LOLER load-lifting thorough examination checklist
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 7 October 2026
- Reviewed
- 7 October 2026
- Who this checklist is for
- Primary and secondary schools in England, including maintained schools and academies, excluding independent schools.
- Jurisdiction
- england
13 checklist steps
Blank response areas · preview only
Confirm that the checklist applies
Confirm that the school uses lifting equipment or lifting accessories at work to lift loads, and identify whether a written examination scheme specifies an interval different from the default intervals.
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Notes
Identify the equipment
Response required
Record the equipment or accessory covered by the examination, including its local asset or identification reference where one is available.
Equipment description and identification reference
Locate the written thorough-examination report
Locate and review the written thorough-examination report for the identified equipment or accessory.
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Notes
Check report identification
Confirm that the report identifies the equipment or accessory examined and can be matched to the equipment identified in this checklist.
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Notes
Check the examiner
Response required
Confirm that the thorough examination was arranged and carried out by a competent person, and record the examiner or examining organisation named in the report.
Examiner or examining organisation
Record the examination timing
Response required
Record the examination date and the next examination date or interval stated in the report, if provided.
Examination date and next examination date or interval
Check the applicable examination interval
Confirm which basis applies: a written examination scheme, the default 12-month interval for lifting equipment used to lift loads, or the 6-month interval for lifting accessories. If the equipment is used to lift people, confirm the 6-month interval unless a written examination scheme specifies otherwise.
Choose all that apply
- Written examination scheme specifies the interval
- Lifting equipment used to lift loads: 12-month default interval
- Equipment used to lift people: 6-month default interval
- Lifting accessory: 6-month default interval
Confirm that the report is current
Using the applicable written examination scheme or default interval, confirm that the report remains current for the date of this review.
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Notes
Review defects and restrictions
Response required
Review the report for identified defects, restrictions, or other conditions affecting use, and record the relevant details.
Defects, restrictions, or state that none are recorded
Check corrective actions
Response required
Confirm that corrective actions arising from the report have been addressed, or record the outstanding action, responsible person, and planned completion date.
Completed actions or outstanding action details
Check for additional examination triggers
Check whether the equipment has experienced an accident or dangerous occurrence, a significant change in conditions of use, replacement of parts subject to thorough examination, or a long period of inaction since the last examination.
Choose all that apply
- No additional trigger identified
- Accident or dangerous occurrence
- Significant change in conditions of use
- Replacement of parts subject to thorough examination
- Long period of inaction
Address any additional examination trigger
Response required
Where an additional examination trigger has been identified, confirm that the need for a further thorough examination has been addressed before the equipment is used as applicable, and record the resulting action or decision.
Additional examination action or decision
Retain the report
Confirm that the written thorough-examination report and records of actions taken are retained in the school’s equipment records.
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Notes