency lights.
Some other aspects of a LOLER inspection include the following:
| Factor/Aspect | What It Checks |
| Maintenance Records | Whether the lift has been previously inspected or not |
| Operator competence | Whether the professional is a competent person or not, as defined by LOLER requirements |
| Risk Handling | Whether all measures to check hazards associated with the lift are in effect or not |
Table 1: Some Additional LOLER Inspection Components
Who Can Carry Out LOLER-Compliant Inspections?
Only a competent person can carry out LOLER inspections. A LOLER competent person refers to someone with the right qualifications, experience, and expertise.
These qualifications include LEEA diplomas, NEBOSH and IOSH courses, UKAS accreditations, and mechanical or engineering qualifications.
Let’s take a look at these qualifications and diplomas below.
| Type of Qualification | What It Means |
| LEEA diplomas | Refer to the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association diplomas, which qualify people for testing and examining lifts. |
| NEBOSH courses | Refer to the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health courses with lifting equipment-related components involved |
| IOSH courses | Refer to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health courses with lifting equipment-related components involved |
| An engineering or mechanical degree | Provides them with basic knowledge to handle the mechanic and technical aspects of the lift inspection |
| UKAS accreditation | Guarantees that a person has passed all requirements to test lifts |
Table 2: LOLER Inspection Qualifications
What Is The Step-by-Step LOLER-Compliant Inspection Process?
Take a look at the diagram table below to understand the various components of a compliant LOLER inspection:
| Step No | Step | What It Involves |
| 1 | Preparing for the inspection | Checking the documentation like maintenance records, design information and so on. Documenting the model and make of the lift Clearing the area around the lift to prevent collateral |
| 2 | Visual inspection | Physically inspecting the lift and its components for signs of damage and wear and tear. These components include the body, electrical cables, and emergency equipment |
| 3 | Operational inspection | Checking whether the components of the commercial platform lift function normally or not. For example, checking whether the doors and emergency indicators work or not |
| 4 | Documentation | Noting down all the results of the inspection in a logbook. Suggesting remedies for areas where hazards or discrepancies are observed Identifying areas where LOLER regulations are not being obeyed or followed |
Table 3: LOLER-Compliant Inspection Process
Wrapping Up
LOLER inspections help you comply with official regulations, keep your staff and visitors safe, and keep your operations running smoothly. So you should definitely carry have your lifts and lifting equipment inspections as per the required frequency.
Need To Arrange Your Next LOLER inspection?
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