Skip to content

Breakdown or urgent? Call 0800 920 2660

Service

LOLER thorough examinations

Forklift trucks are lifting equipment, and the law requires them to be thoroughly examined by a competent person. We'll tell you when yours is due and carry it out.

Engineer inspecting a Hangcha forklift during a thorough examination

What the law requires

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) apply to lifting equipment used at work, and that includes forklift trucks. A thorough examination is a formal inspection that confirms the equipment is still safe to use.

  • Most forklift trucks need a thorough examination at least once every 12 months.
  • Equipment that lifts people, such as man-up order pickers, needs one at least every 6 months.
  • Trucks working in demanding conditions, or showing signs of wear, may need examining more often.

Call us and we'll tell you when your next thorough examination is due.

Not all examinations are equal

A thorough examination should cover both the lifting and the driving parts of the truck. Brakes and steering need checking along with the mast, chains and forks, because a truck that lifts safely but can't stop safely isn't safe to use.

Why it matters

  • Legal compliance: regular examinations keep your business within the law and help you avoid fines.
  • Workplace safety: an examination finds faults and hazards before they cause accidents or injuries.
  • Reliability: well maintained trucks break down less, so you lose less time.
  • Insurance: many insurers ask for proof of LOLER compliance.

Your report

Our engineers carry out the examination, give you a detailed report and recommend any maintenance the truck needs. Keeping accurate records, and acting quickly on any defects, supports both safety and compliance. If work is needed, we can arrange the servicing or repair. See servicing and repairs.