School Lifting Equipment Pre-Use Inspection and Safe-Working-Load Checklist
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Who this checklist is for
- Staff and contractors responsible for using, inspecting or supervising lifting equipment and lifting accessories in maintained and academy primary and secondary schools in England.
- Jurisdiction
- england
12 checklist steps
Blank response areas · preview only
Identify the equipment
Response required
Record the equipment or accessory identification, its location and the intended lifting task before carrying out the inspection.
Equipment or accessory ID; location; intended task
Confirm the equipment is within scope
Confirm that lifting equipment or a lifting accessory is present and that this pre-use or operational check forms part of the school's control arrangements for this equipment.
Choose one
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Check user competence and instructions
Confirm that the person carrying out the check and using the equipment is authorised, competent for the task and has access to the equipment-specific instructions.
- Yes
- No
- Not applicable
Notes
Check safe-working-load information
Check that the equipment or accessory is clearly marked or otherwise provided with legible safe-working-load information. For chain and wire slings, check the durable tag, label, ferrule or master link where applicable.
Choose one
- Present and legible
- Present but unclear or damaged
- Missing
- Not applicable to this equipment
Check configuration-specific limits
Where the safe working load varies with configuration, check that the information for the configuration to be used is available and corresponds to the equipment's current configuration.
Choose one
- Confirmed for the intended configuration
- Not confirmed
- Safe working load does not vary with configuration
- Not applicable
Record the applicable safe working load
Response required
Record the safe working load or the applicable configuration-specific safe-working-load information exactly as shown on the equipment, accessory or associated information.
Record the marked or provided safe-working-load information
Inspect visible condition
Inspect the equipment and accessories for visible damage, deformation, wear, corrosion, contamination, missing parts, defective guards, damaged labels or any other condition that could affect safe operation.
Choose one
- No visible defect identified
- Defect or damage identified
- Inspection cannot be completed
Check the intended setup
Confirm that the equipment, accessory, load, attachment points and operating area are set up for the intended task in accordance with the equipment-specific instructions and the school's control arrangements.
Choose one
- Confirmed
- Not confirmed
- Not applicable
Check assembly or installation status where applicable
If the equipment requires assembly or installation before use, confirm that it has been assembled or installed at this location and that the required competent-person examination after assembly or installation, before use, has been completed. If this condition does not apply, record that it is not applicable.
Choose one
- Applicable and confirmed
- Applicable but not confirmed
- Assembly or installation condition does not apply
Check examination status
Check the available examination records or equipment information for evidence that the equipment has the required LOLER thorough examination arrangements. This pre-use checklist does not replace a LOLER thorough examination.
Choose one
- Relevant evidence is available
- Relevant evidence is not available
- Not applicable to this equipment
Decide whether the equipment may be used
Do not use the equipment if a required check is not confirmed, information is missing or illegible, a defect is identified, the condition cannot be inspected, or the required examination evidence is unavailable. Follow the school's withdrawal and escalation arrangements.
Choose one
- No issue identified during this check; proceed in accordance with instructions
- Withdraw from use and escalate
- Check cannot be concluded or equipment is not applicable
Record defects and escalation
Record any defect, missing information, unresolved condition, withdrawal action, person notified and reference to any maintenance or examination follow-up.
Defects, action taken, person notified and follow-up reference