LOLER, explained for forklift fleets.
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 — the periodic 'MOT' for anything that lifts.
LOLER (the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) applies to equipment used at work for lifting or lowering loads — which includes forklift trucks. On top of the day-to-day duties under PUWER, LOLER adds a requirement for a thorough examination by a competent person at defined intervals.
What counts as a thorough examination
A thorough examination is a systematic, detailed inspection by a competent person — independent and suitably qualified — to spot defects that could affect safe operation. It's more rigorous than the operator's pre-use check, and it results in a written report.
How often forklifts must be examined
- At least every 12 months for equipment used to lift loads.
- At least every 6 months where the forklift is used to lift people, or where risk is higher.
- In line with an examination scheme if a competent person has drawn one up for your equipment.
Records and next-due dates
You must keep the examination reports and act on any defects identified. The practical challenge is rarely the examination itself — it's tracking when each truck is next due across a mixed fleet, and proving the dates were never missed.
How Asset360 keeps LOLER on schedule
Asset360 maintains a rolling thorough-examination calendar per truck, flags what's due before it lapses, and keeps the LOLER record alongside the daily-check evidence and defect history — so the full picture for any machine is one click away.
Frequently asked questions
Do forklifts need a LOLER thorough examination?
Yes. A forklift is lifting equipment, so it falls under LOLER. It needs a thorough examination by a competent person at least every 12 months — or every 6 months if it's used to lift people, or in line with an examination scheme.
How often is a LOLER thorough examination required?
At least every 12 months for lifting loads, every 6 months where the equipment lifts people or carries a higher risk, or at intervals set out in a written examination scheme drawn up by a competent person.
Is LOLER the same as a daily check?
No. The daily pre-use check (under PUWER) is done by the operator each shift. The LOLER thorough examination is a separate, more detailed inspection by a competent person at defined intervals — think of it like an MOT for lifting equipment.
How does Asset360 handle LOLER?
Asset360 keeps a rolling thorough-examination calendar per truck, tracks the next-due date, and surfaces reminders before it lapses — so examinations are booked in time and the certificates sit alongside the rest of the compliance record.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Refer to current HSE guidance and your own risk assessments.