Thorough examination

The periodic detailed examination of lifting equipment by a competent person under LOLER, with a written report, at six- or twelve-month intervals or to a written scheme.

A thorough examination is a systematic and detailed examination of lifting equipment and its safety-critical parts, carried out by a competent person, to detect defects that are or might become dangerous. It is more than a visual inspection and less than a full strip-down: the competent person looks at structure, mechanisms, hydraulics, ropes and chains, safety devices, controls, markings and documents, and tests where the scheme requires. The report, to LOLER Schedule 1, states what was examined, the defects found and their urgency, and when the next examination is due.

Intervals: at least every six months for equipment used to lift people and for lifting accessories; at least every twelve months for other lifting equipment; or according to a written scheme of examination drawn up by a competent person. Also after installation or assembly at a new site, and after exceptional circumstances (overload, damage, a long period out of use). The competent person is usually an engineer surveyor from the insurer or a specialist inspection body; they need enough independence to report honestly, so not the operator or the fitter who maintains it.

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