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Passenger & Goods Lift Inspection, Testing & Thorough Examination (LOLER 1998)

Stay Compliant with LOLER 1998 – Nationwide Lift Inspection Services from Qualified Engineers

PASSENGER GOOD LIFT INSPECTIONS

Passenger Lift Inspection and Thorough Examination (LOLER 1998)

Passenger lifts, goods lifts, and dumbwaiters used in workplaces must undergo regular inspection and thorough examination to ensure they remain safe and legally compliant. Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), lift owners and dutyholders are legally responsible for ensuring lifts are thoroughly examined by a competent person at defined intervals. These examinations identify defects, deterioration, or safety risks before they can lead to equipment failure or injury.

Plant and Safety provides independent passenger lift inspections, goods lift examinations, and dumbwaiter inspections in accordance with LOLER and PUWER requirements.

Lift Passenger & Goods Lift Inspection & Thorough Examination

What Is a Passenger Lift Thorough Examination?

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) introduced new requirements for the safe provision and use of lifting equipment. A thorough examination is a systematic and detailed inspection of a lift and its safety-critical components, carried out by a competent person to ensure it remains safe for continued use.

This examination:
Identifies defects or deterioration that could pose a safety risk
Verifies that safety mechanisms function correctly
Confirms the lift is safe to remain in service
Provides a statutory Report of Thorough Examination
Specifies when the next examination is due

If serious defects are identified, they must be reported immediately, and the lift may need to be removed from service until repaired.

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Passenger and Goods Lifts inspection - LOLER compliant lift testing by Plant & Safety

What Is Included in a Lift Inspection and Thorough Examination?

While preventive maintenance involves routine servicing, a thorough examination is a formal assessment aimed at verifying safety and regulatory compliance.

Our passenger lift inspections include detailed checks on:
Door mechanisms and interlocks (car and landing doors)
Gearing and drive system components
Governors and safety gear
Suspension ropes
Overload protection devices
Electrical systems (earthing, bonding, fuses, safety circuits)
Braking systems, buffers, and overspeed devices
Hydraulics and related control systems

MORE INFORMATION ON LOLER 1998

Who Is Responsible for Lift Inspection Compliance?

The dutyholder — typically the employer, building owner, facilities manager, or responsible person — must ensure lifts are thoroughly examined and maintained safely.

This includes ensuring:
Thorough examinations are completed at required intervals
Reports of thorough examination are obtained and retained
Defects identified are addressed promptly
Lifts remain safe for continued use

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in enforcement action and increased safety risk.

How Often Do Passenger and Goods Lifts Require Inspection?

LOLER Regulation 9 requires lifts to be examined at specific minimum intervals:
Passenger lifts: every 6 months
Goods lifts: every 12 months
Dumbwaiters: every 12 months (unless used to lift people or specified otherwise)
More frequent examinations may be required under a written scheme of examination

These statutory intervals ensure deterioration or faults are identified before they become dangerous. Failure to comply can result in enforcement action, business disruption, and serious safety risks. Ensure your lift is compliant with LOLER 1998 and safe for use.

Passenger and Goods Lifts_2

HSE LIFT TOROUGH EXAMINATION CASE STUDY

Why Passenger and Goods Lift Thorough Examination Matters

A property developer was fined after a defective passenger and goods lift injured a worker due to lack of LOLER testing.
Regular thorough examination would have identified the defects before the incident.

Click to see the full case study

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PASSENGER LIFT TESTING AND INSPECTION

Why Choose Plant & Safety for Lift Inspections?

Qualified Competent Persons (LOLER Compliant)

Our engineers meet the Competent Person criteria set out in LOLER: theoretical knowledge, hands-on lift experience, and independence from maintenance activities.

National Coverage & Fast Scheduling

Whether you operate one passenger lift or manage hundreds of lift assets across multiple sites, we can arrange prompt, nationwide inspection visits.

Clear, Actionable LOLER Reports

Following every lift examination, you receive a thorough written report outlining, defects, remedial recommendations, risk level (immediate danger vs. advisory) and next due date

Fully Independent

It is not advisable for the same person who performs routine maintenance to carry out the thorough examination, as they are then responsible for assessing their own work. (HSE Guidance)

GOODS LIFT TESTING AND INSPECTION

Passenger Lift, Goods Lift, and Dumbwaiter Inspection Services

Our team of highly qualified engineers can deliver lift inspection, testing and thorough examination services on the following:

Passenger Lifts 
Service Lifts
Good only Lifts
Geared and Gearless Traction Lifts
Hydraulic Goods Lifts
Machine-Room-Less (MRL) Lifts
Vacuum (Air Driven) Lifts

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Goods-only lift inspection – LOLER compliant lift testing by Plant & Safety

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Dumbwaiter Testing and Inspection - LOLER compliant lift testing by Plant & Safety

DUMBWAITER TESTING AND INSPECTION

Dumbwaiter Inspection and Thorough Examination

Dumbwaiter Inspection fall under LOLER and must be examined regularly depending on load rating and use.

We inspect during a dumbwaiter inspection:
 Guide rails & runners
 Door interlocks
 Hoisting mechanisms
 Safety devices
 Structural support condition

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