Businesses using forklifts, telehandlers, MEWPs, hoists or other lifting equipment often ask the same question: if the equipment has a valid LOLER certificate, do we still need daily checks? The short answer is yes. They do different jobs.
What is a LOLER thorough examination?
Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, lifting equipment must have a thorough examination - a systematic, detailed examination by a competent person, resulting in a written report. Unless there is a written examination scheme drawn up by a competent person, HSE says thorough examinations should happen at least every:
- 6 months for lifting equipment used to lift people (for example MEWPs, or a forklift with a working platform)
- 6 months for all lifting accessories (slings, chains, shackles, removable attachments)
- 12 months for all other lifting equipment, such as a standard forklift lifting goods
A thorough examination is also needed before first use (in most cases) and after exceptional circumstances, such as damage or a major repair.
What is a daily or pre-use check?
A pre-use check is a quick check by the operator before using the equipment, following the manufacturer's handbook - tyres, brakes, steering, hydraulics, chains, controls, alarms and so on. It catches the faults that develop between examinations: the brake that is slowly getting worse, the hydraulic hose that has started to weep, the damaged tyre.
Many of these items - brakes and steering, for example - are not lifting parts at all, so they fall under PUWER rather than LOLER. A truck can have a perfectly valid LOLER report and still have a dangerous brake fault.
Why you need both
- Thorough examination - deep, infrequent, done by a specialist. Confirms the equipment is fundamentally sound.
- Periodic PUWER inspection - risk-based, covers the safety-critical parts that are not lifting parts.
- Daily pre-use check - quick, frequent, done by the operator. Catches problems as they develop and stops a defective machine being used today.
A current LOLER report on its own does not show that every other safety duty has been met.
Keeping track of all three
Tracking different check types across a fleet is where paper systems usually fall down. Checkmate lets you set up each check with its own checklist and timeframe. The device on each machine flashes red when a check is due and turns green when it's done, and every report is stored with a date, time and name - so you can show at a glance that daily checks are happening in between the specialist examinations.
Frequently asked questions
How often does a forklift need a LOLER inspection?
At least every 12 months for a forklift lifting goods, or every 6 months if it is used to lift people or has removable lifting attachments - unless a competent person has drawn up an examination scheme with different intervals.
Do I still need daily checks if I have a LOLER certificate?
Yes. A thorough examination is a snapshot. Daily pre-use checks catch faults that develop in between, including safety-critical parts like brakes and steering that LOLER does not cover.
Who can carry out a LOLER thorough examination?
A competent person with the technical knowledge and experience of that type of equipment, who is independent enough to make objective judgements.