LOLER Thorough Examination Record

An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.

What a LOLER thorough examination record is

A thorough examination record (often associated with lifting-operations regimes such as LOLER) documents a detailed examination of lifting equipment — such as cranes, hoists, slings and accessories — carried out by a competent person to confirm its condition.

This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template and does not itself constitute a thorough examination — that is a competent-person task carried out at intervals set by the applicable law.

Purpose

• Record the competent-person examination of lifting equipment and accessories.
• Capture the condition, any defects and whether the equipment is safe to use.
• Note any defect that is or could become a danger to people.
• Provide a record that supports the wider inspection and maintenance regime.

Who completes it

• A competent person appointed by the employer to examine lifting equipment.
• Independent of the day-to-day operation, with the relevant knowledge and experience.
• The employer decides who is competent and arranges the examination.
• Operators’ pre-use checks are a separate, lighter task.

When it is used

• At intervals set by the applicable law for the type of lifting equipment.
• After installation or assembly at a new site or location.
• After exceptional circumstances that could affect safety, such as damage.
• The employer is responsible for ensuring examinations happen on time.

Typical fields

• Equipment identity, description and safe working load.
• Date of examination, the competent person and the next due date.
• What was examined and the method used.
• Defects found, whether they are a danger, and the timescale to remedy.
• A clear statement of whether the equipment is safe to use.
• Example fields only — adapt to the equipment and the applicable law.

Common mistakes

• Confusing a quick pre-use check with a thorough examination.
• Letting examinations lapse past the interval set by the law.
• Not acting on a defect identified as a danger.
• Failing to keep examination records with the equipment’s history.

Document workflow

The examination record sits above the operator’s pre-use checks and alongside the planned maintenance record. A defect identified as a danger should trigger removal from service, a breakdown or repair record, and a re-examination before return to use.

See the related documents below for what is commonly used with and completed after a thorough examination record.

Retention (high level)

Examination records are typically kept for a period set by the applicable law and the employer’s duties, often until the next examination or longer for certain equipment. This page does not state a required period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.

Completing and sharing as a PDF

Examination records are commonly issued and stored as PDFs with the equipment’s history. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the examination official or guarantee compliance.

Employer checklist

• Arrange examinations by a competent person at the required intervals.
• Act promptly on any defect identified as a danger.
• Keep examination, maintenance and pre-use records together.
• Make sure equipment that is unsafe is not used.

Operator notes

• Do not use lifting equipment that is overdue for examination or marked unsafe.
• Report anything that suggests damage or wear between examinations.
• Carry out your own pre-use checks as well.

Country considerations

Requirements for examining lifting equipment, the intervals and the official authority vary by country. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee of validity.

Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.

Who is responsible

The employer is responsible for ensuring lifting equipment is thoroughly examined by a competent person, that defects are acted on, and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not constitute an examination and does not transfer responsibility.