Passenger lifts used at work must generally undergo a thorough examination at least every six months under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). Alternatively, examinations may be carried out in accordance with a written examination scheme drawn up by a competent person.
These statutory examinations help identify defects that could affect safety. They are separate from routine lift servicing, which must also be arranged at intervals appropriate to the equipment and how it is used.
For building owners, facilities managers and those responsible for lift safety, understanding the difference is essential to keeping passenger lifts safe, reliable and compliant.
Passenger Lift Inspection Requirements in the UK
The main regulations governing passenger lifts used at work are LOLER and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
Under LOLER, passenger lifts used in workplaces must be thoroughly examined by a competent person at the required intervals. The usual interval is six months for lifting equipment used to carry people, unless an appropriate examination scheme specifies another schedule.
PUWER requires work equipment to be maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair. This means arranging suitable maintenance and any necessary inspections between statutory thorough examinations.
Building managers should also consult the Health and Safety Executive’s guidance on passenger lifts to understand how these duties apply to their premises. Requirements can differ for lifts in purely private domestic settings.
How Often Should Different Types of Lifting Equipment Be Examined?
The normal LOLER thorough examination intervals for lifting equipment used at work are:
| Equipment | Normal thorough examination interval |
|---|---|
| Passenger lifts and other equipment used to lift people | Every 6 months |
| Goods-only lifts and other lifting equipment not used to lift people | Every 12 months |
| Lifting accessories, such as slings and chains | Every 6 months |
These are the standard intervals unless a competent person has established a suitable examination scheme. Exceptional circumstances, such as serious damage or significant alterations, may also require an additional examination.
A passenger lift’s six-monthly thorough examination is not the same as a routine service visit, and an annual inspection alone will not ordinarily satisfy LOLER requirements for a lift used to carry people.
What Is the Difference Between a LOLER Examination and Lift Servicing?
Although they are sometimes discussed together, a LOLER thorough examination and routine lift maintenance serve different purposes.
LOLER thorough examination
A thorough examination is a systematic assessment of the lift’s safety by a competent person. Its purpose is to identify defects or deterioration that could make the equipment unsafe. The examiner provides a written report and identifies any necessary action.
For a passenger lift covered by LOLER, the examination is normally required every six months, or as specified by a suitable examination scheme.
Routine lift servicing and maintenance
Routine servicing keeps the lift operating correctly between statutory examinations. Depending on the lift and the maintenance programme, this can include checking door operation, inspecting components, lubricating moving parts, making adjustments and identifying developing faults.
There is no single legal rule requiring every passenger lift to have exactly two, four or six service visits per year. The appropriate frequency depends on factors such as usage, age, design, condition, manufacturer recommendations and the operating environment.
A heavily used passenger lift in a hospital, hotel or office may need more frequent attention than a lightly used lift. Importantly, servicing does not replace the statutory thorough examination.
At Deltron Lifts, our lift maintenance and servicing packages are tailored to the equipment and the demands placed on it.
What Happens During a Passenger Lift Inspection?
A LOLER thorough examination focuses on the parts and systems that could affect the safe use of the lift. The exact checks depend on the lift’s design, condition and the competent person’s assessment.
An examination may include:
- Examining safety-critical mechanical components and signs of wear or deterioration.
- Checking relevant doors, interlocks and protective systems.
- Reviewing the condition and operation of components associated with the lift’s safe movement and stopping.
- Carrying out functional checks, measurements or further tests where necessary.
- Reviewing relevant maintenance information and previous examination findings.
Not every examination involves dismantling the lift or carrying out a load test. The methods used should be appropriate to the equipment and any suspected defects.
What happens after the examination?
The competent person issues a written report recording the examination and any defects found. If a defect presents an existing or imminent risk of serious personal injury, the equipment should not continue to be used until the risk has been addressed. Relevant dangerous defects must also be reported to the enforcing authority in accordance with LOLER.
Those responsible for the lift should act on the findings, arrange necessary repairs and retain the required records.
Who Can Carry Out a Passenger Lift LOLER Examination?
A LOLER thorough examination must be carried out by a competent person with the practical and theoretical knowledge and experience needed to identify defects and assess their significance.
The examiner must also be sufficiently independent and impartial to make an objective judgement about the lift’s safety. They do not necessarily have to work for a different company, but they should not be assessing their own routine maintenance work.
If you are arranging a LOLER inspection for a passenger lift, confirm that the examiner is appropriately competent and that the examination and reporting arrangements satisfy the applicable requirements.
When Might a Passenger Lift Need an Additional Examination?
A six-monthly schedule does not mean that a lift can simply be left unchecked between examinations. Additional thorough examinations may be required following exceptional circumstances that could compromise safety, including:
- An accident, significant damage or equipment failure.
- Major modifications or replacement of safety-critical components.
- An extended period out of use where deterioration may have occurred.
- Significant changes in the lift’s conditions of use.
If a lift starts making unusual noises, moving erratically or developing door faults, report the issue promptly and arrange an appropriate assessment. Do not wait for the next scheduled LOLER examination to investigate a potential safety problem.
Who Is Responsible for Passenger Lift Inspections?
Responsibility depends on the premises and how the lift is provided and used. For lifts used at work, the dutyholder may be an employer, building owner or person in control of the equipment.
As a practical starting point, those managing passenger lifts should:
- Know when each lift’s next thorough examination is due.
- Arrange examinations by a competent person and keep the written reports.
- Put an appropriate preventative maintenance programme in place.
- Act promptly on reported defects and maintenance recommendations.
- Keep clear records of examinations, servicing, repairs and relevant follow-up action.
For further detail, consult the HSE’s guidance on thorough examinations and inspections of lifting equipment.
Keep Your Passenger Lift Safe and Compliant
For most passenger lifts used at work, the key requirement is straightforward: a LOLER thorough examination every six months, unless a suitable examination scheme sets a different interval. That examination should sit alongside a maintenance programme tailored to the lift’s usage and condition.
Deltron Lifts supports building owners and facilities managers with lift maintenance and servicing and LOLER inspection services. Contact our team to discuss the requirements for your building and lift equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a passenger lift inspection required every six months?
Yes. Passenger lifts used at work generally require a LOLER thorough examination at least every six months, unless a written examination scheme drawn up by a competent person specifies different intervals.
Is an annual lift inspection enough?
Not usually for a passenger lift covered by LOLER. The standard interval for equipment used to lift people is six months. Goods-only lifting equipment generally has a 12-month interval, unless an appropriate examination scheme applies.
How often should passenger lifts be serviced?
There is no universal fixed number of service visits for every passenger lift. Servicing frequency should be based on the lift’s type, age, condition, usage, environment and manufacturer recommendations. Servicing is separate from LOLER thorough examinations.
Can a lift maintenance engineer carry out a LOLER examination?
A suitably competent person can carry out the examination, but they must be independent and impartial. The person examining the lift should not be assessing their own routine maintenance work.
What happens if a passenger lift fails a LOLER examination?
The written report will identify the defects and any required action. Where a defect presents an existing or imminent risk of serious injury, the lift must not continue in use until that risk has been addressed. Other defects must be remedied within the period specified in the report.
