Compliance guide
LOLER & Machinery Inspections
LOLER is narrower than most people assume — here's what it actually covers, what applies to general grounds machinery instead, and how to keep good inspection records either way.
What is LOLER and what equipment does it actually cover?
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) apply specifically to lifting equipment — things like hoists, vehicle lifts, cranes and certain attachments used to lift loads. Most day-to-day grounds machinery — mowers, tractors, utility vehicles — isn't lifting equipment and isn't covered by LOLER. If your site uses genuine lifting equipment (for example, a vehicle lift in a maintenance workshop), that's where LOLER applies; for everything else, the relevant regulation is generally PUWER (the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations), which places a general duty to maintain equipment in efficient working order.
What records does LOLER require for genuine lifting equipment?
Where LOLER applies, it requires periodic thorough examination by a competent person — commonly cited as every 6 months for equipment used to lift people, and every 12 months for other lifting equipment, or in line with an examination scheme — plus a report of that examination. Intervals depend on the specific equipment and how it's used, so always confirm the current requirement with the equipment's examination scheme or a competent person.
How does TurfHubHQ help log machinery inspections?
TurfHubHQ's Machinery module gives every machine a real pre-start checklist — 17 items including guards, brakes, steering and leaks — completed by staff before use, with critical issues flagged automatically and a manager review log of every check. That supports good routine inspection record-keeping generally; it isn't a substitute for a LOLER thorough examination by a competent person where LOLER genuinely applies to a piece of lifting equipment.
General information, not advice
This page is general information to help you understand the topic — it is not legal or professional advice. Requirements vary by equipment, product and site; always confirm current requirements with HSE guidance, your product label, or a qualified advisor.