Lifting Equipment Services in Gloucester & Gloucestershire

Testing/Inspection

If you use lifting equipment or lifting accessories at work, you have legal duties under LOLER and PUWER. Our experienced, qualified engineers carry out statutory examinations and inspections with clear documentation to support safe operation and compliance.

LOLER

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (L.O.L.E.R.), together with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (P.U.W.E.R.), came into force in 1998. These two pieces of legislation replaced the old 1961 Factories Act.

Under L.O.L.E.R., your lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined at intervals not exceeding 12 months, or sooner as stated in your risk assessments, depending on any hazards or frequency of use. Lifting accessories under the same legislation must be thoroughly examined within a period of 6 months, or again, as per your risk assessments.

Think of LOLER like an MOT for lifting equipment: it’s a legally required, impartial safety check to confirm equipment is safe for continued use. It’s not a box-ticking exercise — it’s about preventing failures that could harm people or disrupt your operation.

A LOLER thorough examination is a systematic and detailed examination carried out by a competent person, followed by a written report containing specific required information (Schedule 1).

LOLER examination intervals (typical)

Intervals depend on equipment type and use, and can be set via an examination scheme. HSE guidance commonly references:

• At least every 6 months if equipment is used to lift people

• At least every 6 months for lifting accessories

• At least every 12 months for other lifting equipment (or as set by a scheme)

(We’ll advise the most appropriate approach once we understand your equipment and usage.)

PUWER: what it is (and how it relates)

PUWER applies broadly to work equipment used in the workplace and includes requirements around suitability, maintenance and inspection in certain circumstances (Regulation 6).

For lifting equipment, a LOLER thorough examination often covers many safety-critical aspects of inspection, but PUWER may still require checks relating to safe use and non-lifting safety features (depending on the equipment and risks).

Competent person and impartiality

The law requires thorough examinations to be carried out by a competent person. We provide competent, experienced examiners and clear reporting.

You can appoint a competent provider of your choice to carry out examinations. Many businesses choose an independent provider for a practical, cost-effective approach (while still meeting legal duties).

What you receive

• Thorough examination/inspection carried out by a competent person

• Clear reporting and certification

• Practical guidance if defects or risks are identified

• Optional planned scheduling so inspections aren’t missed

Where required, we can also help you maintain straightforward records that stand up to audits.

Record keeping and history

On completion, we can register your company particulars, equipment information and test history in our records so it’s available upon request.

Testing of new or repaired lifting equipment

We can also carry out tests on new or repaired lifting equipment either on your site or at our premises. Calibrated tensile load and compression cells are available up to a 50-tonne capacity.

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Equipment & accessories we examine under LOLER (typical examples)

Lifting accessories

• Webbing slings, round slings

• Chain slings and components (master links, couplers, shortening clutches)

• Shackles (bow/D), hooks, swivels

• Lifting points/eyebolts/swivel hoist rings

• Lifting beams, spreader beams, lifting frames

• Clamps (plate clamps, beam clamps) and other lifting attachments

• Other accessories used for attaching a load to lifting equipment

Lifting equipment

• Chain hoists and lever hoists

• Electric hoists (including wire rope/chain types, where applicable)

• Overhead cranes and runway systems (where applicable)

• Jib cranes/lifting arms (where applicable)

• Other workplace lifting equipment and lifting systems

Not sure what you’ve got?
Send us an equipment list or photos and we’ll confirm what’s in scope and what you need. If you refer to it as lifting accessories, lifting tackle, lifting gear or lifting equipment, we can usually help.

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FAQs

How often do I need a LOLER thorough examination?
This depends on the type of equipment/accessories and how they’re used. If you share an equipment list (or photos), we’ll advise the appropriate approach.

Do you provide certificates and reports?
Yes — you’ll receive clear documentation and results, with practical actions if anything needs attention.

Can you attend our site in Gloucestershire?
Yes. We’re Gloucester-based and regularly attend customer sites across the county.

What equipment do you cover?
We support a wide range of lifting equipment and lifting accessories. If you’re unsure, contact us with details and we’ll confirm.

Hire

Need lifting equipment for a short-term job, shutdown, install or project? We have a complete range of lifting equipment and accessories, mechanical handling equipment and safety harnesses for hire. All stock is in excellent condition and has a valid test certificate therefore, ready for immediate and safe use.

Hire support includes:

• Help choosing appropriate equipment

• Compliance-led documentation support (where applicable)

• Flexible hire periods depending on requirements