How often does a forklift LOLER examination fall due?

Every 6 months for equipment used to lift people and for lifting accessories, and every 12 months for other lifting equipment. A competent person's examination scheme can set different intervals. A forklift lifting only loads usually sits in the 12-month category; one fitted with a working platform to lift people sits in the 6-month one.

How often does a forklift need a LOLER thorough examination?

Unless an examination scheme sets others, HSE's intervals are 6 months for lifting equipment and accessories used to lift people and for all lifting accessories. All other lifting equipment is every 12 months. A forklift used only to lift loads is in the 12-month category; one used to lift people, the 6-month. Confirm with your competent person.

Is a forklift service the same as a LOLER examination?

No. A service is maintenance under the manufacturer's schedule and has no statutory interval. A thorough examination is a statutory, systematic and detailed examination of the lifting equipment and safety-critical parts by a competent person, with a written report. HSE says the competent person should not be the same person who does the routine maintenance.

What must a LOLER report contain?

The information required by LOLER Schedule 1. That includes the examination date, the date the next thorough examination is due, and any defects that are or could become a danger to people. Serious defects must be reported verbally to the dutyholder immediately, then in writing, with a copy to the enforcing authority.

Can our own mechanic do the thorough examination?

Only if they are genuinely competent and sufficiently independent and impartial. HSE says in-house examination is acceptable provided it is made without fear or favour. But it should not be the same person who undertakes the routine maintenance of that equipment, because they would be assessing their own work.

Guide

Forklift LOLER thorough examination: intervals and duties

Updated 2026-08-14

This is the statutory one. It is not a service, it is not an MOT, and the person who does it should not be the person who maintains the truck.

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What a thorough examination of a forklift is

HSE's definition: "a systematic and detailed examination of the equipment and safety-critical parts, carried out at specified intervals by a competent person who must then complete a written report". It covers mast, chains, forks, carriage, hydraulics and other safety-critical parts (HSE). The rest of the truck falls under PUWER.

The intervals

HSE sets them by what the equipment is used for, not by what it is called. Unless there is an examination scheme specifying other intervals, thorough examinations should be conducted every:

6 months, for lifting equipment and any associated accessories used to lift people
6 months, for all lifting accessories
12 months, for all other lifting equipment

Applying that to a forklift: a truck lifting only loads is in the third category. One lifting people, say with a fitted working platform, is in the first. Chains, slings and jibs used with it are lifting accessories, in the 6-month category. That application is ours, not a quotation from HSE: confirm the category with your competent person.

You also have a choice HSE spells out: examine at those fixed intervals, or examine in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person. A scheme must identify the parts to be examined, the methods, and the intervals, and you must be able to produce a written copy.

The other times an examination is required

Before use for the first time, unless the equipment has a Declaration of Conformity less than one year old and was not assembled on site.
After assembly, and before use at each location, for equipment that needs assembly or installation.
Following exceptional circumstances liable to jeopardise safety: damage or failure, long periods out of use, or major changes such as modification or replacement of critical parts.

Who is a competent person

HSE says the term is not defined in law, and quotes the LOLER Approved Code of Practice. The examiner should have such appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the equipment as will enable them to detect defects or weaknesses. They should also be able to assess their importance for safety and continued use.

They may be employed by another organisation, but need not be, provided they are sufficiently independent and impartial. HSE adds a line worth quoting to any supplier who wants one visit for everything. This should not be the same person who undertakes routine maintenance of the equipment, as they would then be assessing their own maintenance work.

The report

The competent person must complete a written report containing the information required by LOLER Schedule 1, including:

the examination date;
the date the next thorough examination is due;
any defects found which are, or could become, a danger to people.

Where serious defects are found, HSE says the competent person must report this immediately and verbally to the dutyholder. A written report follows, with a copy to the relevant enforcing authority. Keep the reports: HSE expects records of all thorough examinations and inspections, and the Declarations of Conformity, to be retained and protected from unauthorised alteration.

Testing is not automatic

HSE notes that most lifting equipment does not need routine testing as part of the thorough examination, and some overload tests can cause damage. Where testing is needed, the competent person decides its need and nature, based on risk and the manufacturer's information. So if a quote includes a load test on every truck every time, ask why.