Who Can Carry Out a LOLER Inspection?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that a LOLER inspection must be conducted by a "competent person" This ensures lifting equipment is safe to use, preventing accidents and maintaining legal compliance. Unlike routine maintenance, a thorough examination is a formal process requiring specific expertise.

A competent person is defined as someone who has:

• Sufficient Knowledge of the lifting equipment and LOLER regulations.
• Relevant experience in identifying defects and assessing risk.
• Independence to make impartial decisions about safety and compliance.

There is no official "LOLER licence" or government-issued qualification, but in practice, competent persons are usually independent engineers, accredited inspection bodies, or specialists with recognised training such as LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association) certification.

Can We Carry Out LOLER Inspections In-House?

Yes — in theory, a competent person could be an employee. However, there are two major considerations:

1. Independence: HSE advises that the person inspecting should not be the same individual responsible for day-to-day maintenance, to avoid conflicts of interest.
2. Expertise: Your employee must have the right training, qualifications, and practical experience to meet the legal definition of competence.

Inpractice, most organisations choose an external provider to ensure impartiality and compliance.

The Role of a Competent Person in LOLER

A competent person must:

• Identify defects and assess whether they pose an immediate risk.
• Determine when corrective action is required.
• Specify the frequency of future examinations (through a written scheme).
• Provide a thorough examination report that meets LOLER record-keeping requirements.

This role is central to LOLER compliance and workplace safety, making it critical to appoint someone who is demonstrably qualified and independent.

While LOLER inspections can be carried out in-house by a competent person, many businesses choose to have them conducted independently to ensure compliance and impartiality. If you’d like to learn more about professional inspection options, you can visit our LOLER Inspection Service page for guidance and support.

Key Takeaways

• A LOLER inspection must be carried out by a Competent person.
• Competence means sufficient knowledge, experience, and independence.
• While in-house inspections are possible, most businesses use external providers for impartiality.
• Professional LOLER inspection services help guarantee compliance and workplace safety.