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LOLER thorough examination
The report of thorough examination for tail lifts and other lifting equipment.
This is general information for UK goods-vehicle operators. It is not legal advice. Use the official source on this page, and your operator licence conditions, before you rely on it.
What it is
Lifting equipment, including many tail lifts and lorry-mounted cranes, must be thoroughly examined under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). A competent person issues a report. Equipment used to lift people is examined at least every 6 months. Other lifting equipment is examined at least every 12 months, unless the competent person’s scheme sets a shorter interval. A tail lift that lifts people falls in the 6-month group.
Who holds it
The employer or the person in control of the lifting equipment keeps the current report of thorough examination, and the previous reports, where the vehicle is used.
At a visit
An HSE or DVSA check can ask for the report and for evidence that defects in it were put right before the equipment was used again. A service stamp is not a substitute for the thorough examination report.