If you’re responsible for managing buildings with lifts, chances are you’ve heard terms like ‘LOLER inspection’, ‘lift insurance inspection’, or simply ‘lift inspection’ thrown around, often interchangeably. But here’s the crucial point: not all lift inspections are the same, and understanding the differences is essential to maintaining safety, compliance, and control over your assets.
LOLER Inspections: The Legal Requirement
LOLER inspections (carried out under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) are statutory. Also known as a ‘Thorough Examination’, they must be performed by a ‘competent and impartial’ person, typically from an insurance provider or an independent inspection body.
The purpose? To assess whether the lift is safe for continued use, detecting imminent or developing safety risks. Unlike other types of lift inspection, LOLER reports must contain specific details outlined in Schedule 1 of the LOLER regulations, including:
- Identification of the equipment and premises
- Date of the last and next scheduled examination
- Safe working load
- Reason for inspection (e.g. statutory interval, post-installation)
- Any defects which could pose a danger
- Details of tests carried out
- Details of the person carrying out the examination
- Details of the person validating the examination
How often is a LOLER Inspection Required?
You’re probably wondering, if LOLER Inspections are a legal requirement, how often do I need to have one undertaken on my lift, and are there any exceptions? The answer depends on the type of lift you have and whether the lift carries people. The exception is if the lift is not used by people for work purposes.
Passenger Lifts: Every Six Months
If your lift is used to carry people only, it falls under the category of a passenger lift and must undergo a LOLER inspection at least once every six months. The reason for this higher frequency is simple: the potential risk to human life. With passengers relying on lifts every day, any defect or deterioration must be identified and addressed as early as possible to ensure safety and legal compliance.
Passenger-Goods Lifts: Every Six Months
Lifts designed to carry both passengers and goods are classed the same as passenger lifts under LOLER regulations. As such, a LOLER inspection must be undertaken at least every six months. Even if a lift is primarily used to move goods, if a person can activate floor call buttons from within the lift car, this is not a goods lift in the true sense of the word, and the more stringent six-month inspection schedule applies. This ensures the same safety standards are upheld for any lift with the potential to carry people.
Goods Only Lifts: Every Twelve Months
Non-person-carrying lifts are commonly referred to as goods lifts. Goods lifts have no means of selecting a floor by way of call buttons within the lift car and can only be operated from the landing floor selection buttons.
Since these lifts are not intended to carry passengers, the risk is considered lower and therefore, a LOLER inspection can be completed in twelve-month intervals.
When LOLER Doesn’t Apply
The LOLER Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) clearly states:
“LOLER does not apply to equipment provided for use by the public – for example, a lift provided for residents in a block of flats…”
“However, if persons use such equipment during the course of their work, LOLER will apply.”
We appreciate that it can be confusing to determine whether LOLER applies to your lift. To help clarify this, we have provided some examples:
| Scenario | Does LOLER apply? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| The lift is installed in a private residential home and is ONLY used by residents/family. | No | The lift is not considered “work equipment” under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) or LOLER, as it is used only in a domestic setting by private individuals. There is no employment relationship or work context involved. |
| The lift is installed in a residential block and is used by both residents living there and people at work, such as cleaners, contractors, and caretakers. | Yes | While residents’ use is not covered by LOLER, once the lift is used by someone “at work” it becomes work equipment under LOLER. This triggers the requirement for thorough examination by a competent person. |
| The lift is installed in a shopping centre and is used by both the public and staff within the building. | Yes | The lift is part of a commercial workplace, and staff (e.g. cleaners, retail workers, security) use it during the course of their duties. It is unambiguously work equipment, making LOLER fully applicable. Public use is irrelevant under LOLER. Instead, it’s the staff use “at work” that triggers compliance obligations. |
Lift Inspections: A Proactive Review
In contrast, a lift inspection (in the broader, non-LOLER sense) is typically a detailed assessment of a lift’s performance, condition, and ongoing maintenance. These inspections come in various forms, such as condition surveys, maintenance audits, or asset overview and are not required by law. They are, however, highly recommended for dutyholders who want to stay ahead of reliability issues and costly surprises.
Commissioned independently, these inspections offer valuable insight into:
- Equipment condition
- Maintenance effectiveness
- Lifecycle forecasting and budgeting
- Risk mitigation and project feasibility
When Might You Need an Independent Lift Inspection?
Over the course a lift’s life, there are key points when an independent lift inspection becomes essential. Unlike LOLER, which is time-driven, these are triggered by performance, planning needs, or risk. Here are some of the most common scenarios where an inspection is strongly recommended:
1. The lift is over 15 years old
As lifts age, components wear down, performance may decline, and the risk of failure increases. Once your lift passes the 15-year mark, it’s wise to get an objective view of its condition. A lift condition survey at this stage can help identify wear and tear, safety risks, and whether planning for modernisation or major works should begin.
2. When a lift has become unreliable
If your lift is experiencing frequent breakdowns, slow response times, or erratic behaviour, it’s time for a closer look. Again, a lift condition survey can help uncover the root causes of poor reliability, whether it’s due to ageing parts, poor maintenance, or more serious underlying issues, and recommend clear next steps to restore dependable performance.
3. You have concerns about maintenance
If you’re unsure whether your current maintenance provider is doing a thorough job, a lift maintenance audit can give you peace of mind or highlight problems you may not have been aware of. This type of inspection is a smart move when considering changing service providers, renegotiating contracts, or simply wanting to ensure you’re getting good value for your money.
4. Pre/Post-Acquisition due diligence
Whether buying or having recently acquired a building, an asset overview forms a crucial part of the technical due diligence process. It can reveal hidden liabilities, upcoming costs, or compliance issues that may not be immediately visible. It will provide a snapshot of the lift’s current condition and highlight upcoming needs, allowing you to build accurate CAPEX forecasts and avoid unexpected costs.
5. You want an independent lift risk assessment
Whether you’re updating your building’s health and safety documentation or responding to new regulations, an independent lift risk assessment can help you identify potential hazards and implement appropriate control measures, essential for compliance and duty of care.
6. You’re exploring a lift project’s feasibility
When planning a new lift installation or a major modernisation, a feasibility study can help assess whether your existing structure and building services can accommodate the project. It ensures your plans are practical, compliant, and cost-effective before you move forward.
What About Lift Maintenance Visits?
This is where confusion can sometimes creep in. While LOLER and independent inspections serve compliance and strategic planning, lift maintenance visits are your frontline defence in day-to-day lift performance.
These visits are carried out by your maintenance provider as part of your service contract. They typically include:
- Visual checks for damage, wear, or misuse
- Lubrication of components
- Minor adjustements
- Cleaning of machinery spaces
- Functional checks of doors, lifts, and alarms
However, the quality and frequency of these visits can vary significantly based on your contract terms. Basic contracts may only include minimal preventative tasks, while more comprehensive plans offer proactive fault findings and performance optimisation.
Here’s why they matter:
- Infrequent of low-quality maintenance can lead to avoidable breakdowns
- Lack of proper documentation can jeopardise compliance
- Missed minor faults may evolve into major repair costs
Why You Need To Combine
Think of your lift management strategy like vehicle care:
- LOLER inspections are your legal check up, like an MOT for your lift, which confirms whether it is safe to operate.
- Independent Lift inspections are your full diagnostics and performance check helping you plan ahead and make smart decisions.
- Maintenance visits are the regular servicing necessary to keep things running, but variable in quality depending on the provider.
By combining all there you can:
- Spot reliability issues early
- Ensure you’re receiving value from your maintenance provider
- Identify safety concerns before they escalate
- Budget more confidently for major works
- Stay compliant and extend asset life
In Summary
While LOLER inspections are a legal must, they don’t give you the full picture of your lift’s condition or how well it’s being looked after.
That’s where independent lift inspections come in. They help you take a proactive approach to lift management, ensuring you stay compliant, extend the lifespan of your assets, and get the best return from your maintenance provider.
Whether you’re managing one building or an entire portfolio, combining LOLER inspections, independent lift inspections, and proper maintenance is the most effective way to protect your users, your budgets, and your peace of mind.