“LOLER engineer” is a term commonly used for the person carrying out a thorough examination. The key requirement is that they are a competent person for the equipment being examined.
The examiner assesses the equipment and records their findings.
LOLER stands for the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. A thorough examination is a detailed assessment of lifting equipment and safety-critical parts, followed by a written report.
The examiner uses their judgement to identify defects and assess their significance. The methods can include visual checks, functional checks and measurements; additional testing depends on what is needed.
HSE guidance on thorough examinations explains the assessment and reporting requirements.
Competence and independence both matter.
The person needs relevant practical and theoretical knowledge and experience. They must also be sufficiently independent and impartial to assess the equipment objectively.
HSE advises that the examiner should not be the same person who routinely maintains the equipment. An external employer is not always required; independence is the essential point.
We do not carry out LOLER examinations in-house. We work with independent third-party providers to keep the examination separate from our own maintenance and repair work.
We can help arrange the examination or put you directly in touch with a provider.
How is this different from a maintenance engineer’s work?
Maintenance looks after the equipment through servicing, adjustments and repairs. Thorough examination assesses its condition for continued safe use. Neither replaces the other.
| Role | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Maintenance provider | Agreed service visits, repair support and records of the work carried out. |
| Examination provider | A thorough examination and a report of the findings and requirements. |
| Lift owner or dutyholder | Arrangements for maintenance and examination, records, and action on the findings. |
When discussing cover, ask how these activities are arranged and quoted. A maintenance contract should not leave you guessing who is organising the examination. Our maintenance page explains Forge’s service packages.
Why might the examiner request supplementary tests?
The examiner may need additional evidence about particular components or functions. They determine whether testing is necessary; not every lift needs every test at every examination.
If you receive a request, keep its wording, references and any deadline together. Send these details to the company arranging the tests so the scope can be discussed accurately.
Forge can help with supplementary testing. The findings are recorded for the examining body to review. Completing the tests does not itself resolve a defect identified in the report.
Read the report as a record of findings and required action.
The report identifies the equipment, examination dates, defects and any required remedial work or deadlines. The examining body issues it; it is separate from Forge’s service reports.
Dangerous defects can require the lift to be taken out of service. Other defects may have a specified deadline. Follow the report’s restrictions and ask the examiner to explain anything unclear.
Share relevant findings with your maintenance or repair provider and agree how the work will be followed up. Keep the examination report and subsequent work records together.
HSE’s guidance for lift owners explains the dutyholder’s responsibilities and action following an examination.
Before the visit
What should you have ready?
Confirm the provider’s requirements when arranging attendance. A useful starting point is:
- The site address, lift IDs and the number of lifts involved.
- The previous examination report and next due date, if available.
- Relevant maintenance records and details of recent repairs or changes.
- A site contact and arrangements for access to the equipment.
- Any known faults, restrictions or outstanding requests for testing.
- Agreement on who receives the report and follows up its findings.
For equipment covered by LOLER, examination timing depends on the applicable interval or examination scheme. Confirm the due date with your provider; our examination arrangements page gives an overview.
How Forge fits into the process.
Tell us where the lift is, when the examination is due and whether you want help with the arrangements or a direct introduction. The independent provider carries out the examination and issues its report.
If the findings lead to a request for repairs or supplementary tests, we can discuss that work separately. Questions about the examiner’s conclusions or requirements should go back to the examining body.
You can explore our LOLER examination support, repair service and supplementary testing for the next step.